Description
Fluffy, flavorful, and absolutely irresistible! These homemade Tender Beef Bao Buns are filled with juicy, umami-rich beef wrapped in a soft, pillowy bun. Perfect as an appetizer, snack, or full meal, they come together in just about an hour and taste just like your favorite dim sum spot.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (or substitute part with cake flour for a lighter texture)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon instant yeast
- 3/4 cup warm milk (or water)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
For the Beef Filling:
- 1 lb beef (short rib, chuck roast, or flank steak), finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce (or soy sauce + 1 teaspoon honey)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (for thickening)
- 2 green onions, finely sliced
Instructions
-
Prepare the Dough
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, yeast, and warm milk. Stir until a dough forms.
- Knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth, then cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
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Cook the Beef Filling
- Heat sesame oil in a pan over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger, sautéing until fragrant.
- Add beef, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and rice vinegar. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until the beef is tender.
- Stir in the cornstarch mixture to thicken the sauce. Remove from heat and mix in green onions.
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Shape the Buns
- Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 12-14 equal portions.
- Roll each piece into a small disc, place a spoonful of beef filling in the center, and pinch the edges to seal.
-
Steam the Bao
- Place the buns on parchment-lined steamer trays, ensuring space between them.
- Steam over boiling water for 12-15 minutes until puffed and fluffy.
Serve and Enjoy
- Let the bao cool slightly before serving. Enjoy fresh or with a dipping sauce of your choice.
Notes
- Make sure your yeast is fresh to achieve a fluffy bun texture.
- Slow-cooking the beef allows it to absorb the flavors better.
- Avoid overfilling the buns to ensure a proper seal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bao bun
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 20mg