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Gluten Free Bao: Steamed Chinese Meat Buns

Gluten Free Bao: Steamed Chinese Meat Buns

Delicious gluten free bao filled with savory meat, steamed to perfection.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Rising Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 37 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 16 buns
Calories 150 kcal

Equipment

  • Stand Mixer
  • Steamer basket

Ingredients
  

For the bread dough

  • 3 ½ cups gluten free bread flour (plus more for sprinkling)
  • 1 ⅔ teaspoons instant yeast
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons neutral oil (like canola, vegetable, or grapeseed)
  • 1 ⅛ cups warm milk (plus more if needed)

For the filling

  • 3 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
  • 3 tablespoons tamari or gluten free soy sauce (plus more for serving)
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons mirin (rice cooking wine)
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 2 teaspoons neutral oil (like canola, vegetable, or grapeseed)
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 pound lean ground pork, chicken or beef
  • ½ cup shredded cabbage
  • Chopped scallions for serving (optional)

Instructions
 

Prepare Steamer

  • Line the bottom of a steamer basket with parchment paper and set it aside.

Make the Bread Dough

  • In a stand mixer bowl, combine flour, yeast, and sugar.
  • Add baking powder and salt, then oil and milk. Mix until combined.
  • Knead for about 5 minutes until dough is smooth and somewhat sticky.
  • Transfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for about 45 minutes.
  • Chill the dough in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes.

Make the Filling

  • Combine ginger, tamari, sugar, mirin, sesame oil, vegetable oil, and pepper in a bowl.
  • In another bowl, combine ground meat and cabbage, then add ginger mixture and mix well.
  • Cover and chill the filling mixture.

Shape the Buns

  • Turn out dough onto a floured surface, shape into a smooth ball, and divide into 16 pieces.
  • Flatten each piece into a round about 4 inches in diameter.
  • Place filling in the center and gather the edges together to seal the bun.
  • Place buns in the steamer, cover and allow to rise for about 30 minutes.

Steam the Buns

  • Steam the buns over simmering water for about 8 minutes, then allow to rest for 2 to 4 minutes.
  • Serve warm with chopped scallions and tamari or gluten free soy sauce.

Notes

Using pastry flour requires adjustments as mentioned in the recipe notes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bunCalories: 150kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 5gFat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 150mgPotassium: 100mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 5mg
Keyword Bao, Chinese Meat Buns, Gluten-Free, Meat Buns, Steamed Buns
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