The Best Tender Bao Buns
These homemade tender beef bao buns are soft, fluffy, and filled with juicy, flavorful beef. Perfect for family dinners or meal prep, they’re easy to make with a simple dough and savory filling. Whether pan-fried for a crispy crust or steamed for a soft bite, these bao buns are a restaurant-quality treat you can enjoy at home!
Ingredients
Instructions
Make the Dough: In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Gradually add warm water and vegetable oil, kneading until a smooth dough forms. Cover and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Prepare the Filling: In a skillet, heat sesame oil over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger, sautéing until fragrant. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Stir in soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, cornstarch, sugar, and black pepper. Cook until thickened, then mix in green onions. Let cool.
Assemble the Bao: Divide dough into equal portions and roll into circles. Place a spoonful of beef filling in the center of each, then pinch edges to seal.
Cook the Bao:
Pan-Fry Method: Heat oil in a skillet, place buns seam-side down, and cook until golden brown. Add a splash of water, cover, and steam for 8 minutes.
Steaming Method: Place buns in a steamer lined with parchment paper. Steam for 12-15 minutes until puffy.
Serve Warm and Enjoy!
