The 12 Best Frozen Potsticker Brands, Ranked
Potstickers — a type of Asian-style dumpling — are typically filled with ingredients like minced pork, shrimp, garlic, ginger, and cabbage. Tightly wrapped in dough, potstickers are steamed and fried until they're piping hot. The end result is sticky, crispy, and highly flavorful. Potstickers are best paired with a sweet and savory dipping sauce that's usually made with a mix that includes soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, and vinegar.
While potstickers are definitely delicious, there's no doubt that making them from scratch is fairly time-consuming and labor-intensive. It's much easier to score a bag of frozen potstickers from the store and heat them up on the stove. Within a matter of minutes, you can turn a bag of frozen potstickers into a mouth-watering snack.
The only dilemma is knowing which frozen potsticker brands are worth your time. From the quality and flavor of the filling to the consistency of the wrappers, there's a lot to take into consideration when picking frozen potstickers. The only trick is making sure that you cook them correctly. The bottom should be golden brown and crispy, while the sides should be steamed and softened. This ensures that the potstickers will retain their signature textural complexity. Luckily for you, we've taken the time to share some of our favorites. Read on to see which brands.
12. 365
Whole Foods brand 365 has a wide range of over 3,000 products to choose from. Among its inventory of grocery goods is a box of frozen vegetable potstickers. The package comes with eight potstickers and includes ingredients like shiitake mushrooms, cabbage, carrots, and bok choy. We appreciate that 365 offers this vegetarian option, since so many other brands are meat-based. Another great thing about this product is that the back of the box includes a recipe for a spicy-sweet dipping sauce to complement these potstickers. Of course, it would be nice to have a packet of pre-made dipping sauce ready to go in the box, but offering a recipe instead is still a good move.
While some customers report that these don't have an authentic flavor to them, they're still a good value considering how affordable they are. Some have compared the flavor of the filling in these potstickers to veggie-based fast-food egg rolls, and we think that's pretty accurate. Others say these are a little on the bland side, and the fact that these don't come with dipping sauce isn't doing them any favors. If 365 added garlic and ginger to the recipe, it would give the flavor of these a major boost and it probably would have placed higher in our ranking. That said, these are still a solid, satisfying pick for the price.
11. Bibigo
Bibigo makes an assortment of food products inspired by Korean cuisine. Kimchi, fried rice, marinades, and fried chicken are just a few of the different offerings that Bibigo whips up. Bibigo also makes a variety of dumplings, which are referred to as mandu in Korean. In fact, potstickers seem to make up the bulk of the company's products, with over a dozen types of dumplings to choose from. Some of these various flavors include chicken and vegetable, beef, and pork. Aside from different fillings, Bibigo also has distinctive styles of dumplings to pick from, like mini wontons and bigger, fluffier soup dumplings.
The sheer range of various dumplings to select from makes Bibigo one of the best frozen potsticker brands on the market. Some of these products, like the chicken and vegetable steamed dumplings, even come in a convenient microwavable tray. This makes warming them up a breeze and cuts down on dishes, which is always a win in our book. Some of these potstickers also come with a premade dipping sauce. When it comes to range of flavors and convenience, there's no doubt that Bibigo is a wise choice.
Our only gripe here is that Bibigo doesn't seem to make its kimchi dumplings available in the United States, which is surprising, considering the company makes jars of kimchi. Bibigo should expand its kimchi dumplings to the American market so that more people can enjoy their glorious deliciousness.
10. Nasoya
Nasoya has been in business making plant-based food products since 1978. What started out as a tofu operation has expanded into other dishes like egg rolls, kimchi, and udon noodles. Nasoya's potstickers come in three different flavors and are made with organic, vegan ingredients. One of our favorite dumplings from this company is the Thai Basil, which is made with a mix that includes tofu, ginger, garlic, and basil. The filling in these potstickers has a fresh flavor, and the basil is pronounced enough to taste without being overpowering.
Nasoya's Korean BBQ Vegetable dumplings is another tasty choice. Korean cuisine is known for its delectable balance of sweet and savory flavors, which these potstickers do a delicious job of showcasing. These potstickers are made with a blend with various fillings like tofu and green onions with a touch of soy sauce and brown sugar.
One area where these potstickers could use some improvement is the texture. Some customers feel the consistency of these dumplings is a bit too coarse and mealy. Tasty as these dumplings are, they'd place a little higher on our list if the ingredients were cut into bigger chunks to provide more texture.
9. Tai Pei
If you're looking for some premade Asian-inspired meals and appetizers, Tai Pei has got you covered. If your appetite is a bit more substantial, the company has bigger meals like General Tso's Spicy Chicken and Beef and Broccoli rice bowls.
