Steamed Lotus Leaf-Wrapped Sticky Rice with Mushrooms and Chinese Sausage

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Glutinous rice infused with savory mushrooms and sweet Chinese sausage, steamed in fragrant lotus leaves inspired by Hunan’s lotus heritage. This chinese-inspired rice & grains ready in about 320 minutes pairs glutinous rice, soy sauce, oyster sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

Prep: 270 min Cook: 50 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 420 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 250 g glutinous rice thoroughly and soak in water for 4 hours, then drain completely.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add 1 tsp minced ginger and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 5 soaked and sliced dried shiitake mushrooms and 1 thinly sliced Chinese sausage link, stir-frying for 3-4 minutes until the sausage releases oils and mushrooms soften.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, and 1 tsp sesame oil, cooking for another minute to meld flavors.
  5. Step 5: Combine the cooked mixture with the drained sticky rice, folding gently to coat the rice evenly.
  6. Step 6: Cut 2 soaked lotus leaves into portions large enough to wrap the rice mixture. Place a portion of rice mixture in the center of each leaf, wrap tightly, and secure with kitchen twine.
  7. Step 7: Arrange the wrapped parcels in a steamer basket over boiling water, cover, and steam for 45 minutes until the rice is tender and fully cooked.
  8. Step 8: Garnish with 2 chopped spring onions before serving, unwrapping the lotus leaf to reveal the fragrant rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Steamed Lotus Leaf-Wrapped Sticky Rice with Mushrooms and Chinese Sausage take to make?

Total time is about 320 minutes (270 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Steamed Lotus Leaf-Wrapped Sticky Rice with Mushrooms and Chinese Sausage?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep glutinous rice from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Steamed Lotus Leaf-Wrapped Sticky Rice with Mushrooms and Chinese Sausage?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Steamed Lotus Leaf-Wrapped Sticky Rice with Mushrooms and Chinese Sausage for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Steamed Lotus Leaf-Wrapped Sticky Rice with Mushrooms and Chinese Sausage?

Chinese rice & grains like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes