Shumai Shrimp and Turkey Sausage Dumplings

These Chinese steamed Shumai Shrimp and Turkey Sausage Dumplings are succulent and spicy, a perfect dim sum, served along side a sweet chili dipping sauce!

These steamed Shumai Shrimp and Turkey Sausage Dumplings are succulent and spicy, and a great flavor combo, especially with the sweet chili dipping sauce. I've often served this for guests as a starter, but it's also a nice side for your main course. So grab your chopsticks and dig in!

Chinese "dim sum" is the best! Consider these the Spanish tapas of Asia! You can fill wonton wrappers with so many fabulous ingredients and it's so easy! My cooking partner, Damien, makes Shumai dumplings that are to die for! Man, I could eat these all day, and "dim sum!"

It's easy and fun to make these dumplings (wontons). Here's a quick instructional video to help you along! How to fold wontons. [Credit: Elaine Luo]

So, what is Dim Sum?

Dim sum is a traditional Chinese meal made up of small plates of dumplings and other snack dishes. The word dim sum is Cantonese and refers to small bite-sized dishes that are served in bamboo steamer baskets or on small plates. Dim sum dishes include an assortment of seafood, meat, and vegetable dishes that are prepared in various ways: steamed, fried, or baked.

Shumai (siu mai, shao mai)—These are thin, round wrappers in a cup shape and hold a filling — usually of pork, shrimp, or a combination of the two — and often a small amount of vegetables like bamboo shoots, black mushrooms, and water chestnuts.  (Jessica Spengler/ Flickr)

Shrimp dumpling (har gow, xia jiao)— One of the most popular dishes at dim sum, these are chunks of shrimp encased in a thin translucent dumpling wrapper and served in a bamboo steamer. (Charles Haynes/ Flickr)

Soup dumplings (xiaolong bao) — Commonly referred to as ‘soup dumplings,’ these delicate items are filled with hot broth and pork and are served in a bamboo steamer. Though these are originally from Shanghai, their national popularity has secured their status as a dim sum staple. (Ted Murphy/Flickr)

You can shape these dumplings any way you'd prefer (like these rounder dumplings). There are no rules!

How to make Shumai shrimp and turkey sausage dumplings:

1. Place a moist towel over the store-bought wonton wrappers so they don’t dry out. Thoroughly mix together in a large bowl the shrimp, turkey sausage, garlic, ginger, green onions, cilantro, salt and pepper.
2. Taking one wonton wrapper at a time, place a teaspoon full of mixture into center of wrapper. Fold over top side of the wrapper so points meet securing with a little egg wash. Taking both corners, fold over each other using a little egg wash to secure the ends. Repeat to form the remaining dumplings.
3. Bring water to a boil in a wok, about 1.5 inches up. Line a bamboo steamer with parchment paper punched with holes to let steam through and sprayed with cooking spray so the dumplings won’t stick. Place the dumplings about one inch apart in the bamboo steamer and cover. Cook dumplings for 8 to 10 minutes. Serve hot with the sweet chili dipping sauce on the side.

Place the dumplings in a bamboo steamer. You can use parchment paper underneath or spray with cooking spray so it doesn't stick.

Gorgeous Chinese steamed Shumai Shrimp and Turkey Sausage Dumplings are succulent and spicy, a perfect dim sum, and served along side a sweet chili dipping sauce!

TIPS & TRICKS:

• I used store-bought wonton wrappers, available everywhere now, even at Target! Cover with a damp towel so they don't dry out while you're forming the dumplings.
• Using a food processor to finely chop the shrimp will make your life so much easier! You’ll thank me later! 😉
• If you don't want to use an egg wash to seal the dumplings, water will work just as well.
• If you don’t have a bamboo steamer you can also use a regular steamer in a pot sprayed with cooking spray.
• Another way to form the dumplings is by placing a teaspoon in the center of the wonton wrapper and pulling up all sides to form a little package, securing with egg wash or water.

WANT MORE?

If you like this recipe, you’re going to love my Spicy Crab Salad and Guacamole Wonton Cups. They’re so easy to make, baked not fried, and super healthy. Whip these out at your next football get-together and watch your friends “ooh and ahh!”

Update Notes: This post was originally published on January 4, 2016, but was republished with slight text changes and additions, like new images, step-by-step instructions, and tips in September 2019.

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