Chinese Char Siu Pork (The best of grilled Cantonese pork marinated in savory sauce)
Embark on a culinary journey to China with our Chinese Char Siu Pork recipe. This iconic Cantonese dish features pork marinated in a sweet and savory sauce, then roasted or grilled to perfection, resulting in tender and flavorful meat with a beautiful caramelized exterior.
Preparation and Cooking Time
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Marinating Time: 4 hours to overnight
- Cooking Time: 30-40 minutes
Number of Servings
- Servings: 4-6
Ingredients
- 2 pounds pork shoulder or pork tenderloin
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons Chinese rice wine or dry sherry
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red food coloring (optional, for color)
- Sliced green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
Directions
- Whisk together hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, Chinese rice wine or dry sherry, brown sugar, minced garlic, Chinese five-spice powder, ground white pepper, and red food coloring (if using) to create the marinade.
- Place the pork shoulder or pork tenderloin in a shallow dish, and pour the marinade over the meat, ensuring it is well coated. Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Remove the pork from the marinade, reserving the marinade for basting.
- Place the pork on a wire rack set over a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Roast in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the pork is cooked through and caramelized on the outside, basting occasionally with the reserved marinade.
- Once the pork is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
- Slice the Char Siu Pork into thin slices and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
Nutrition Information
- Calories: Approximately 300 per serving
- Total Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
- Sodium: 600mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 15g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 12g
- Protein: 25g
Historical and Cultural Significance
Char Siu, which translates to “fork roast” in Cantonese, is a popular dish in Cantonese cuisine and is often associated with Cantonese barbecue shops and restaurants. It has a long history dating back to ancient China and is traditionally made with pork, which is marinated and roasted until caramelized and tender.
Special Tips
- For extra flavor, you can add a tablespoon of hoisin sauce or honey to the reserved marinade before basting the pork during roasting.
- Serve Char Siu Pork with steamed buns, known as bao, for a classic Cantonese barbecue experience, or with stir-fried vegetables and noodles for a complete meal.
- Char Siu Pork can also be served as a main course with steamed rice and vegetables, or sliced and used in sandwiches, noodles, or fried rice.
- Can’t find Chinese rice wine or dry sherry? You can substitute with mirin or apple cider vinegar mixed with a pinch of sugar.
Download the printable recipe below
Chinese Char Siu Pork Recipe
Embark on a culinary journey to China with our Chinese Char Siu Pork recipe. This iconic Cantonese dish features pork marinated in a sweet and savory sauce, then roasted or grilled to perfection, resulting in tender and flavorful meat with a beautiful caramelized exterior.
Ingredients
2 pounds pork shoulder or pork tenderloin
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons Chinese rice wine or dry sherry
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/4 teaspoon red food coloring (optional, for color)
Sliced green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
Directions
- Whisk together hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, Chinese rice wine or dry sherry, brown sugar, minced garlic, Chinese five-spice powder, ground white pepper, and red food coloring (if using) to create the marinade.
- Place the pork shoulder or pork tenderloin in a shallow dish, and pour the marinade over the meat, ensuring it is well coated. Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Remove the pork from the marinade, reserving the marinade for basting.
- Place the pork on a wire rack set over a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Roast in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the pork is cooked through and caramelized on the outside, basting occasionally with the reserved marinade.
- Once the pork is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
- Slice the Char Siu Pork into thin slices and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
- Special Tips
+ For extra flavor, you can add a tablespoon of hoisin sauce or honey to the reserved marinade before basting the pork during roasting.
+ Serve Char Siu Pork with steamed buns, known as bao, for a classic Cantonese barbecue experience, or with stir-fried vegetables and noodles for a complete meal. - + Char Siu Pork can also be served as a main course with steamed rice and vegetables, or sliced and used in sandwiches, noodles, or fried rice.
Can't find Chinese rice wine or dry sherry? You can substitute with mirin or apple cider vinegar mixed with a pinch of sugar.
