Here’s a straightforward guide to making Chinese BBQ Pork (Char Siu)—sweet, savory, and perfect for home cooking 🍖✨
🍖 Chinese BBQ Pork (Char Siu)
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) pork shoulder or tenderloin
- 2–3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey (or sugar for caramelization)
- 1 teaspoon five-spice powder
- 1 tablespoon Chinese cooking wine (Shaoxing wine) or dry sherry
- Optional: red food coloring for classic Char Siu color
Instructions
- Prep the pork
- Slice into long strips, ~1–1.5 inches thick.
- Pat dry with a paper towel.
- Marinate
- Mix hoisin, soy sauce, honey, five-spice powder, and Chinese wine in a bowl.
- Coat pork evenly and marinate at least 2 hours, ideally overnight in the fridge.
- Cook
Oven method:- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place pork on a baking sheet or wire rack.
- Roast 25–30 minutes, brushing with leftover marinade every 10 minutes.
- Optional: Broil 2–3 minutes at the end for a caramelized finish.
Alternative: Grill or pan-sear for a smoky flavor.
- Serve
- Slice thinly and serve with rice, noodles, or in buns.
✅ Tips
- Cut against the grain for tenderness.
- Marinate longer for deeper flavor.
- For sticky glaze, brush honey or sugar-water mixture during cooking.
I can also give you a super quick 3-ingredient Char Siu that’s beginner-friendly and still tastes authentic.
Do you want me to do that?
