Trader Joe’s Viral Dumpling Bake
This Trader Joe’s Dumpling Bake is a cozy, flavor-packed dinner made with chicken dumplings baked in a creamy coconut milk and red Thai curry sauce. Finished with a drizzle of chili oil crunch, it’s an easy recipe that’s rich, comforting, and full of flavor, there’s no question why it went viral.
If you’ve been anywhere near TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen the viral Trader Joe’s Dumpling Bake — and trust me, it’s worth the hype. It’s everything you love about a flavor packed meal but with zero effort: tender dumplings baked right in a creamy coconut milk and red Thai curry sauce, then finished with a drizzle of chili oil crunch for that spicy, savory kick.
If you’re making it for dinner tonight, pair it with something crisp and light like a spicy cucumber salad, bell pepper salad, or my delicious carrot salad. You end up with a lot of sauce after the dumplings bake which would taste so good spooned over Coconut Rice. You could also add steamed edamame, or garlic green beans. These easy sides balance the rich, saucy dumplings and turn it into a complete, feel-good dinner.
And because I’m always about a little something sweet, I like to keep dessert light so a berry salad would taste so refreshing after a meal like this, one of my chia puddings (like mango coconut or strawberry), or the viral biscoff cheesecake for something creamy but still balanced. If you’re craving chocolate, my date brownie bites or chocolate quinoa crisps are the perfect way to end the meal without it feeling too heavy
Featured Recipe Review
This just skyrocketed to the top of my favorite easy recipes. I have two littles and am always running short on time between work, daycare pickup, and bedtime. To be able to enjoy a flavorful dish with multiple textures but put in minimal effort is an actual dream.
I would add Trader Joe’s Crunchy Chili Onion to the recipe list because that offered so much spice and texture, and also fresh green onion as a final garnish. Excited to try with other veggies suggested here!
Meredith
How To Make
In a baking dish, mix together the coconut milk, red thai curry, soyaki, and garlic.
Add spinach and layer on the chicken frozen dumplings.
Cover with foil and bake for 35-40 minutes. Top with chili oil crunch and enjoy!
Tips and Tricks
- Don’t thaw the dumplings first: Add them straight from the freezer — they hold their shape better and won’t turn mushy while baking.
- Cover tightly with foil: Trapping the steam helps cook the dumplings through and keeps the sauce from drying out. If you like a crispier top, remove the foil for the last 5–10 minutes of baking.
- Customize the spice level: Red Thai curry and chili oil crunch both bring heat, so taste your sauce before baking. Add more soyaki for sweetness or a squeeze of lime juice to balance the flavors.
- Add veggies for color and texture: Spinach is great, but you can also toss in bell peppers, mushrooms, or shredded carrots to make it heartier and even more nutrient-packed.
How to Store
Leftovers reheat beautifully — just store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When ready to enjoy, reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through, adding a splash of coconut milk or broth to loosen up the sauce if needed.
This dish isn’t ideal for freezing since the dumplings can lose their texture, but it’s a great make-ahead meal for busy weeknights.
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If you make this Trader Joe’s Dumpling Bake, I would really appreciate a comment and rating down below the recipe card. Don’t forget to take a picture and tag me over on Instagram, Tiktok, or Pinterest!
Viral Trader Joe’s Dumpling Bake
Ingredients
- 1 13.5 oz can full-fat coconut milk
- ½ 11 oz bottle red Thai curry sauce
- 3 Tbsp Soyaki sauce (Trader Joe’s recommended)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1-2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 16oz bag frozen chicken gyoza (potstickers)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a medium baking dish, add the coconut milk, ½ bottle of red Thai curry sauce, soyaki sauce, and minced garlic. Whisk everything together until fully combined and smooth. This will be your creamy, flavorful base.
- Evenly scatter the spinach over the sauce. Then place the frozen chicken dumplings directly on top, arranging them in a single layer so they cook evenly and soak up all the flavor from the sauce as they bake.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with foil to trap in moisture. Transfer to the oven and bake at 35–40 minutes, or until the dumplings are fully heated through and tender, and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.
- Remove from the oven and carefully uncover. Give the sauce a gentle stir if desired, then top with chili oil crunch for added heat and texture. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Use your favorite dumplings: Any frozen dumplings work here- chicken, pork, shrimp, or even veggie! Just make sure they’re fully frozen when they go in the oven (no need to thaw).
