Chinese Steamed Barbecue Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao)

Chinese Steamed Barbecue Pork Buns or char siu bao (in Cantonese) or char shao bao (in Mandarin). Likewise, a typical Cantonese bun stuffed with diced barbecue pork. Moreover, Chinese Steamed Barbecue Pork Buns (char siu bao) have two versions. Namely steamed and baked barbecue pork buns (also called chan bao in Cantonese). While the steamed barbecue Pork buns version is white in colour. Whereas, they instead toast and glaze the baked version with egg wash and or honey. Sometimes also garnished with white sesame seeds before baking in the oven. Enclosed in the center of these savoury buns is tender and delicious diced roasted pork. Besides, they mix the diced pork with the leftover barbecue sauce from the slow roasting process. In addition, they often serve both versions of barbecue pork buns as dim sum in Cantonese yum cha restaurants.

Chinese Steamed Barbecue Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao) Gluten Free

Gluten Free Steamed Chinese Barbecue Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao)

Char siu bao is a type of baozi, steamed or baked, filled bun or bread like bun in Chinese cuisines. Besides, there are many variations to the fillings of baozi or buns and the fillings can be sweet or savoury. Likewise, for my gluten free Steamed Chinese Barbecue Pork Buns recipe, I am using finely diced barbecue pork fillets. Then wrapped in a dense and soft bread dough. My recipe is also low carb, dairy free, nut free and egg free. Furthermore, soy flour may be present in some gluten free bread flour. Like the flour I am using Laucke Easy Bakers Gluten Free Special White Mix bread flour. While you can use any gluten free white bread flour. For my gluten free recipe on how to make barbecue pork recipe (Char Siu) and barbecue sauce, refer recipe here.

Chinese Steamed Barbecue Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao) Gluten Free
Chinese Steamed Barbecue Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao) Gluten Free

Nutritiional Values and Health Benefits of Pork

Lean and trimmed pork is a nutritional source of low fat protein and naturally low in sodium. It is also a rich source of B group of vitamins. Including vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and vitamin B12. Lean pork is also a good source of minerals like zinc, iron, selenium and magnesium.  

On the whole, health benefits of pork may include:

  • Build strong bones and teeth;
  • Boost the immune system;
  • Support healthy eyes, hair, nails and skin;
  • Maintain muscle strength;
  • Encourage creation of normal red blood cells;
  • Promote metabolism and energy production;
  • Sustain normal blood pressure; and
  • Reduce risk of cardiovascular disease.
Chinese Steamed Barbecue Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao) Gluten Free
Chinese Steamed Barbecue Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao) Gluten Free

Chinese Steamed Barbecue Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao)

Steamed char siu bao is a typical and popular Cantonese bun stuffed with delicious diced barbecue pork and most commonly served as a dim sum in yum cha restaurants.
4.69 from 16 votes
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Course: Breakfast, Buns, Snack
Cuisine: Cantonese, Chinese
Diet: Gluten Free, Low Fat, Low Salt
Keyword: Bao, Baozi, Barbecue Pork Buns, bbq Pork Buns, Corn Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Gluten Free Bao Buns, Gluten Free Barbecue Pork Buns, Gluten Free bbq Pork Buns, Gluten Free Buns, Gluten Free Chinese Bao, Gluten Free Dim Sum, Gluten Free Dim Sum Recipe, Low Carb, Nut Free, Pork, Pork Buns
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Resting Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours
Servings: 13 Buns
Calories: 289kcal
Author: Daphne Goh

Ingredients

  • Gluten free flour for dusting work surface

For the Filling:

For the dough:

    Dry Ingredients:

    Wet Ingredients:

    Instructions

    For preparing the dough:

    • Warm the rice milk in a small pot for around 2 minutes, then turn off the heat. Add in the extra virgin olive oil and agave sugar and mix well until all the agave sugar has dissolved.
    • Add all the dry ingredients including the yeast into an electric mixer mixing bowl.
    • Attach the mixing bowl to an electric mixer and then attach the dough hook. Using low speed, mix for about 30 seconds or until ingredients are well combined.
    • Continue on low speed, gradually pour the warm rice milk mixture in step 1 into the well in the large bowl for about 2 minute.
    • Stop mixing and then use a rubber spatula to scrape the sides of the mixing bowl.
    • Mix on low setting for another 5 minutes or until you get a smooth dough.
    • Divide the dough into 2 portions. Seal in ziplock bags and let the dough rest on the benchtop to rise for 30 minutes.

    For rolling out the dough:

    • Dust the work surface with some gluten free flour.
    • Remove 1 bag of dough from the ziplock bag at a time, divide the dough equally into 13 large balls around 83g (3oz) each. Repeat until all the dough are finished.
    • Flatten each ball into a disc or patty and shape each patty into 4 inch round dough with the middle thicker than the edges.

    For filling the dough:

    • In a small bowl, mix and combine well the barbecue pork pieces with the barbecue sauce.
    • Place some pork fillings onto each dough and wrap and pinch the dough together. Ensure that they are tightly sealed and shape into a smooth ball.

    For cooking the buns:

    • Arrange each dough onto a piece of baking/parchment paper with the sealed side facing down.
    • Heat up a wok with a steaming rack with some water and place the bamboo steamer on top of the steaming rack. Steam the buns for 20 minutes on high heat in batches. Ensure that there is sufficient water in the wok for the whole steaming process. Repeat until all the buns are cooked. You can use any type of steamer.
    • Remove and place the cooked buns on a cooling rack. Best serve warm.
    • You can also store the buns in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat by steaming on high heat for 5 minutes or in microwave for 1½ minutes or until buns are soft.

    Notes

    Allergens: Soy (in bread flour and in barbecue pork) and oyster extract (in barbecue pork).
    Nutrition Facts
    Chinese Steamed Barbecue Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao)
    Serving Size
     
    1 bun
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    289
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    6.94
    g
    11
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    1.93
    g
    12
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    0.6
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    3.43
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    13.85
    mg
    5
    %
    Sodium
     
    154.53
    mg
    7
    %
    Potassium
     
    69.97
    mg
    2
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    50.28
    g
    17
    %
    Fiber
     
    0.77
    g
    3
    %
    Sugar
     
    4.93
    g
    5
    %
    Protein
     
    6.18
    g
    12
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    10.52
    IU
    0
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    0.72
    mg
    1
    %
    Calcium
     
    7.07
    mg
    1
    %
    Iron
     
    0.22
    mg
    1
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Did you make this recipe?Tag me on Instagram @healthygfasian or tag #healthygfasian!

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    22 thoughts on “Chinese Steamed Barbecue Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao)”

      • Yes, you can freeze these buns.

        You have to steam and cook them and let them cool on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Once cooled, transfer the tray to the freezer for around 1 hour so they will keep their shape and will not stick together. Once they are frozen, you can transfer them to freezer bags or airtight container and then return to the freezer. Keep up to 1 month. Reheat by steaming until soft and hot.

        Reply
    1. I used a gluten free bread flour blend but the buns still turned out hard – do you have any tips? Also, is there an alternative to rice milk (almond milk etc)?

      Reply
    2. Would this recipe work with bobs red mill gluten free baking flour?
      So excited to try these thanks for the recipe! 🙂

      Reply
    3. These looks delicious and tasty. Its very Asian for me because of Dim sums, like siomai and dumplings and I loved Asian food so I’ll definitely try and cook this for my friends who are working in one of the
      best restaurants docklands
      . I know they will love this, and maybe putting a twist like a sauce or ketchup inside the bun would be great.

      Reply
    4. I have always wanted to try these. Unfortunately I was diagnosed before I had a chance to. I did get to try redbean buns made into pretty peaches. they were amazing. Any suggestions on a flour mix on amazon? I never buy gluten free breadflour so I have no go to for this.

      Reply

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