SaurabhDumplings are very versatile dishes and they became popular on a worldwide scale.
Originally, dumplings are thin layers of dough filled with various mixes to make for some delicious and bite-sized treats. They can be steamed, boiled, or fried, and they can have a sweet or savory flavor according to the type of filling they come with.
Even if dumplings can be quite sufficient by themselves, you might wonder what types of side dishes you can pair them with to complete your meal and make it even tastier and more filling.
The best side dishes that go great with dumplings include Asian chicken noodle soup, egg drop soup, bean salad, tomato salad, rice, quinoa, or some of the following meals.
Let’s take a look at each side dish that goes well with dumplings and make a pick.
15 Side Dishes That Go Great With Dumplings
Use the following ideas as inspiration when you choose a side dish for your dumplings.
With such an adaptable dish like dumplings are, you can easily combine them with a variety of foods to satisfy your needs.
1. Asian chicken noodle soup
One of the best dishes you can serve with dumplings is the Asian chicken noodle soup.
This soup comes with delicious flavors such as garlic, ginger, hot chili, and tender chicken that will complement the dumplings beautifully.
It goes with any type of savory dumplings. You can consume them on a separate plate. Or you can add them to this tasty Asian chicken noodle soup.
If you like noodles and dumplings, there is no better way to combine them but in a tasty soup that makes for a healthy and filling meal.
2. Egg drop soup
Egg drop soup is another great soup that goes extremely well with any savory dumplings of your choice.
If you are in an Asian market, you might find this soup premade or in instant versions, but even if you want to cook it from scratch it is easy to make. And when the egg drop soup is done, drop a few dumplings in it and enjoy.
We suggest adding the dumplings when the egg drop soup is warm. However, not steaming hot as you don’t want them to get cooked more or even come undone.
3. Bean salad
When it comes to bean salad, the sky is the limit.
You can use any types of beans you like and combine them with some spinach or lettuce, add some cheese and maybe some red pepper and you get a delicious and filling salad in a matter of minutes.
Dumplings will go great with such a side dish that takes close to nothing to prepare at home, especially if you use canned beans. Use your favorite seasonings as well as a dressing that you love to enjoy this combination even more!
4. Tomato salad
A tomato salad might seem like a basic dish but combined with your favorite savory dumplings it can create a true delicacy.
All you need is tomatoes, onion, cucumbers, and maybe other veggies according to your personal preference and a yummy dressing to go with that.
However, regardless of what other veggies you might be tempted to use, make sure you keep the tomatoes in the biggest quantity. They are the secret to a great side dish for dumplings.
5. Rice
Rice will also surprise you when you combine it with dumplings.
You can prepare any type of rice and in any recipe you prefer, from plain rice to a complex risotto and it will still taste great with your dumplings. However, brown rice tends to taste the best when you eat it with dumplings.
The texture of brown rice is firmer than white rice and the crunchiness of it goes great with the softness of your dumplings’ dough.
6. Quinoa
A healthier option with fewer calories and one of the cereals you can also find in diets is quinoa. Quinoa is rich in fiber and easy to prepare.
You can cook it plain and season it the way you want so it will go with your dumplings. Or you can combine it with different chopped veggies such as peppers and even corn.
Between quinoa and rice, you can find one that works for your side dish along with dumplings, if you want a more consistent meal.
7. Sauteed asparagus
Different sauteed veggies will make for a great side dish for savory dumplings. However, asparagus is one of your best choices.
All you need is to saute your asparagus in olive oil and add salt, pepper, and garlic to it in order to give it a unique and tasty flavor. Be careful to not cook the asparagus too long because you want it to remain crispy and not get mushy.
8. Sauteed mushrooms
If your dumplings don’t contain mushrooms in their filling, you can use some mushrooms to put together a great side dish.
You can use any type of mushrooms you prefer and add your favorite seasonings to give them a strong and tasty flavor. Just saute or fry the mushrooms in olive oil and add them next to your dumplings for a healthy and delicious lunch or dinner.
