If you’re craving a dish that perfectly blends comforting warmth with vibrant, fresh flavors, then the Vegan Baked Dumplings in Red Curry Sauce Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. This delightful recipe takes simple vegetable dumplings and elevates them with a luscious, aromatic red curry sauce rich with coconut milk, garlic, and colorful veggies. It’s an effortless yet impressive dish that brings satisfying textures and bold flavors together for a cozy meal you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for straightforward ingredients that are easy to find but crucial for building layers of flavor and texture. Every item adds something special, from the carnation creaminess of coconut milk to the earthy crunch of kale and mushrooms. Here’s what you’ll want to gather before you start:
- Coconut milk: The creamy base of the red curry sauce that gives it richness and body.
- Hot water: Helps to extract all the luscious coconut milk left in the can, making every bit count.
- Red curry paste: Provides the signature spicy, fragrant flavor that defines the sauce.
- Soyaki sauce: A flavorful blend of soy and teriyaki that adds umami depth.
- Minced garlic: Adds a pungent aromatic kick to the curry sauce.
- Red pepper: Gives a sweet crunch and vibrant pop of color.
- Mushrooms: Adds earthiness and a meaty texture that pairs perfectly with the dumplings.
- Kale: Brings color, nutrition, and a slight bitterness to balance the richness.
- Vegetable dumplings: The star of the dish, offering a tender and savory bite.
- Cilantro (optional): Fresh herbal brightness as a garnish.
- Green onions (optional): Mild onion flavor and crunch.
- Crunchy chili onion oil (optional): Adds heat and a delightful crunch on top.
How to Make Vegan Baked Dumplings in Red Curry Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Coconut Milk Base
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (204°C) so it’s nice and hot when you’re ready to bake. Next, pour the coconut milk into the bottom of a baking dish. Don’t forget to add 1/4 cup of hot water to the already emptied coconut milk can and pour that extra creamy goodness into the dish as well. This step ensures you’re not wasting any of the rich coconut milk that will create the silky sauce.
Step 2: Build the Red Curry Sauce
Now it’s time to bring your sauce to life. Stir in 2 tablespoons of red curry paste, 3 tablespoons of Soyaki sauce, and 3 cloves of minced garlic into the coconut milk mixture. Whisk everything together thoroughly until smooth and fragrant. This mixture is where all the magic happens—spicy, savory, and creamy all at once, setting the perfect stage for your dumplings.
Step 3: Add the Vegetables
Layer in your chopped vegetables right into the sauce. Use about 2 cups — kale, mushrooms, and red peppers make a colorful, tasty trio. These veggies not only brighten the dish visually but add fresh bites and a wonderful contrast to the softness of the dumplings.
Step 4: Arrange the Dumplings
Place your frozen vegetable dumplings gently over the sauce and veggies in the baking dish. Don’t be shy about spooning a bit of curry sauce over each dumpling to ensure they soak up all those inviting flavors while baking.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Cover the dish tightly with foil to lock in all the steam and moisture, then bake for 20 minutes. The dumplings will cook through beautifully, the sauce will thicken slightly, and the veggies will become tender but still retain their bite. This step pulls everything together into one harmonious dish.
How to Serve Vegan Baked Dumplings in Red Curry Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
Finishing touches matter, and garnishes take this dish from wonderful to unforgettable. Sprinkle fresh cilantro and thinly sliced green onions on top for a vivid burst of herbal brightness. Adding a spoonful of crunchy chili onion oil offers both texture and a pleasant heat that elevates each bite.
Side Dishes
This dish shines beautifully on its own but pairs wonderfully with simple sides. Serve it over fluffy steamed rice or delicate rice noodles to soak up the vibrant red curry sauce. A light cucumber salad or quick pickled vegetables can add freshness and balance.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the dumplings in individual small bowls so everyone can scoop up their own mini feast. You can also turn it into a colorful rice bowl with extra raw veggies, fresh herbs, and a lime wedge for zest. No matter how you present it, this Vegan Baked Dumplings in Red Curry Sauce Recipe never fails to impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers keep well when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors continue to deepen, and reheating brings back that delicious creamy sauce and the cozy feeling of a freshly baked meal.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, the dumplings along with the sauce can be frozen. Place them in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the dumplings and sauce in a covered dish at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, or microwave on medium power in short bursts to keep the dumplings tender and the sauce creamy.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought dumplings for this recipe?