- Make it creamy or brothy: For a thicker, creamier sauce, use more coconut milk and bake uncovered toward the end. For a lighter, soupier version, add a splash of broth before baking.
- Don’t let that sauce go to waste: Spoon any leftover sauce over rice, noodles, or roasted veggies — it’s creamy, savory, and too good not to use. You can even save it for tomorrow’s lunch and toss it with leftover chicken or tofu for a quick meal.
SO freaking good
Missing the oven temp…
I’m obviously blind, I see it 🤭
hope you give it a try!!
I did as the recipe says came out remarkable. I did use some season pepper though after spooning over the rice.
I had been seen this and had to try it, SO, SO good! I just ordered everything in gluten free options to make for my daughter when she’s home from
College this weekend.
Delicious! I added broccoli. I think if you want to bump up the veggies, sliced red or green pepper would be good too. Thanks!
I used a few tablespoons of red curry paste instead of the Trader Joe’s red curry sauce. I also added one chopped red bell pepper and added some finely shredded carrots. After I finished baking it, I sprinkled chopped green onions on the top.It was really good everybody enjoyed it.
Absolutely delicious!!! And so easy to prepare. Thank you.
Delicious! I added a bag of fresh Trader Joe’s bok choy. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Quick, Easy and Delicious! Great recipe…
I love this recipe. We are vegetarian so I use the Thai Vegetabke Gyoza instead of chicken dumplings. I just cook it on the burner rather than the oven for simplicity. Everyone who tries it loves it. And soooo easy. Thank you.
Perfect as written. Great balance of flavors. Served with rice and naan.
Quick, easy, delish!
so happy to hear it! xx
This one is going into regular rotation!
This was so easy and delicious! I used a small bag of spinach, but would use a larger one in the future. I served it with Scallion Rice. It definitely needs rice to bread to sop up all that wonderful sauce!
This just skyrocketed to the top of my favorite easy recipes. I have two littles and am always running short on time between work, daycare pickup, and bedtime. To be able to enjoy a flavorful dish with multiple textures but put in minimal effort is an actual dream.
I would add Trader Joe’s Crunchy Chili Onion to the recipe list because that offered so much spice and texture, and also fresh green onion as a final garnish. Excited to try with other veggies suggested here!
This made my day — thank you for taking the time to share this 💛 I’m so glad it fit into that busy work/daycare/bedtime window (that stretch is no joke). And YES to the Trader Joe’s Crunchy Chili Onion + green onion combo — such a good call for extra texture and heat. Love hearing how you made it your own!
Holy Moses, this is so delicious!! Forgot spinach the first time- definitely love it with the spinach more! Also have started roasting up some veggies to have on the side (onion, red bell, sweet potatoes) to help use up the sauce. My favorite lunch to make for my husband and myself when the kids are at school! Thank you so much!!
Holy Moses made me laugh 😂 I’m SO glad you loved it!! And yes — the spinach really takes it over the top. Roasted onions, red bell, and sweet potatoes on the side is such a smart move for soaking up that sauce. I love that this has become a go-to lunch for you and your husband 🥹💛
I doubled the recipe and it took more than 40 minutes, but, so good !
This is a great recipe! I forgot the spinach, and baked it for almost 45 minutes. Topped with green onion & TJ’s chili sauce, served over rice. Super easy and forgiving of my lack of attention
Made this times 6 fo a homeless drop in center I volunteer at; HUGE hit. Everyone raved and th best comment was, “Finally, something different!”. Will make again.
My husband said WOW! This is a keeper, we will enjoy it again. I made it with spinach and bok choy and I would add more vegetables.
Hi
Would love to try this. Are we mincing the garlic? Thanks
yes! sorry about that 🙂 hope you love it!
Size baking dish? Size bottle red curry? Would be helpful, thanks.
hi there, the red curry from trader joes is 11oz and the baking dish is 9.1″w x 13″d x 2.2″h but any sized baking dish will work 🙂
What size can of coconut milk? I have three sizes!!!
13.5oz 🙂
I’ve made this twice now and it always comes out so oily! What am I doing wrong? I’m following the recipe exactly.😔
Hi Becka! What type of canned coconut milk are you using? Is there a chance it might be coconut cream? Some canned coconut milks contain a lot of coconut oil, so when you open the can you might see a firm white layer and a more translucent layer (that’s the coconut oil). If that’s the case, the oil could be what’s making the dish turn out oily. If your coconut milk is separated like this, try using just the creamy white part and leave the oily layer behind.
i use the basic recipe (doubled) but use thinly slice chicken breasts in the pan as to the duplings, and add in 2tbsp of natural peanut butter when making the sauce. everyone goes wild for it!
