18 Easy Chinese Bao Recipe Prepare To Be Amazed!

Published on: Mar 24, 2024

If you're a fan of Chinese cuisine, then you've probably come across the delicious and fluffy steamed buns known as bao. These bite-sized buns are filled with a variety of savory or sweet fillings, making them a popular snack or meal option. While they may seem intimidating to make, this easy Chinese bao recipe will guide you through the process and have you making your own homemade bao in no time. So put on your apron and get ready to impress your friends and family with this traditional Chinese dish.

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Pork Bao

Main Ingredients: Active Dry Yeast, Cake Flour, Sugar, Baking Powder

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Pork bao, also known as baozi, is a popular Chinese dish that consists of steamed buns filled with savory pork filling. These soft and fluffy buns are a staple in Chinese cuisine and can be found in various forms throughout the country. Here are 20 different ways to make pork bao, from classic flavors to unique twists that will satisfy your taste buds.

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Chinese Bao Buns

Main Ingredients: Warm Water, Active Dry Yeast, All Purpose Flour, Baking

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Bao buns, also known as baozi, are a staple in Chinese cuisine and can be found in different variations throughout the country. These steamed buns are filled with various savory fillings, making them a popular and delicious snack or meal. Here are 20 different ways to make Chinese bao buns that will have you craving for more.

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Chinese Bao ~ Indian Style

Main Ingredients: Plain Flour, Instant Yeast, Salt, Sugar, Milk, Oil

Kiyomi, Gold Coast | ChopinandMysaucepan

Why not combine two of the world's most beloved cuisines in one dish? These Chinese bao buns are given an Indian twist with the addition of aromatic spices and fillings such as tandoori chicken or butter chicken. These fusion bao buns are a delightful and unique take on the classic Chinese dish.

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Chinese Orange Chicken

Main Ingredients: Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, Eggs, Cornstarch

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Orange chicken is a popular dish in Chinese-American cuisine, but you can also make your own version at home. These bao buns are filled with crispy and tangy orange chicken, creating a flavorful and satisfying meal. Serve it with some steamed rice and vegetables for a complete Chinese-inspired meal.

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Chinese Beef and Broccoli

Main Ingredients: Lean Beef, Soy Sauce, Sherry, Oil, Small Yellow Onion

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This classic Chinese dish is now even more convenient to eat with these bao buns. Tender strips of beef and crisp broccoli are tossed in a savory sauce and stuffed into fluffy buns for a delicious and portable meal. Perfect for a quick lunch or dinner, these beef and broccoli bao buns will surely be a crowd-pleaser.

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Chinese Fried Rice

Main Ingredients: Butter, Eggs, Yellow Onion, Medium Carrots, Frozen

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Fried rice is a staple in Chinese cuisine, and it can be easily turned into a filling for bao buns. This recipe combines fluffy rice, tender vegetables, and savory seasonings to create a flavorful and satisfying filling for your bao buns. Serve it with some soy sauce or chili sauce for an extra kick of flavor.

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Chinese Chicken Thighs

Main Ingredients: Chicken Thighs, Olive Oil, Minced Ginger, Minced

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For a more substantial and meaty filling, try using chicken thighs in your bao buns. These tender and juicy cuts of chicken are marinated in a flavorful sauce and then steamed in buns for a delicious and hearty meal. Top it off with some sesame seeds and green onions for an extra burst of flavor.

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Char Siu Bao

Main Ingredients: Sugar, Soy Sauce, Oyster Sauce, Water, Canola Oil

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Char siu, or Chinese barbecue pork, is a popular filling for bao buns. These buns are filled with tender and juicy pieces of char siu, creating a flavorful and satisfying meal. You can make your own char siu at home or use store-bought for convenience. Either way, these bao buns will surely be a hit at your next meal.

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Chinese Chicken and Broccoli

Main Ingredients: Broccoli, Vegetable Oil, Boneless Chicken Thighs

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Another classic Chinese dish that can be turned into a filling for bao buns is chicken and broccoli. Tender pieces of chicken and crisp broccoli are tossed in a savory sauce and stuffed into fluffy buns for a delicious and convenient meal. Serve it with some steamed rice for a complete Chinese-inspired meal.

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Chinese Egg Drop Soup

Main Ingredients: Chicken Stock, Ginger, Low Sodium Soy Sauce

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Egg drop soup is a classic Chinese dish that can be transformed into a filling for bao buns. This recipe uses a thick and flavorful soup as the base for the filling, which is then stuffed into fluffy buns. The result is a unique and delicious take on the traditional egg drop soup that is perfect for any occasion.

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Classic Pork Fried Rice - A Chinese Takeout favorite

Main Ingredients: Hot Water, Honey, Sesame Oil, Shaoxing Wine, Soy Sauce

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Fried rice is a staple in Chinese takeout, and it's easy to see why. This classic dish is loaded with flavor and can be easily turned into a filling for bao buns. This recipe uses tender pork, crisp vegetables, and savory seasonings to create a delicious and convenient meal that will satisfy your cravings.

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Egg Fried Rice - An Easy Chinese

Main Ingredients: Cooked Rice, Large Eggs, Paprika, Turmeric, Oil, Medium

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Delicious and Easy Egg Fried Rice! - Explore Cook Eat

10 Minute Simple Egg Fried Rice - Homemade Hooplah

Another variation of fried rice that can be turned into a filling for bao buns is egg fried rice. This simple and easy dish is loaded with flavor and can be made in a matter of minutes. The fluffy rice, tender vegetables, and scrambled eggs are the perfect filling for steamed buns, creating a unique and delicious meal.