Tai Pei's products also include snacks like various egg rolls and potstickers. Tai Pei's potstickers come with a few different fillings, including chicken, pork, and honey sesame chicken. They also come in three different sizes, which provides flexibility for a single helping or making these for a group. Some of these potstickers come with a dipping sauce that's very easy to prepare. All you need to do is thaw the dipping sauce by placing it in some warm water while you cook the potstickers. The ingredient list on these potstickers is also surprisingly short, which is always a good sign, since it typically means there are less additives. The chicken potstickers mostly just contain chicken, cabbage, green onions, ginger, garlic, chicken stock, and salt. This gives Tai Pei's potstickers a less processed taste that makes it better than some of the company's competitors.
The only potential issue here is with the wrappers, but it really comes down to personal preferences. Some customers have reported that the dough on these dumplings is a little too sticky. Dumplings should unquestionably have some level of stickiness, but it's definitely unpleasant if they're too gummy. But this can usually be rectified by frying them a bit in some oil to provide some crispiness.
8. Annie Chun's
From ramen noodles to bottled peanut sauce, Annie Chun's has a diverse inventory of Asian cuisine. The company carries restaurant-quality sushi nori to make sushi rolls, microwavable rice bowls, and stir-fried noodle flavors like kung pao and pad thai. Annie Chun's also makes a few different types of potstickers, including shiitake mushroom, pork, and chicken.
Annie Chun's potstickers are flavorful and made with organic ingredients. The Shiitake and Vegetable potstickers are particularly delicious, thanks to a generous filling that includes mushrooms, carrots, and onions. The only downside here is that these potstickers are high sodium, containing over 1,000 milligrams per serving, which accounts for nearly half of the recommended daily sodium intake. Keep in mind that doesn't include any soy sauce-based dipping sauces that might be paired with the potstickers. While it's true that most pre-made frozen foods tend to be high in sodium, these are definitely on the higher end of the spectrum, so that's something to be aware of. If these were a bit healthier, they may have placed a little higher in our ranking. At the same time, these potstickers really are delicious — especially considering they're veggie-based. If you're a vegetarian looking for some yummy dumplings that you can easily warm up at home, Annie Chun's shiitake mushroom potstickers are a safe bet.
7. Feel Good Foods
Feel Good Foods was founded in an effort to provide delicious meals that are gluten-free and easy to prepare. The company doesn't use artificial ingredients and provides options that are vegan and vegetarian, and also uses antibiotic-free proteins along with cage-free eggs. Feel Good Foods' focus on using healthier, high-quality ingredients is part of the reason they surpass some of the other brands in this ranking. Of course, the taste of its potstickers is also a major factor.
Feel Good Foods makes a few different flavors of potstickers, including chicken, pork, and vegetable. Each flavor comes with a tamari dipping sauce that's made with ingredients like soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, ginger, and garlic. The dipping sauce is a higher caliber than some other brands, striking a great balance between sweet and savory.
The touch of scallions, cilantro, and black pepper really shines through in the chicken dumplings, which gives them some extra flavor. We also dig the rice noodles in the vegetable potstickers, as it adds some tasty texture to the filling. The only potential issue here has to do with the wrappers, which some customers have reported as falling apart during the cooking process. The risk of that happening is possible with any potsticker, though. Just be extra cautious when handling these.
6. Wow Bao
Wow Bao is sold in grocery stores and also available for delivery through restaurants. The company's menu offers street-food style meals like various styles of bao (bread-like steamed dumplings) that come in a wide range of flavors and fillings. Some bao flavors include teriyaki chicken, spicy Mongolian beef, and BBQ pork. Wow Bao also makes breakfast bao, with fillings like eggs, sausage, bacon, spinach, and mushrooms.
One of the highlights of the dumpling menu is the BBQ pork. These fluffy dumplings are filled with ingredients like tender pork shoulder, garlic, ginger, hoisin sauce, onions, cilantro, and chili peppers. Customers tend to praise the flavor of these dumplings, and also frequently comment on how simple they are to prepare. Some customers have said that the teriyaki sauce that's used in the teriyaki chicken should have a bolder flavor, which is something to keep in mind. If you like these dumplings, then definitely check out Wow Bao's egg rolls, fried rice, and combo packages.
5. Joyce Chen
Joyce Chen was a chef from Beijing who was influential in bringing Chinese cuisine to American palates. In fact, her impact was so significant that she's been commemorated by the United States Postal Service's Celebrity Chef Forever stamp series. It should come as no surprise her recipes would be extended into a popular brand that makes products like dipping sauces, spices, and potstickers. The company's potstickers are divided into two types: 5-Minute potstickers and Home-style potstickers. The Home-style potstickers are hand-rolled and are a bit thicker than the 5-minute potstickers. Both styles are delicious, but we'd recommend the Home-style potstickers over the 5-minute ones. The Homestyle potstickers have a more authentic texture, thanks to their size and the fact that they're rolled by hand.
Joyce Chen's potstickers aren't made with any preservatives. Instead, they are filled with premium ingredients like cabbage, Chinese leeks, and green onions. These potstickers have a fresher, less processed taste than some other frozen dumpling brands. Give these potstickers a whirl, and while you're at it, give Joyce Chen's Spicy Ginger Potsticker Dipping Sauce a try.
4. Pagoda
Pagoda mostly makes different flavors of egg rolls stuffed with fillings like pork and white meat chicken. The company also makes crab rangoon loaded with cream cheese that comes with a sweet chili dipping sauce. When it comes to potstickers, Pagoda offers pork and chicken along with a complementary lime ponzu dipping sauce. The dipping sauce is savory with a pop of citrus and is made with a mix that includes soy sauce, lime juice, garlic, and ginger.
Customers tend to praise these potstickers for being tasty and simple to make. In fact, one Walmart customer claims that, "This brand is the best store-bought brand [of potstickers] that I have ever had. I'm 67 and I have tried a lot of different ones in my lifetime." What's the only drawback? Apparently, the dipping sauce is a bit too salty, so it's been recommended to add a splash of water to thin it out a little. These are also quite popular, so a few customers have complained about stores frequently running out of stock.
3. Wegmans
Wegmans is a food market that also carries its own brand of grocery goods. Wegmans produces everything from potato pierogies and barrel-aged Greek feta cheese to ginger sesame oil paste and maple almond butter. The company's inventory also includes several varieties of frozen potstickers, including classic fillings like chicken, vegetable, and pork. But our favorite is Wegmans' Sriracha Chicken potstickers.
Anyone who enjoys a little spark of heat is bound to dig these potstickers. It's this extra dose of spiciness that makes these potstickers truly exceptional. The chicken is spicy without being overwhelming, adding a tasteful tingle to the flavor profile. There are also some delectable vegetables in the mix, such as carrots, green onions, and garlic. Tasty as these are, the filling includes a touch of rolled oats, which is a bit unconventional. Rather than using rolled oats as a filler, we'd rather see more chicken, vegetables, or rice noodles in the mix to create a more vibrant flavor that has better texture. That said, the Wegmans potstickers are still a wise choice that's delicious and convenient.
2. InnovAsian
In business for well over 20 years, InnovAsian makes a wide range of products, including entrees like sweet and sour chicken, sides such as Hawaiian-style fried rice, and various appetizers. InnovAsian makes potstickers that come in two flavors: chicken and pork. The dough on these potstickers is tightly-crimped shut and has a subtle yet pleasant chew to it — it also crisps up nicely when fried in a pan.
Customers have reported that these frozen potstickers are just about as good as the fresh potstickers served in some restaurants. The meat inside is tender and flavorful, and the company's dipping sauce is also delicious. With notes of lemon and vinegar, InnovAsian's ponzu sauce is a tasty mix of sweet, savory, and sour that deliciously complements these dumplings. The filling in the dumplings has an authentic flavor, thanks to a list of simple ingredients like ginger, garlic, cabbage, and soy sauce. Rather than adding a ton of other fillers, InnovAsian keeps it simple, and the company's approach works wonders. Let's face it: The best frozen food doesn't taste frozen at all, and this brand of potstickers pulls it off. Still, there's an even better option that beats this brand out.
1. Chef One
Since opening in 1999, Chef One has founded National Dumpling Day and the NYC Dumpling Festival, in addition to distributing its food to restaurants and grocery stores. Through the festival that Chef One established, the company spawned a dumpling eating contest and has also helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity. Of course, Chef One's obvious love for dumplings also comes through in its food.
The company makes an impressive amount of potstickers, including flavors like kung pao chicken, pork and kimchi, bulgogi beef, and chicken lemongrass. The filling has textural variation and you can distinctly taste each ingredient. Chef One's potstickers also have a more authentic flavor with heartier fillings compared to other brands. In fact, some customers have happily reported that the taste of these dumplings were reminiscent of the potstickers they ate in Vietnam.
The dough on these is perfect: chewy, yet crispy and thick enough to hold everything together. Ingredients like oyster sauce, lemongrass, and fish sauce impart these potstickers with a rich complexity that's far superior to most other frozen potstickers. If you're looking for plump and delicious frozen potstickers that taste amazingly authentic and homemade, it doesn't get much better than Chef One. Once you score yourself a bag or two of these potstickers, you'll never look back.