Vegetarian BBQ Pork Buns
Indulge in the irresistible flavors of these vegetarian BBQ pork buns, a plant-based take on the classic dim sum favorite! Featuring tender young jackfruit marinated in a rich blend of vegetarian oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and aromatic five-spice powder, this recipe delivers all the savory-sweet goodness you'd expect from BBQ pork fillings—without the meat. Encased in soft, fluffy bao dough made from scratch, these buns are steamed to perfection, resulting in a warm, pillowy treat that's perfect as an appetizer or main course. With a prep time of just over 90 minutes, these buns are a rewarding and delicious project for any home cook looking to explore plant-based cooking. Ideal for vegan or vegetarian diets, these buns offer a creative way to use jackfruit for an authentic and satisfying texture. Serve them warm and watch them disappear from the plate!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 package instant yeast
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 cup warm water
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 cans canned young green jackfruit in brine
- 2 tablespoons vegetarian oyster sauce
- 1.5 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 0.5 teaspoon five-spice powder
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 2 cloves chopped garlic
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water (for cornstarch slurry)
Instructions
In a large bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, and sugar. Add the warm water and mix until a rough dough forms.
Add the salt and vegetable oil, then knead the dough on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. Drain and rinse the jackfruit. Use your hands to shred the pieces, discarding any seeds and tough core.
Heat the sesame oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the ginger and garlic, sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add the shredded jackfruit, vegetarian oyster sauce, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and five-spice powder. Stir to combine and cook for 5 minutes.
Mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to make a slurry. Add this to the jackfruit mixture and cook for another 2-3 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the sesame seeds. Let cool.
Punch out the air from the dough and divide it into 12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball.
Flatten each dough ball into a 4-inch circle. Place about 1 tablespoon of filling in the center of the dough circle.
Gather the edges of the dough and pleat/twist to seal the top. Ensure no filling is exposed.
Place each bun on a piece of parchment paper. Let them rest for 15 minutes.
Set up a steamer and steam the buns for 15 minutes over medium heat, ensuring the water stays at a steady boil.
Serve the buns warm, perfect as an appetizer or a main dish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1845 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 37.4 g | 48% | |
| Saturated Fat | 5.3 g | 26% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 16.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2927 mg | 127% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 328.6 g | 119% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 17.7 g | 63% | |
| Total Sugars | 23.3 g | ||
| Protein | 47.3 g | 95% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 127 mg | 10% | |
| Iron | 19.3 mg | 107% | |
| Potassium | 958 mg | 20% | |
*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.