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Chinese Pork Buns (Cha Siu Bao)

Main Ingredients: Cornstarch, Green Onion, Salad Oil, Soy Sauce, Oyster

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Char Siu Bao (Chinese BBQ Pork Buns) - Closet Cooking

Cha siu bao, also known as Chinese pork buns, are a staple in Chinese cuisine and can be found in various forms throughout the country. These steamed buns are filled with tender and juicy pieces of char siu, creating a sweet and savory flavor that is hard to resist. Make your own at home with this easy and delicious recipe.

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Xiao Long Bao - Chinese Soup Dumplings

Main Ingredients: Water, Chicken Bones, Country Ham, Pork Belly, Ginger

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Xiao long bao, also known as Chinese soup dumplings, are a popular Chinese dish that consists of delicate dough filled with savory broth and meat. These bao buns are a unique and delicious way to enjoy soup and dumplings in one bite. Serve them with some soy sauce and chili oil for a burst of flavor.

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Chinese Sausage Buns (Lop Cheung Bao)

Main Ingredients: Warm Water, Instant Yeast, Granulated Sugar, Canola

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Sausage Steamed Buns / Sausage Bao (with fun and easy designs)

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Lop cheung bao, also known as Chinese sausage buns, are a popular street food in China. These steamed buns are filled with sweet and savory Chinese sausage, creating a unique and delicious flavor. Make your own at home with this easy and tasty recipe that is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

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Sang choy bao, Chinese lettuce wraps

Main Ingredients: Water Chestnuts, Scallions, Fresh Ginger, Garlic

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Sang choy bao, also known as Chinese lettuce wraps, are a popular appetizer in Chinese cuisine. These bao buns are filled with a flavorful and savory mixture of ground meat and vegetables, then wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves. They are perfect for a light and tasty meal or as an appetizer for a larger feast.

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Fried Chicken Wings, Chinese Takeout Style

Main Ingredients: Chicken Wings, Black Pepper, White Pepper, Garlic

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Fried chicken wings are a popular dish in Chinese takeout, and now you can enjoy them in bao bun form. These buns are filled with crispy and flavorful chicken wings, creating a unique and delicious meal that is perfect for any occasion. Serve them with some sweet and sour sauce or chili sauce for an extra kick of flavor.

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Sang Choy Bao - Chinese Lettuce Cups

Main Ingredients: Water Chestnuts, Spring Onions, Fresh Ginger, Garlic

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Another variation of sang choy bao is Chinese lettuce cups. These bao buns are filled with a flavorful and savory mixture of ground meat and vegetables, then served in crisp lettuce cups. They are a lighter and healthier option compared to traditional bao buns, making them perfect for a guilt-free indulgence.

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Chinese Soup Dumplings (Sheng Jian Bao)

Main Ingredients: Chicken Stock, Shaoxing Rice Wine, Light Soy Sauce

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Sheng jian bao, also known as Chinese soup dumplings, are a popular street food in China. These buns are filled with a savory and flavorful broth, creating a unique and delicious experience. Make your own at home with this easy and tasty recipe that will transport you to the streets of China.

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Beef San Choy Bao (Chinese Lettuce Cups)

Main Ingredients: Ground Beef, Onion, Ginger, Garlic, Mushrooms, Large

San choy bao, also known as Chinese lettuce cups, can also be made with beef for a heartier and more substantial filling. These bao buns are filled with a flavorful mixture of ground beef, vegetables, and seasonings, then served in crisp lettuce cups. They are a delicious and healthy option for any meal.

Ingredients You'll Need

Dough:

All-purpose flour
Yeast
Water
Sugar
Salt

Filling:

Ground pork
Shiitake mushrooms
Green onions
Garlic
Soy sauce
Sesame oil

Preparing the Dough

To make the dough, begin by combining the all-purpose flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Slowly stir in the water until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Cover the dough and let it rest for 1 hour.

Making the Filling

While the dough is resting, prepare the filling. Start by finely chopping the green onions and shiitake mushrooms. In a separate bowl, mix together the ground pork, chopped green onions, shiitake mushrooms, garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Use your hands to mix everything together until well combined.

Assembling and Steaming the Bao

Once the dough has rested, roll it out into a long log shape and divide it into equal pieces. Roll each piece into a small circle, making sure the edges are thinner than the center. Place a spoonful of the filling in the center of each circle and gather the edges together, pinching and twisting them to seal the bao. Place the completed bao on a piece of parchment paper and let them rise for another 15-20 minutes. In the meantime, prepare your steamer by bringing water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, place the bao in the steamer, making sure they are not touching each other. Steam the bao for 15 minutes or until they are fully cooked and fluffy.

Enjoying Your Homemade Bao

Once the bao are cooked, remove them from the steamer and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. You can also freeze any leftover bao for future meals. Serve your homemade bao with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy the delicious taste of traditional Chinese cuisine right in your own home. In conclusion, making Chinese bao at home may seem daunting, but with this easy recipe, you'll be a pro in no time. Impress your loved ones with your homemade bao and customize the filling to your liking. So go ahead and give this recipe a try, we promise you won't be disappointed.