Vegetarian Pork Bao

Discover the irresistible flavors of *Vegetarian Pork Bao*, a plant-based twist on the classic Chinese steamed buns. These fluffy, homemade bao are filled with tender jackfruit, seasoned with a savory blend of soy sauce, hoisin sauce, garlic, and ginger, perfectly mimicking the texture and taste of traditional pork filling. Enhanced with vibrant carrots and scallions, and thickened with a cornstarch slurry for a luscious consistency, this recipe delivers a mouthwatering bite every time. Perfect for vegans, vegetarians, or anyone seeking a creative and flavorful dim sum experience, these bao buns are steamed to soft perfection and served warm, making them an ideal appetizer, snack, or main dish. Whip up this approachable recipe in just over an hour and impress everyone at your table with this Asian-inspired delicacy!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 3 cups All-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons Instant yeast
• 2 tablespoons Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Baking powder
• 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
• 1 cup Warm water
• 1 can Jackfruit (canned, drained and shredded)
• 3 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons Hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon Sesame oil
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon Ginger (grated)
• 2 stalks Scallions (sliced)
• 1 medium Carrot (grated)
• 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons Water (for slurry)
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Add the warm water and vegetable oil to the dry ingredients and mix until a dough starts to form.

Step 3

Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.

Step 4

Place the dough back into a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour until doubled in size.

Step 5

Meanwhile, prepare the filling. On medium heat, in a pan, cook the minced garlic and grated ginger in sesame oil until fragrant.

Step 6

Add the shredded jackfruit and sauté for about 5 minutes.

Step 7

Stir in the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and a pinch of salt, mixing well.

Step 8

Add the sliced scallions and grated carrot, cooking for another 3 minutes.

Step 9

In a small bowl, make a slurry by mixing cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water and add it to the jackfruit mixture to thicken the filling.

Step 10

Let the filling cool to room temperature.

Step 11

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, punch it down, and divide it into 12 equal portions.

Step 12

Roll each portion into a ball and then flatten each ball into a round disk.

Step 13

Place a spoonful of the filling in the center of each disk, gather the edges to the center and pinch to seal and create a bao.

Step 14

Set each bao on a piece of parchment paper and cover them with a damp cloth to rise for another 20 minutes.

Step 15

Prepare a steamer and steam the buns for about 15 minutes over medium heat, making sure not to crowd the steamer.

Step 16

Serve the Vegetarian Pork Bao warm, with additional soy sauce or hoisin sauce on the side for dipping if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1187.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2209.6

Total Fat 46.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 23.2g
Cholesterol 1.0mg	0%
Sodium 3983.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 402.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.2g	0%
Total Sugars 88.1g
Protein 51.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 190.1mg	0%
Iron 20.4mg	0%
Potassium 2190.7mg	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: 18.6%

Protein: 9.2%

Carbs: 72.2%