How to Make Your Own Steamed Bun Filling

Steamed bun fillings
Photo by L.Steward Masweneng on Unsplash

Steamed buns are a delicious and, if you like, nutritious snack. They are also quite versatile. You can fill them with something sweet, or you can make a more substantial filling for a nice meal. Here are a couple fillings to try that taste delicious.

Sweet: Red Bean Paste

Making your own red bean paste is super easy, if a bit time consuming. You’ll need one part dried red adzuki beans, one part sugar, and a pinch of salt. Start by putting your red beans in a pot with some water and bringing to a boil. Once boiling, drain the water—this will help remove the “bean-y” taste—and then add fresh water to continue cooking. Cook until the beans are mashable, anywhere from one to three hours, adding water as needed. Finally, drain the water, add your sugar and salt, mix, and mash into a paste.

Substantial: Ground Chicken

For a healthy filling with protein, try cooking some ground meat or meat replacement along with spices and some broth. Start by frying onions and toasting whatever spices you like, then add ground meat and a few spoonfuls of broth or stock to the pan. Stir and cook until the moisture cooks off and the mixture thickens. Try adding some frozen peas and carrots for some extra nutrients. Make sure to cook until it’s no longer watery, to a consistency that won’t run when folded into the bun dough.