When it comes to Chinese food, everyone knows and loves Chinese takeout which is usually deep fried or a stir fry, but there's an under-rated way to make Chinese food at home, that's healthier and just as flavorful: Steaming!
Are you ready to try steaming your food? If you are, I'll show you a few ways you can can get started and give you a list of my favorite steamed recipes I love to use at home. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
Types of Steamers
Most Asian households have a dedicated steamer at home to steam their foods. They come in both bamboo form and full metal towers form, but if you don't have space, you can actually make a makeshift steamer with a pair of bamboo chopsticks and a wok, or you can buy a very inexpensive metal trivet to use with your pots at home!
How To Steam Foods at Home
Once you have your steamer setup, add water to the pot to right below the plate your steaming. You'll need enough water to steam for about 30 minutes (which is about at least 2 inches of water or more. It's important that you don't let the water touch the bottom of your plate you are steaming.
Once you have that setup, place your plate on top of the trivet or bamboo, set your stove to medium and you're ready to steam! Your pot must also have a lid, else you won't be able to trap the steam in.
Chinese Steamed Chicken
This Chinese Steamed Chicken recipe is a go-to for my family's weeknight dinners. From start to finish, it takes 30 minutes and it's a delicious, healthy, and easy meal option. The chicken is marinated with a delicious oyster sauce-based sauce and steamed with Chinese sausage (lap cheong) and shiitake mushrooms, making it a dish you'll want to enjoy with a big bowl of rice.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chinese Steamed Chicken Recipe
Chinese Steamed Pork Patty
This authentic Chinese steamed pork patty recipe (蒸肉餠, jing yuk beng) is a delicious blend of umami flavors from the Chinese sausage and preserved vegetables mixed with minced pork. It's juicy, rich, and a true Asian comfort food with a bowl of steamed rice.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Steamed Pork Patty
Steamed Spare Ribs with Black Bean Sauce
A quick and easy steamed spare ribs recipe with garlic and homemade black bean sauce that is big on flavor - this no longer has to be a dim sum only dish!
Get the Recipe: Steamed Spare Ribs with Black Bean Sauce
Steamed BBQ Pork Buns
Learn how to make authentic steamed char siu bao (Chinese steamed BBQ pork buns) just like a dim sum restaurant. The buns have very soft, fine, and fluffy bread with a juicy tender pork filling.
Get the Recipe: Steamed BBQ Pork Buns
Pearl Balls (Steamed Meatballs in Sticky Rice)
The tender and moist pork meatballs are covered with gooey rice. Fun to cook and great tasting!
Get the Recipe: Pearl Balls (Steamed Meatballs in Sticky Rice)
Steamed Eggplant in Nutty Sauce
Tender steamed eggplant is smothered in a garlicky nutty sauce that is slightly sour and sweet. The dish takes no time to prepare, is delicious, and healthy.
Get the Recipe: Steamed Eggplant in Nutty Sauce
Easy Steamed Edamame
This steamed edamame is a perfect side, snack or component for lunches. Steaming edamame is quick and easy!
Get the Recipe: Easy Steamed Edamame
Chinese Steamed Eggs
These homestyle Chinese steamed eggs give you a new way to enjoy one of the most versatile proteins there is, with their simple flavor and smooth, silky texture that you’ll love.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Steamed Eggs
Steamed Fish with Black Bean Sauce
No matter whether you want to learn the authentic Chinese way to make steamed fish or just want to spend a few minutes getting dinner ready, I’ve got you covered!
Get the Recipe: Steamed Fish with Black Bean Sauce
Steamed Dumplings
Everything you need to know about making fresh steamed dumplings dough from scratch, dumpling filling, the working process, and how to cook and store, with step-by-step photos and video.
Get the Recipe: Steamed Dumplings Recipe
Steamed Pork Buns with Chive
A thorough guide to making authentic Chinese steamed pork buns with chive, from scratch, including step-by-step photos and tips to help you succeed. The buns will come out extra juicy, fluffy, and tender – even better than those you get at a restaurant.
Get the Recipe: Steamed Pork Buns with Chive
Steamed Mussels with Ginger Oyster Sauce
Serve these steamed mussels in a refreshing and savory ginger oyster sauce, along with steamed asparagus and fries. It’s a lovely weekend meal that you can make with minimal effort. This one also doesn't require a steamer at all!
Get the Recipe: Steamed Mussels with Ginger Oyster Sauce
Steamed Bao Buns
Love bao buns? They’re perfect for making sandwiches with an Asian flair, and they’re made with such simple ingredients – it’s even better than getting them at the bakery!
Get the Recipe: Steamed Bao Buns
Easy Steamed Tofu
Silky tender tofu is steamed then drizzled with a fragrant aromatic oil and a rich sauce that is savory and sweet. It’s a beautiful hot appetizer that is simple and surprisingly satisfying. Serve it as a light meal with steamed rice or as part of a multi-course dinner.
Get the Recipe: Easy Steamed Tofu
Steamed Egg with Minced Pork
Steamed egg with minced pork is a comforting dish that you can enjoy at any time of day. The silky and tender egg curd is topped with crispy minced pork in a savory gravy. It takes less than 30 minutes to put together this delicious one-bowl meal.
Get the Recipe: Steamed Egg with Minced Pork
Chinese Steamed Custard Buns
Steamed custard buns are a dim sum classic, but are also the perfect dish for holiday gatherings and parties as well. Made with a yeast dough and steamed, the buns have a super soft and spongy texture with a smooth surface. The custard filling is creamy, fragrant, and sweet. It has a melt-in-your-mouth texture when warm.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Steamed Custard Buns
Steamed Salmon in Black Bean Sauce
The steamed salmon is cooked until tender and moist and the asparagus perfectly done. The dark black bean sauce complements both ingredients perfectly and turns these simple ingredients into a feast. The dish takes no time to set up and cook. And you’ll get a nutritious and delicious one-pan dinner in 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Steamed Salmon in Black Bean Sauce
Kimchi Pork Steamed Buns
This kimchi pork bun is absolutely delicious! The steamed bun is so fluffy and springy, and it's filled with mouthwatering spicy kimchi and moist pork. Learn the trick to creating the BEST filling with only four ingredients!
Get the Recipe: Kimchi Pork Steamed Buns
Nutty Steamed Buns
These nutty steamed buns are a perfect side for dinner. The buns are stuffed with sesame paste and sugar, then steamed until fluffy and light. They’re so comforting and great tasting that you don’t even need to serve other dishes to create a nice meal.
Get the Recipe: Nutty Steamed Buns
Homemade Soup Dumplings (Xiao Long Bao)
An easier Xiao Long Bao recipe that teaches you how to use commonly found ingredients to create restaurant-quality soup dumplings in your own kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Soup Dumplings (Xiao Long Bao)
More From Pups with Chopsticks - 14 Asian Grilled Recipes That Will Make Your Spring BBQs Unforgettable
Whether you are looking for a simple burger or a fun meat-on-sticks recipe to serve at your next get-together, here is a list of fantastic Asian grilled recipes you can (and should!) try the next time you fire up your grill.
14 Asian Grilled Recipes You Need to Try
18 Authentic Thai Recipes We Can't Get Enough Of
Because of its complex flavors, Thai food may seem intimidating to make at home, but I'm here to show you how to make delicious Thai food from the comfort of your home. From warm and cozy Thai curry soup to grilled chicken satay, here is a list of Thai recipes you must try at least once, and that is also easy to make at home for yourself or friends and family.
18 Authentic Thai Recipes We Can't Get Enough Of
This article originally appeared on Pups with Chopsticks.
Leave a Reply