9. Stir-fries
Stir-fries can be a meal on their own and dumplings can be a meal on their own but combined they are simply hard to resist.
Get your favorite stir fry mix and cook it with some tasty seasonings before you add it on the same plate with your dumplings. You can also fry your dumplings too for 1-2 minutes along with your stir fry so you get the flavors combined better.
This combination is one of the fastest meals you can put together and it will taste very good.
10. Chilli sauce
If you are not looking for a fancy side dish to enjoy with your dumplings, you can simply use some chili sauce on them as a topping.
Chilli sauce will completely change the flavor of your dumplings and add a lot more taste. This is actually a great culinary trick if you ended up with dumplings that have somewhat of a bland flavor. Or if you want to finish up some leftover dumplings.
Simply add a few drops of chili sauce and your dumplings will have a completely different taste!
11. Guacamole
Guacamole is a dip that is famous worldwide. And paired with dumplings it will not disappoint.
You can get guacamole already made from your grocery store. Or you can put it together at home in just a few minutes and use it to dip your dumplings in it.
This is one of the best combinations you can make as it is both tasty and healthy. You will also find it easy to eat if you are looking for a more filling snack.
12. Chocolate, vanilla, caramel toppings
Dumplings are not just savory. However, they can also be sweet if they include a filling that has sugar or fruits and different sweet creams.
This is why you can enjoy your dumplings with a topping of caramel, vanilla, chocolate, or even a fruit syrup of your choice.
Simply pour as much as you like of either one of these toppings on top of your dumplings and enjoy an even tastier dessert!
13. Asian cucumber salad
One of the easiest salads you can prepare is the Asian cucumber salad. It will complement your dumplings in a delicious way!
All you need to make this salad is cucumbers and a dressing of your choice. You can make it in advance and store it in the fridge for up to four days.
You can add some cucumber salad next to your dumplings and have a healthy meal that tastes extremely good too.
14. Fruit salad
You can also enjoy your sweet dumplings with some tasty fruit salad.
They go great with bananas due to the sweet dough that they are wrapped in. But you can use any fruits you prefer to put together a delicious dessert in just a few minutes.
When you choose the fruits for your salad though, consider the type of filling you added to your dumplings as well because you want them to be complimentary.
15. Broccoli
Broccoli, like asparagus, is a type of green veggie that will go great with any savory dumplings.
It doesn’t have a strong flavor and you can steam it, fry it, or bake it with some cheese on top. Use your broccoli just the way you like it to make a side dish for your dumplings. You will definitely not regret it.
Dinner Ideas With Dumplings
If you want to enjoy some dumplings for dinner, your best choices would be to combine them with rice, quinoa, or stir-fries.
Depending on the type of dumplings you have, you can also pair them with green vegetables, especially if they contain meat because green veggies help with digestion. However, ultimately, you can eat your dumplings exactly how you like them at any hour of the day.
What Meal Are Dumplings Usually Served At?
Dumplings are usually part of soups or left as snacks on the table for people to eat with other available dishes. They are suitable for lunch, dinner but also for a fast breakfast.
You can eat them as snacks between meals or as a dessert if you make sweet dumplings. The beauty of this Asian specialty is exactly the fact that you can enjoy it just the way you want and it will still taste delicious.
Should Dumplings Be Eaten Hot Or Cold?
Dumplings can be eaten both hot and cold. However, most people tend to prefer them hot as they will taste much better and you will be able to feel each flavor inside of them.
You can still combine cold dumplings with a hot soup or stew and they will be the perfect ingredient to balance the two temperature extremes.
If you are making dessert dumplings, you can also enjoy them both cold and hot. Unlike savory dumplings, the sweet ones might actually taste better cold.
It all comes down to personal preferences.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there is a multitude of ways that you can enjoy dumplings, being them savory or sweet ones. You can even let your imagination run free and create your own combinations.
Dumplings are very tasty on their own but they will become a more wholesome meal if you pair them with any of the side dishes in this guide.
