Name: Potsticker Stir-Fry Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons rice vinegar or 3 tablespoons Chinese black vinegar; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 2 tablespoons water; 1 teaspoon cornstarch; 1 teaspoon granulated sugar; 1/2 teaspoon Asian sesame seed oil; 12 frozen potstickers or 16 frozen gyoza (do not thaw, about 12 ounces total); 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons vegetable oil, divided; 1/4 cup water; 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced 1/4-inch thick; Kosher salt, to taste; 8 ounces asparagus (about 1/2 bunch), cut into 1-inch pieces; 1 medium carrot, peeled and cut on the diagonal into 1/4-inch-thick ovals; 1 tablespoon finely chopped peeled fresh ginger; 2 medium scallions, thinly sliced

Ingredients

2 tablespoons rice vinegar or 3 tablespoons Chinese black vinegar

2 tablespoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons water

1 teaspoon cornstarch

1 teaspoon granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon Asian sesame seed oil

12 frozen pot stickers or 16 frozen gyoza (about 12 ounces total), do not thaw

2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons vegetable oil, divided

1/4 cup water

8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced 1/4-inch thick

Kosher salt

8 ounces asparagus (about 1/2 bunch), cut into 1-inch pieces

1 medium carrot, peeled and cut on the diagonal into 1/4-inch-thick ovals

1 tablespoon finely chopped peeled fresh ginger

2 medium scallions, thinly sliced

Instructions

Step 1: Whisk together the rice vinegar or Chinese black vinegar, soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of water, cornstarch, sugar, and sesame oil in a small bowl until the cornstarch is fully dissolved. Set the sauce aside.

Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Arrange the frozen potstickers or gyoza pleat-side up in a single layer. Cook undisturbed until the bottoms turn light golden-brown, about 3 minutes.

Step 3: Carefully add 1/4 cup of water to the pan (watch for oil splatters). Cover and cook for 3 minutes to steam the dumplings. Uncover and use tongs to turn the dumplings onto their unpleated sides. Continue cooking uncovered until all the water evaporates, the filling is cooked through, and the unpleated sides are golden-brown, about 3 more minutes. Transfer the dumplings to a large plate.

Step 4: Add 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil to the same pan, then add the sliced mushrooms. Season lightly with kosher salt and stir-fry until the mushrooms are browned and softened, about 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the mushrooms to the plate with the dumplings.

Step 5: Drizzle another teaspoon of oil into the pan, add the asparagus pieces and carrot slices, and season with salt. Stir-fry until the vegetables are crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Add the chopped ginger and stir-fry for an additional 30 seconds.

Step 6: Return the potstickers, mushrooms, and any accumulated juices to the pan and toss gently to combine. Whisk the sauce again to recombine and then pour it into the pan. Stir-fry everything together until the sauce thickens and coats the ingredients, about 30 seconds.

Step 7: Transfer the stir-fry to a serving dish and sprinkle with thinly sliced scallions. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Tips & Variations

Use Chinese black vinegar for a deeper, slightly smoky flavor; rice vinegar works well for a lighter taste.

Substitute cremini mushrooms with shiitake or button mushrooms if preferred.

Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a spicy kick.

For a vegetarian version, use vegetable-based dumplings or tofu potstickers.

Do not thaw frozen potstickers before cooking to ensure they crisp up properly.

FAQs

Can I use fresh potstickers instead of frozen?

Yes, but adjust the cooking time since fresh potstickers cook faster. Start by frying until golden, then steam with a shorter covered cook time to ensure they are cooked through without overcooking.

What can I substitute for Asian sesame seed oil?

If you don’t have Asian sesame seed oil, you can omit it or use a small amount of toasted sesame oil as a substitute to maintain the nutty flavor, but add it sparingly as it is quite strong.