How should I safely reheat steamed dumplings?

Only reheat dumplings that were fully cooked first and then cooled and stored safely. Heat them quickly until they are steaming hot all the way through. If their storage history is unknown or they have exceeded the applicable time limit, throw them away rather than trying to make them safe by reheating.

If the dumplings were sold frozen and are raw or only partly cooked, that is first-time cooking, not reheating. Follow the current pack instructions.

What temperature should reheated dumplings reach?

NSW Food Authority gives different figures for different situations:

  • For ordinary leftovers that were safely stored at home, reheat until steaming hot, at least 60°C.
  • For restaurant food taken home in a doggy bag, reheat until steaming hot, at least 75°C.
  • For takeaway bought to eat later, refrigerate it and reheat until steaming hot.

These are different contexts, not one universal temperature rule. Whichever applies, use a clean food thermometer to check the centre. NSW Food Authority says exterior colour alone is not always a reliable guide.

Re-steaming usually gives the softest result

Place the cooked dumplings in a single layer in a lined steamer over simmering water. Cover and steam until they are steaming hot through to the centre. Exact times vary with the size, filling, starting temperature and equipment, so do not rely on a fixed number of minutes as the safety check.

Can I use a microwave?

Yes. Put the dumplings in a microwave-safe dish, add a few drops of water and cover them with a microwave-safe cover. Heat in short bursts, rearranging them between bursts so cold spots are less likely, then check that the centre is steaming hot.

What if the cooked dumplings were frozen?

For cooked leftovers that you froze at home, NSW Food Authority says to defrost them in the fridge and use them within 24 hours of defrosting. Then reheat them rapidly until steaming hot throughout.

This does not override the directions on a packaged frozen product.

Reheating is not a reset button

Reheating can kill many harmful bacteria, but it cannot be relied on to repair unsafe cooling or storage. Some heat-stable toxins may survive. If the dumplings should have been discarded under the time rule, heating them again does not change that decision.

If you are serving someone at higher risk

Foodborne illness can be more serious for pregnant people, older people and people with weakened immune systems. Food Standards Australia New Zealand says freshly prepared food is safest for vulnerable people. Where leftovers are used, keep them no longer than one day and reheat them until steaming hot throughout.

Sources

Sources checked: 10 October 2026.