Vegan Steamed Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao)

Indulge in the plant-based twist on a beloved classic with these irresistible Vegan Steamed Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao). Fluffy, pillowy dough envelops a savory, umami-packed jackfruit filling, expertly seasoned with soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and a touch of maple syrup for a hint of sweetness. The jackfruit’s tender, pulled texture perfectly mimics traditional char siu pork, while green onions and minced garlic add layers of aromatic depth. These steamed buns are not only dairy-free and meat-free but also fully customizable to your taste. Perfect for dim sum-inspired meals, snacks, or as a crowd-pleasing appetizer, they’re incredibly satisfying and surprisingly easy to make at home. Serve them warm, fresh from the steamer, for a comforting bite of vegan perfection!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:60 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 3 cups All-purpose flour
• 2.25 teaspoons Instant yeast
• 4 tablespoons Sugar
• 0.5 teaspoons Salt
• 1 cup Unsweetened plant-based milk
• 2 tablespoons Neutral oil (e.g., vegetable or canola)
• 1 can (15 ounces) Young jackfruit (drained and shredded)
• 3 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons Hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon Maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon Sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon Rice vinegar
• 2 teaspoons Cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons Water
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 2 stalks Green onions (sliced)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt.

Step 2

Warm the unsweetened plant-based milk until lukewarm (not hot) and mix it with the neutral oil.

Step 3

Slowly add the warm milk and oil mixture to the dry ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.

Step 4

Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Step 5

While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. In a skillet over medium heat, sauté the minced garlic in sesame oil until fragrant.

Step 6

Add the shredded jackfruit to the skillet and cook for 2–3 minutes.

Step 7

In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of water. Pour this mixture over the jackfruit and stir to coat.

Step 8

Dissolve the cornstarch in 1 tablespoon of water, then add it to the skillet. Cook for another 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens.

Step 9

Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the sliced green onions. Let the filling cool completely.

Step 10

Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 8 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball and flatten it into a 4–5 inch circle.

Step 11

Place 1–2 tablespoons of the jackfruit filling in the center of each circle. Gather the edges of the dough and pinch them together to seal, forming a bun. Place the seam side down on a small piece of parchment paper.

Step 12

Repeat for all the buns and let them rest for 15 minutes.

Step 13

In a steamer, bring water to a boil. Place the buns (still on their parchment paper squares) into the steamer, leaving space between them to expand.

Step 14

Steam the buns for 12–15 minutes. Turn off the heat and let them sit in the steamer for 3 minutes before removing the lid.

Step 15

Serve warm. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated by steaming.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1298.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2288.5

Total Fat 50.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 5.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.4g
Cholesterol 1.0mg	0%
Sodium 3635.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 407.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.6g	0%
Total Sugars 80.5g
Protein 53.9g	0%

Vitamin D 100.0IU	0%
Calcium 508.6mg	0%
Iron 21.7mg	0%
Potassium 2358.1mg	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: 19.8%

Protein: 9.4%

Carbs: 70.8%