Description
Char siu delivers juicy, tender pork marinated in a rich, sweet-savory sauce that melts in your mouth with authentic Chinese flavors. Grilling this classic dish brings restaurant-quality results right to your home kitchen, making your next meal seriously delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 lbs pork shoulder
Marinade and Seasoning:
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons Chinese rice wine
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon five-spice powder
Aromatics and Coloring:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red food coloring
Instructions
- Cut the 2 lbs pork shoulder into long, uniform strips about 2 inches wide to ensure even cooking and perfect marinade absorption.
- Combine ¼ cup soy sauce, ¼ cup honey, 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce, 2 tablespoons rice wine, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon five-spice powder, 2 minced garlic cloves, and ½ teaspoon red food coloring in a mixing bowl, whisking until your sauce looks glossy and well-integrated.
- Submerge your pork strips completely in the marinade, ensuring each piece gets thoroughly coated. Seal the container and refrigerate for 4-8 hours, turning the meat occasionally to distribute flavors evenly.
- Remove pork from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to bring meat to room temperature. Preheat your oven to 375°F with the rack positioned in the middle position.
- Transfer marinated pork strips onto a wire rack positioned over a rimmed baking sheet to catch drippings. Discard remaining marinade to prevent bacterial contamination.
- Roast the pork at 375°F for 30 minutes, creating a golden exterior and maintaining internal moisture.
- Switch oven to broil at 500°F. Broil your pork for 5-7 minutes, watching carefully to achieve beautiful caramelized edges without burning.
- Remove pork from oven and let rest for 10 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute. Slice against the grain into thin, elegant pieces ready for serving.
Notes
- Choosing the right cut of pork shoulder makes all the difference, as the fat content ensures tender, juicy meat that caramelizes beautifully.
- Marinating overnight allows the deep flavors of five-spice and hoisin to penetrate completely, transforming an ordinary piece of meat into something extraordinary.
- Basting during cooking keeps the meat moist and helps develop that classic glossy, caramelized exterior that makes char siu so appealing.
- For a healthier version, swap honey with maple syrup and use reduced-sodium soy sauce, which works great for those watching their diet without sacrificing flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Pork
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 481 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 1010 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 39 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg