Lotus Leaf Steamed Rice with Mushrooms and Chinese Sausage

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-31 · Updated 2026-07-31

A fragrant steamed rice dish wrapped in lotus leaves, delivering a subtle floral aroma paired with savory mushrooms and sweet Chinese sausage. This Chinese-inspired rice and grain recipe, ready in about 85 minutes, pairs glutinous rice, dried lotus leaf, Chinese sausage (lap cheong) for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 cups glutinous rice
• 1 large, soaked dried lotus leaf
• 2 links, thinly sliced Chinese sausage (lap cheong)
• 6 dried, rehydrated and sliced shiitake mushrooms
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp minced ginger
• 2 finely chopped green onions
• 2 1/2 cups water
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 2 cups glutinous rice under cold water until water runs clear; soak in water for 3 hours, then drain completely.
2. Step 2: Soak 1 large dried lotus leaf in warm water for 30 minutes until pliable, then pat dry.
3. Step 3: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat; add 1 tbsp minced ginger and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Add 2 sliced Chinese sausage links and 6 sliced rehydrated shiitake mushrooms; cook for 3-4 minutes until sausage is slightly crisp.
5. Step 5: Stir in 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, and 2 tsp sesame oil; remove from heat and mix in 2 finely chopped green onions.
6. Step 6: Combine the drained rice with the sausage and mushroom mixture; gently fold to mix evenly.
7. Step 7: Lay lotus leaf flat, place the rice mixture in the center, and fold the leaf to enclose the rice securely.
8. Step 8: Place the wrapped lotus leaf in a steamer over boiling water; steam for 40 minutes until rice is tender and infused with lotus aroma.
9. Step 9: Carefully unwrap and serve hot as a fragrant main or side dish.