Description
Soft, fluffy steamed bao buns filled with savory beef, hoisin sauce, and crisp fresh vegetables. These pillowy Chinese-style buns are comforting, flavorful, and perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons instant yeast
3/4 cup warm milk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (plus extra for brushing)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon water
1 pound beef sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced
1/2 cup hoisin sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup thinly sliced cucumber
2 green onions, sliced
Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast. Add warm milk and vegetable oil, mixing until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1–2 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Dissolve baking powder in water and knead it into the risen dough until fully incorporated.
- Divide the dough into 10 equal portions and roll each into a ball.
- Roll each ball into a 1/4-inch thick oval, brush lightly with oil, fold in half, and place on parchment paper. Let rest for 30 minutes.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the sliced beef with soy sauce, ginger, and garlic for 4–5 minutes until tender. Stir in hoisin sauce and cook for 1 additional minute.
- Steam the buns in a steamer basket over boiling water for 8–10 minutes until puffed and fluffy.
- Open each bun and fill with warm beef, shredded carrots, cucumber, green onions, and fresh cilantro. Serve immediately.
Notes
You can substitute beef with chicken or crispy tofu for variation.
Add chili sauce or chili garlic paste for a spicier filling.
Store buns and filling separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days.
Reheat buns by steaming for a few minutes or microwaving with a damp paper towel.
Freeze steamed, unfilled buns and reheat directly from frozen by steaming.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Steaming
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 335 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