Absolutely! Store-bought vegetable dumplings work perfectly and save you prep time. Just choose your favorite brand and they’ll absorb the curry sauce wonderfully during baking.
Is this recipe very spicy?
The heat level depends on the red curry paste you use. Most pastes have a moderate spice, but you can adjust it by adding less paste to suit your taste or adding more chili oil as a garnish for an extra kick.
What can I substitute for Soyaki sauce?
If you don’t have Soyaki sauce, you can use a mix of soy sauce and a splash of teriyaki sauce or even hoisin sauce to maintain that sweet-salty umami flavor.
Can I make this recipe oil-free?
Yes! The dish as written uses no added oil in the sauce since the coconut milk provides plenty of richness. Simply skip the chili onion oil garnish or replace it with a small sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds.
Will this recipe work with other types of dumplings?
Definitely. Feel free to experiment with different types like tofu dumplings, potstickers, or even homemade dumplings filled with your favorite veggies or plant-based proteins.
Final Thoughts
This Vegan Baked Dumplings in Red Curry Sauce Recipe is truly a celebration of simple ingredients coming together in the most delicious way. It’s easy enough for a weeknight dinner but special enough to serve to guests. Warm, comforting, and bursting with flavor, it’s a dish that invites you to slow down and savor every bite. Give it a try, and I’m sure it will become one of your go-to meals too!
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Vegan Baked Dumplings in Red Curry Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Delicious vegan baked dumplings simmered in a rich and fragrant red curry coconut sauce, featuring a medley of vegetables like kale, mushrooms, and red peppers. This easy, 25-minute recipe is perfect for a comforting plant-based meal served on its own or over rice or noodles.
Ingredients
Red Curry Sauce
- 1 (13.5 oz) can coconut milk
- 1/4 cup hot water
- 2 tablespoons red curry paste
- 3 tablespoons Soyaki sauce
- 3 cloves minced garlic
Vegetables
- 1/2 cup red pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cups kale, chopped small
Dumplings
- 1 (16-oz) package vegetable dumplings (frozen)
Optional Garnish
- 1 tablespoon cilantro
- 1 tablespoon green onions
- 1 tablespoon crunchy chili onion oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the dumplings.
- Prepare Sauce Base: Pour the entire can of coconut milk into the bottom of a baking dish. Add 1/4 cup of hot water to the empty can to extract any remaining coconut milk, then pour this into the dish as well.
- Mix Sauce Ingredients: Add 2 tablespoons of red curry paste, 3 tablespoons of Soyaki sauce, and 3 cloves of minced garlic to the coconut milk mixture. Whisk everything together until it is well combined and forms a flavorful curry sauce.
- Add Vegetables: Incorporate your chosen vegetables—half a cup of diced red pepper, half a cup of sliced mushrooms, and 2 cups of chopped kale—into the curry sauce in the baking dish.
- Arrange Dumplings: Place the frozen vegetable dumplings evenly on top of the sauce and vegetables. Spoon some of the curry sauce over the dumplings to ensure they absorb flavor while baking.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil to retain moisture and bake in the oven at 400°F (204°C) for 20 minutes, until the dumplings are cooked through and tender.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with crunchy chili onion oil, fresh cilantro, and/or green onions if desired. Serve hot in a bowl alone or over rice or rice noodles for a more filling meal.
Notes
- Using frozen dumplings allows for a quick and convenient meal preparation.
- Feel free to swap vegetables according to your preference or seasonality.
- Adjust the amount of red curry paste to control the spice level.
- The Soyaki sauce adds a blend of soy and teriyaki flavors; you can substitute with soy sauce or tamari if preferred.
- Covering the dish with foil is essential to keep the dumplings moist while baking.