Low Fat Char Siu Bao (Cantonese BBQ Pork Buns)

Delight in the rich, savory flavors of Cantonese cuisine with this healthier take on Char Siu Bao, the iconic BBQ pork buns. Our **Low-Fat Char Siu Bao** recipe swaps fatty cuts of pork for lean pork loin, keeping the irresistible sweetness and umami of traditional char siu intact, while significantly reducing the fat content. The fluffy steamed buns are made with a light, milk-infused dough that complements the tender, baked pork filling seasoned with a medley of hoisin, soy, and Chinese five-spice. Perfect for a guilt-free indulgence, these low-fat buns are easy to make at home and deliver all the comforting flavors of authentic dim sum. Whether served as an appetizer, snack, or part of a larger meal, these homemade BBQ pork buns will have everyone coming back for more.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:60 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:90 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 300 grams Lean pork loin
• 3 tablespoons Char siu sauce
• 1 tablespoon Soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Hoisin sauce
• 1 teaspoon Sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 250 grams All-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon Instant yeast
• 120 milliliters Warm water
• 60 milliliters Skim milk
• 1 tablespoon Vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons Sugar for dough
• 1 teaspoon Baking powder

Directions

Step 1

1. Prepare the pork loin by cutting it into small 1cm cubes. In a bowl, combine the char siu sauce, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sugar, salt, Chinese five-spice powder, and garlic powder. Add the pork cubes and mix well to coat. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.

Step 2

2. For the dough, in a large bowl, combine warm water, instant yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.

Step 3

3. Add flour, skim milk, vegetable oil, and a pinch of salt to the yeast mixture. Mix together until a dough forms.

Step 4

4. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.

Step 5

5. Place the dough into a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a damp cloth. Let it rise in a warm place for about 45 minutes or until it has doubled in size.

Step 6

6. While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Spread the marinated pork on a baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes, or until it is cooked through.

Step 7

7. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and knead in the baking powder. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces.

Step 8

8. Roll each piece of dough into a ball and flatten it into a disc about 10cm in diameter.

Step 9

9. Place a spoonful of the cooked pork filling in the center of each disc. Gather the edges of the dough to the center and pinch to seal. Shape each bun into a round ball.

Step 10

10. Prepare a steamer by bringing water to a boil. Place each bun on a small piece of parchment paper, seam side down, and arrange them in the steamer with space between them to expand.

Step 11

11. Steam the buns over boiling water for 12-15 minutes, or until the dough is fully cooked, soft and fluffy.

Step 12

12. Serve warm. Enjoy your healthier, low-fat char siu bao!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(867.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1742.6

Total Fat 32.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8.7g
Cholesterol 188.3mg	0%
Sodium 3573.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 257.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.7g	0%
Total Sugars 55.5g
Protein 98.2g	0%

Vitamin D 27.2IU	0%
Calcium 192.5mg	0%
Iron 14.8mg	0%
Potassium 1769.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 17.1%

Protein: 22.9%

Carbs: 60.0%