Enjoy Delicious Steamed Egg With Minced Pork At Home

Steamed egg with minced pork is a classic Cantonese dish that is simple to make yet packed with flavor. This protein-rich meal can be on your dinner table in under 30 minutes. Follow our step-by-step instructions to recreate this restaurant favorite in your kitchen.

Overview of Steamed Egg with Minced Pork 

Steamed egg with minced pork, known as Rou Sui Zheng Dan in Cantonese, is a common home-cooked dish in Chinese households. The dish features a velvety steamed egg custard topped with fragrant, umami-rich minced pork.

The steamed egg provides the base with its soft, silky texture, while the pork adds another layer of texture and savoriness. Together, they create a comforting combination perfect for dinner.

The recipe is surprisingly simple to prepare with just a few essential components, despite sounding foreign. You can whip this dish up anytime once you learn how to steam the egg properly for that signature texture.

History and Origins

Steamed egg dishes have a long history in Chinese cuisine, dating back centuries. The origin of steaming eggs is believed to be from the Shanghai region. Gently cooking eggs in a steamer results in a smooth, custard-like texture. 

Steamed eggs are called zhengdan in Mandarin Chinese. They eventually became a staple home cooking ingredient across many regions of China. Each area developed its variations featuring local ingredients.

The Cantonese version often includes minced pork as a topping. The pork amplifies the savoriness of the egg and provides a delightful contrasting texture. Other common add-ins include shrimp, mushrooms, and vegetables.

While associated with Cantonese cuisine, steamed egg with minced pork is popular in China today. You can find it in restaurants globally in Chinatowns and Asian districts.

Benefits of Making Steamed Egg with Minced Pork

Here are some of the benefits of making steamed eggs with minced pork at home:

• Cost savings – Cooking this dish yourself is significantly cheaper than ordering takeout. The ingredients are simple and affordable.
• Customization – You can adjust ingredients to suit your tastes, such as using chicken or beef instead of pork.
• Healthier – Homemade versions use less oil and salt than takeout. You control what goes into your food.
• Quick and easy – You can prepare dinner quickly with little preparation and basic cooking methods.
• Impress guests – This unique dish makes an excellent starter or side to impress dinner guests.

Now, let’s get into the step-by-step instructions on how to make this flavorful steamed delight!

Selecting the Right Ingredients

The secret to excellent steamed egg with minced pork lies in the ingredients:

Pork

Choose fatty ground pork with about 20% fat content. This guarantees that the meat will remain juicy and tender after cooking. Lean pork can become dry and rubbery.

You can also use chicken or beef mince for variety. For seafood lovers, add shrimp or scallops to the pork.

Eggs

Regular large eggs work great. You can also use free-range or organic eggs for richer flavor.

Aromatics 

Minced garlic and green onions are classic Cantonese flavorings. Opt for fresh versus jarred versions for maximum taste. 

Ginger, cilantro, sesame oil, oyster sauce, and soy sauce enhance the pork.

Liquid

Water, chicken, or vegetable broth all work for the egg mixture. Broth adds more flavor complexity.

Steaming Vessel 

A flat heatproof bowl or dish with 2-3 inch sides is ideal. It should fit in your steamer basket. Ceramic and stainless steel work well.

Now that you know what to buy, let’s learn how to cook steamed eggs with minced pork!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps for a foolproof steamed egg with minced pork:

Step 1: Prepare the pork

1. Combine the ground pork, soy sauce, sesame oil, white pepper, salt, cornstarch, water, and minced garlic in a bowl. Mix well until evenly incorporated.
2. Add the chopped green onions and give it a final mix.
3. Set aside the pork mixture for later.

Step 2: Make the egg custard

1. The eggs should only be lightly beaten in a basin until they are well combined. Avoid overbeating, as it will create air bubbles.
2. Add salt and water or broth. Mix gently until well combined.

Step 3: Cook the pork and egg

1. Spread the pork mixture evenly in a thin layer in your steaming dish. 
2. Gently pour the egg mixture over the pork.
3. Cover the dish tightly with foil or a lid. 
4. Steam the dish for 12-15 minutes over medium heat until the egg is set but still jiggly in the middle.
5. After turning off the heat, leave it covered for a few minutes so that any remaining steam can help the food finish cooking.

Step 4: Finish and serve 

1. Carefully remove the dish from the steamer.
2. Drizzle sesame oil and soy sauce over the egg. 
3. Garnish with extra chopped green onions.
4. Enjoy immediately while hot!

The pork should be fully cooked, and the egg should have a soft, smooth, custard-like texture. Be careful not to overcook, or the egg will become rubbery.

Achieving the Perfect Texture

Getting the ideal velvety smooth texture for the steamed egg takes some technique:

• Use warmer liquid rather than cold to avoid curdling the eggs too fast.
• Gently mix the eggs rather than vigorously beat them to limit air bubbles.
• To collect any fragments, strain the mixture through a fine mesh screen.
• Steam over medium-low gentle heat to cook slowly and evenly.
• Test doneness early and err on the side of undercooked. Overcooked eggs toughen.
• Allow the residual steam to finish the cooking once removed from heat.

It may take some trial and error to perfect the texture. Start checking a few minutes before the recipe time. With practice, you can nail that signature silky steamed egg!

Serving Suggestions

Steamed egg with minced pork is delicious on its own, but here are some serving ideas:

• Serve atop a serving of light white rice. The egg sauce drizzled over rice is divine.
• Enjoy stir-fried Asian greens like bok choy, choy sum, or yu choy. 
• Pair with a light soup such as wonton or egg drop soup.
• Stuff inside Chinese steamed buns to make flavorful pork buns.
• Use Chinese crispy spring rolls and julienned vegetables as a filling.
• Top congee or jook with a spoonful of the steamed egg pork.
• Offer as an appetizer by spooning into mini-tarts or lettuce cups.

This versatile dish works for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything!

Recipe Variations 

Once you master the classic version, try these tasty variations:

• Use chicken or beef instead of pork.
• Add shrimp, scallops, fishcake, or mushrooms.
• Stir in diced firm tofu for a vegan version.
• Top with XO sauce, oyster sauce, or chili oil for extra flavor.
• Make a sweet dessert by using coconut milk and topping with fruit.
• Mix in cheese and western herbs for a Chinese-inspired quiche.
• Add diced toasted bread or croutons to the egg for more texture.

Let your imagination run wild! The possibilities are endless.

Storage and Reheating 

Here are some tips for storing and reheating leftovers:

• Allow to cool completely before refrigerating in a sealed container. It will take 2-3 days.
• To reheat, place in a steamer basket over boiling water for 5-10 minutes until hot. Take care not to oversteam, or the texture will suffer.
• Microwaving is not recommended as it makes the egg rubbery.
• Add a bit of broth or water if the mixture seems dry after reheating.
• Keep reheating time short and heat gently to preserve the soft texture.

Enjoy steamed egg with minced pork freshly cooked if possible, but properly stored leftovers make a quick meal, too.

Time to Try This Satisfying Steamed Delight

Steamed egg with minced pork is the ultimate easy yet impressive Chinese comfort food. You can prepare this flavorful, savory steamed delicacy in about 30 minutes. 

Follow our instructions for foolproof, velvety egg custard and juicy pork topping. Feel free to get creative with ingredients and serving suggestions.

Once you get the hang of cooking, this traditional Cantonese dish will become your go-to option for hectic weeknights or relaxed get-togethers with friends. Enjoy restaurant-quality food and savings by making steamed eggs with minced pork at home.

Frequently Asked Questions