Description
Char Siu delivers mouthwatering Chinese barbecue pork that brings authentic restaurant flavors right to your kitchen. Marinated with sweet and savory spices, this tender roasted meat will become your new favorite weekend cooking adventure.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Proteins:
- 2 lbs pork shoulder
Cooking Liquids and Seasonings:
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons Chinese rice wine
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
Sweeteners and Aromatics:
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 teaspoons five-spice powder
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- 1 teaspoon red food coloring
- 2 tablespoons maltose
Instructions
- Cut the pork shoulder into long, 2-inch thick rectangular pieces, trimming excess fat but keeping a thin layer for moisture.
- Combine ¼ cup hoisin sauce, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 3 tablespoons rice wine, 3 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 teaspoons five-spice powder, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, ½ teaspoon white pepper, and 1 teaspoon food coloring in a mixing bowl.
- Transfer pork pieces to a large zip-lock bag and pour marinade over the meat, ensuring complete coverage.
- Seal the bag and refrigerate for 4-8 hours, rotating occasionally to distribute marinade evenly.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Remove pork from marinade, saving the liquid for basting, and place meat pieces on the prepared baking sheet with slight separation.
- Roast for 20 minutes, then brush generously with reserved marinade.
- Continue roasting for 20-25 minutes, basting every 10 minutes to enhance flavor and moisture.
- Check that the internal temperature reaches 145°F using a meat thermometer.
- Optional: Brush 2 tablespoons maltose over the pork during the final 5 minutes for a glossy exterior.
- Remove from oven and let the meat rest for 10 minutes.
- Slice against the grain into thin pieces for serving.
Notes
- Always choose a pork shoulder with a nice fat marbling for maximum flavor and tenderness.
- Marinate the meat for at least 4 hours, but overnight will give you deeper, more complex taste notes.
- When roasting, baste frequently to keep the meat moist and develop a gorgeous caramelized exterior.
- For a gluten-free version, swap traditional soy sauce with tamari and check that your hoisin sauce is gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Pork
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 335 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg