If you love flavor-packed salads but crave something with a fun and satisfying crunch, the Viral Crispy Dumpling Salad is about to become your new obsession. Bursting with vibrant colors, fresh veggies, and irresistible crispy dumplings, this dish is living proof that salads are anything but boring. Tossed in a punchy, savory-sweet dressing, every bite delivers a delightful contrast of textures that just might steal the spotlight at your next lunch or dinner.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Making this salad is wonderfully straightforward, and each ingredient truly shines in its own way. You’ll find that together, they make the Viral Crispy Dumpling Salad as eye-catching as it is delicious, with plenty of flexibility for your own favorite add-ins.
- Frozen dumplings or potstickers (12): The star of the show; choose pork, chicken, or veggie dumplings for the base texture and flavor.
- Neutral oil (1 tablespoon): Ensures those dumplings fry up irresistibly crisp and golden without overpowering the dish.
- Shredded romaine lettuce (2 cups): Adds refreshing crunch and bright green color, making every forkful feel light.
- Shredded purple cabbage (1 cup): For eye-catching color and extra crunch that holds up to the dressing.
- Shredded carrots (1/2 cup): Brings sweetness and vibrant orange to the salad.
- Chopped green onions (1/4 cup): Delivers a mild, zesty kick to balance the flavors.
- Sesame seeds (1 tablespoon): For nutty aroma and that subtle “pop” with every bite.
- Chopped cilantro, optional (1 tablespoon): Adds a fresh, herbal boost—use as much or as little as you like.
- Soy sauce (2 tablespoons): The salty, umami foundation for the zippy dressing.
- Rice vinegar (1 tablespoon): Brings brightness and helps tie all the flavors together.
- Sesame oil (1 tablespoon): Adds unmistakable, toasty depth and a silky finish.
- Honey or maple syrup (1 tablespoon): Gives a touch of sweetness to balance the savory punch.
- Chili crisp or sriracha, optional (1 teaspoon): A customizable hit of spicy excitement—perfect if you love a little heat.
- Grated ginger (1 teaspoon): Zings things up with warmth and fragrance, elevating the whole salad.
- Minced garlic (1 clove): Gives the dressing a bold, aromatic flair.
How to Make Viral Crispy Dumpling Salad
Step 1: Whisk Up That Irresistible Dressing
Start by grabbing a small bowl and adding all the dressing ingredients: soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey or maple syrup, chili crisp or sriracha (if you like it spicy), grated ginger, and minced garlic. Whisk everything together until smooth and glossy. You’ll know it’s ready when the aroma makes your mouth water! Set the dressing aside and let those flavors mingle while you prep the rest of the Viral Crispy Dumpling Salad.
Step 2: Fry the Dumplings to Crispy Perfection
Heat your neutral oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Once the oil shimmers, arrange the frozen dumplings in the pan. Let them fry undisturbed for 6–8 minutes, or until the bottoms are beautifully golden and crisp and the dumplings are heated through. They should sound and look irresistibly crunchy! Once cooked, transfer the dumplings to a plate and let them cool for a minute or two—this helps the crispy edges stay put when tossed in the salad.
Step 3: Toss the Greens and Veggies
In a large salad bowl, combine your shredded romaine, purple cabbage, carrots, green onions, sesame seeds, and cilantro if using. Give everything a gentle toss so each veggie is evenly distributed. This combination creates the signature, rainbow-hued base for the Viral Crispy Dumpling Salad.
Step 4: Assemble and Dress the Salad
Add your fresh-from-the-pan crispy dumplings right on top of the veggies. Drizzle the vibrant, tangy-sweet dressing over everything just before serving. Use salad tongs to gently toss, ensuring every crunchy bite gets a glossy coating of flavor. Serve immediately, while the dumplings are at peak crispiness—you want each mouthful to have that perfect contrast of textures.
How to Serve Viral Crispy Dumpling Salad
Garnishes
To make your Viral Crispy Dumpling Salad extra special, sprinkle on a few more sesame seeds or a handful of fresh cilantro just before serving. For even more texture, add a squeeze of lime, crushed peanuts, or a drizzle of extra chili crisp on top—each adds color and a surprising layer of flavor.
Side Dishes
This salad is hearty enough to stand on its own, but it’s also fantastic alongside a bowl of miso soup, some steamed edamame, or a small plate of pickled veggies. If you want to balance out the richness of the dumplings, serve with a simple cucumber salad or a side of steamed rice.
Creative Ways to Present
Presentation makes all the difference with a dish as show-stopping as Viral Crispy Dumpling Salad! Try piling the salad on a large platter for sharing, arranging the dumplings in a tidy circle for a restaurant-style effect, or serving in individual bowls for a fuss-free lunch. Mini lettuce cups turn it into irresistible party bites, while mason jars make it portable for a picnic or work lunch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers—lucky you!—store the undressed salad and dumplings separately in airtight containers in the fridge. Combining the dressing with the greens only just before eating keeps things crisp, rather than soggy, ensuring your Viral Crispy Dumpling Salad holds up beautifully for a quick meal later.
Freezing
While the dumplings can be frozen (even after frying), the fresh veggies and salad elements don’t freeze well, as they tend to lose their crunch and color when thawed. To save time, consider making a big batch of crispy dumplings in advance and freezing them; then you’re just minutes away from assembling a fresh Viral Crispy Dumpling Salad whenever the craving strikes.
Reheating
To revive crispy dumplings after refrigeration or freezing, pop them into a nonstick skillet over medium heat, or use an air fryer for a few minutes until warmed through and crisp again. Avoid the microwave, if possible, since it tends to make them soft—and you definitely want that signature crunch for your Viral Crispy Dumpling Salad!
FAQs
Can I use homemade dumplings for this salad?
Absolutely! If you have homemade dumplings on hand, they’re a fantastic upgrade. Just cook them until crispy using the same instructions and proceed with the recipe for a personalized touch to your Viral Crispy Dumpling Salad.
How do I make this salad gluten-free?
Opt for gluten-free dumplings and swap out regular soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos. That way, you can enjoy every bite of the Viral Crispy Dumpling Salad without worrying about gluten.
What vegetables can I substitute or add?
This salad is so adaptable! Swap or add in sliced avocado, cucumbers, or edamame. Any fresh, crisp veggie works well—try bell peppers, snap peas, or even radish slivers for extra color and crunch in your Viral Crispy Dumpling Salad.
Is this salad good for meal prep?
It can be! Prep and store all the veggie components in advance, and keep the dressing and dumplings separate. Assemble everything just before eating, so you always get that freshly crisp, just-made texture classic to the Viral Crispy Dumpling Salad.
How spicy is the dressing?
As spicy as you want it to be! The recipe lets you control the heat with chili crisp or sriracha. Add a little for subtle warmth, or more if you love your Viral Crispy Dumpling Salad to bring the heat.
Final Thoughts
This is one salad that truly lives up to the hype! Whether you’re looking to upgrade your salad game or bring a viral favorite to your table, the Viral Crispy Dumpling Salad is sure to delight. Try it just once and you’ll see why it’s everyone’s new favorite way to eat dumplings—don’t be surprised if you find yourself making it on repeat!
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Viral Crispy Dumpling Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Main Course, Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Viral Crispy Dumpling Salad is a delicious and satisfying dish that combines crispy dumplings with a fresh and crunchy salad, all tossed in a flavorful Asian-inspired dressing. It’s the perfect balance of textures and flavors that will have your taste buds dancing!
Ingredients
Dumplings:
- 12 frozen dumplings or potstickers (pork, chicken, or vegetable)
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil (for frying)
Salad:
- 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
- 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro (optional)
Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon chili crisp or sriracha (optional)
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together all the dressing ingredients until smooth. Set aside.
- Cook the dumplings: Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add frozen dumplings and cook according to package instructions until golden brown and crispy. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine romaine, cabbage, carrots, green onions, sesame seeds, and cilantro. Add the crispy dumplings on top. Drizzle with the dressing just before serving and gently toss to coat everything evenly.
- Serve immediately while dumplings are still crisp.
Notes
- Customize with avocado, cucumber, or edamame.
- Use gluten-free dumplings and tamari for a gluten-free option.
- Works great with homemade or store-bought dumplings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
