Fans Have ‘Never Been More Excited’ For a Trader Joe’s Product

As someone who has lived in a college dorm for the past two years, I am always looking for the best microwave dinner I can find. Trader Joe’s is often my go-to for an easy meal, and a trip to TJ’s is never complete without buying some of their Steamed Soup Dumplings. I can’t leave the store without tossing one (or two) boxes into my cart. 

But no matter how much I loved the chicken and pork versions of these dumplings, I couldn’t stop thinking about the potential that a veggie-filled dumpling could have. Now, my dreams, and the dreams of many vegetarian Trader Joe’s fans, have finally come true. 

Trader Joe’s New Vegetable Steamed Soup Dumplings 

The grocery store chain known for unique food items and easy meals has now released a vegan version of its popular soup dumplings. Like the chicken and pork and ginger versions, these dumplings are balls of dough filled with a warm broth and filling. They come frozen and heat up into savory soup pockets of perfection. 

TJ’s says in the product listing that the Chinese Xiao Long Bao-inspired dumplings are a “darling” for the brand and an “instant sensation” among their customers. Due to its popularity, a vegan version was highly requested. To fulfill this demand, the beloved grocer cooked up a version that is made without gelatin and filled with a mix of jackfruit, carrot, cabbage, spinach, and ginger. Like its predecessors, a package of six vegetable dumplings sells for $3.49. 

Customers have shared their enthusiasm for the new product on Reddit. Vegetarian shoppers are especially excited to experience the hype. “FINALLY!!!!! I have wanted to try soup dumplings for so long,” one said. “Now I need them to include, like, 24 in a package,” another added.

How to Prepare Trader Joe’s Soup Dumplings

The consensus on Reddit seems to be that cooking the dumplings on a stovetop in a steamer is the way to go. One user found that, “when steamed, the wrapper expands and the dough is a good consistency.” They added that it prevents them from getting “mushy.” But, if you don't have a steamer (or, like me, the patience to wait 8 to 10 minutes while they cook), another option is to pop them in the microwave for approximately 2 minutes. 

Another user on Reddit recommended upgrading the meal by steaming them on cabbage and making a simple dipping sauce. The bed of cabbage adds something extra but also prevents the dumplings from sticking to the bottom of the steamer. 

How to Turn Soup Dumplings into a Meal

On their own, the soup dumplings make for a great snack. But to upgrade them to a more filling meal, I enjoy eating them on rice or with a handful of veggies such as broccoli or green beans. Trader Joe’s recommends eating them with their Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce or their Crunchy Chili Onion for a boost of flavor. 

Today, I cooked up my soup dumplings for lunch with some TJ’s Vegetable Fried Rice I had in the freezer and the Crunchy Chili Onion. I will say, that while I thought the flavor and texture were great, I found these dumplings to have a lot less soup than the two meat versions. I recommend microwaving them for a little less time than 2 minutes to keep them from getting too mushy.

If you have picked up a package of soup dumplings before, you probably know that finding the perfect method for eating them is half the fun. Trader Joe's recommends that the vegetable dumplings are eaten with the same method as their predecessors: nibbling or puncturing the side of the dumpling, slurping the soup, and then eating the rest of the dumpling. 

Now, it's time for me to go practice my soup dumpling eating skills and finish up the rest of this bowl.