Sugar-Free Char Siu Bao (Cantonese BBQ Pork Buns)

Indulge in the savory-sweet flavors of these Sugar-Free Char Siu Bao, a healthy twist on Cantonese BBQ pork buns that doesn’t skimp on authenticity. Made with tender pork shoulder marinated in a zesty blend of soy sauce, hoisin, garlic, and ginger, these buns boast a rich, umami-packed filling that’s free from added sugar. The fluffy, from-scratch dough is infused with milk and olive oil for extra softness, creating the perfect vehicle for the flavorful pork. Steamed to perfection, these buns are a guilt-free delight, ideal for dim sum lovers or anyone seeking a wholesome take on this classic dish. Best enjoyed warm, they make an impressive homemade snack or appetizer that's both satisfying and sugar-conscious!

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:90 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:115 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 300 g All-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp Baking powder
• 1 tsp Instant yeast
• 150 ml Warm water
• 50 ml Milk
• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 0.5 tsp Salt
• 300 g Pork shoulder
• 2 tbsp Soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Hoisin sauce
• 1 tbsp Rice vinegar
• 2 cloves Garlic
• 1 tsp Grated ginger
• 0.5 tsp Sesame oil
• 2 stalks Green onions

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt together. In a separate bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water and let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.

Step 2

Mix the milk and olive oil into the yeast mixture. Slowly add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing with a wooden spoon until a dough begins to form.

Step 3

Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 8-10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Place the dough back into the bowl and cover with a damp cloth. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Step 4

While the dough is rising, prepare the pork filling. Mince the pork shoulder finely and set aside.

Step 5

In a bowl, combine soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil. Add the minced pork to this mixture and stir well to coat. Allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes.

Step 6

Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the marinated pork and cook until fully done, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and mix in chopped green onions.

Step 7

Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air, knead lightly and divide into 8 equal portions.

Step 8

Roll each dough portion into a ball and then flatten into a circle about 4 inches in diameter. Place a heaping tablespoon of pork filling in the center of each circle.

Step 9

Gather the edges of the dough circle up and over the filling, pleating to seal the bun. Pinch the top to enclose the filling. Place each bun on a small square of parchment paper.

Step 10

Place buns in a steamer, leaving some space between them to allow for expansion. Cover and steam over boiling water for about 15 minutes or until the buns are plump and cooked through.

Step 11

Serve warm, and enjoy your sugar-free char siu bao!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(945.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2038.7

Total Fat 61.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 16.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.6g
Cholesterol 269.8mg	0%
Sodium 4181.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 252.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.7g	0%
Total Sugars 8.5g
Protein 109.0g	0%

Vitamin D 22.7IU	0%
Calcium 224.9mg	0%
Iron 18.2mg	0%
Potassium 1737.9mg	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: 27.6%

Protein: 21.8%

Carbs: 50.6%