I have loved this recipe! It’s one of my go to ones now for bringing food to others as well since it’s so easy and cozy! I have found I can add shredded carrots and chopped broccoli right into the pan and it cooks up great. I also personally don’t like too wily of spinach so I just throw mine in right after it has finished cooking and is awesome! Thanks for this absolute keeper!
Hi! Wondering if the temp is supposed to be 400? Seems to be the case any other similar recipes. I had to raise my temp at about 35 minutes as the liquid was not super hot. Super yummy tho
Hi!! Yes, 350°F is correct for this one 😊 ovens can vary a bit, so sometimes it just needs a little extra time to get that bubbling, hot center. I’m so glad you still loved it!! 🥹
I looooove this recipe! It’s so easy and minimal effort for such a high reward. I love that I can easily get all the items at Trader Joe’s, and that the spice level is customizable. I topped with chili crunch as written, plus sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and a bit of spicy mayo. This one is a keeper!!
woopp woop! sounds awesome!! so glad you enjoyed it!!
The Best quick & delicious recipe I’ve made in a long time. I added small diced pieces of drained tofu. Great to adjust for a vegetarian meal.
So glad you enjoyed it!!
I’ve made this and other variations a few times now. I switched to using reduced fat coconut milk and always use vegetable gyoza. I also add the spinach near the end so it’s still vibrant. I think bell peppers would pair well with this…maybe eggplant and zucchini as well but could get pretty mushy at the end.
Can you microwave after for 30 seconds to reheat or not recommended?
yes you can! fresh is always best but the leftovers are still pretty delicious!
Easily the most delicious cheap and easy recipes going. The Red curry isn’t really spicy at all and between the Soyaki and coconut milk, it is more savory, but bursting with authentic flavors- I’ve done it a bunch and even converted someone who said they didn’t like Thai food. I am busy and tired/lazy- so I have the garlic and also ginger frozen “dots” on hand and match on a one to one basis.
I have chili crisp available on the table, but prefer to garnish with chopped scallions, cilantro and a good squeeze of lime juice right before serving. A+++ marks from this busy foodie!!
Amazing recipe!!! The whole family enjoyed it and had seconds. It’s that warm comfort meal without a lot of effort, which I love! Thank you!!!
This recipe is so delicious! I’ve made it several times! I also add sesame oil and umami black garlic sauce. I use Trader Joe’s chicken/cilantro dumplings and their shrimp dumplings.
This is a great recipe! I’m always looking to get more protein into meals, so I now make the sauce and add flattened raw chicken breasts to it. Once it’s cooked, I slice the chicken and put it back into the sauce. We serve it over brown rice, with broccoli. I do add a few dumplings to the pan, but only a couple each and it’s really, really good. Great leftovers, too!
Hi Kim! I love doing that too! Such a great way to turn it into a complete meal. 🤍 The chicken, rice, and broccoli combo is so good, and I bet the dumplings make it even better. So glad you enjoyed it, and thank you for sharing your twist on the recipe! 😊
We love this and it’s now on regular rotation. I also add some cooked ground pork and shiitake mushrooms to just give it an extra layer. Huge success in my house!
Best recipe ever!!! So delicious and sooo easy! I add lots of green onions and turns out perfect!! Highly recommend!!
I really like this recipe, but the amount of spinach is way off. 1 to 2 cups is not enough. I put in an entire 6oz bag (by weight) and it still could have used more. Spinach cooks down a lot!
This recipe is very tasty! It really needs to bake at 400 degrees F for an hour!
This dinner was great. We were out of town and I needed to be able to grab a whole family meal from Trader Joe’s and this hit the spot. Lots of flavor and the whole family ( even the teenagers) loved it. I’m using the extra/ left over sauce for my next meal.
So happy to hear it!!
Outstanding recipe but… with only one (1 lb) bag of gyoza, there was a ton of leftover sauce. You could easily do two bags. And the spinach level should be doubled or tripled as it cooks down soooo much in the sauce.
This was really good! It took much longer to bake, probably around 50 min to get fully warm and bubbly. The chili oil crunch makes it, without it it was just ehhh. But that took it to a whole other flavor level.
Served over some Trader Joe’s microwave jasmine rice for more of a complete meal but wow this was delicious!