Authentic Char Siu BBQ Pork
Char Siu is a beloved Cantonese dish known for its sweet and savory flavor, featuring tender, juicy roasted pork. The key to achieving the signature deep red glaze and irresistible taste lies in the marinade, which combines hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and honey. By roasting the pork over a steaming water bath, we keep the meat moist and flavorful, while the sweet glaze caramelizes beautifully in the oven. Perfectly served as a main dish or sliced thin for sandwiches, this recipe is sure to impress at any lunch or gathering.
4-6
Servings
260
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Boneless pork butt
1.5 lbs (cut into long strips, 2 inches wide)
Hoisin sauce
1/4 cup (none)
Soy sauce
1/2 cup (none)
Sugar
2 tablespoons (none)
Rice wine
1 tablespoon (none)
Vegetable oil
1 tablespoon (none)
Salt
1.5 teaspoons (none)
Honey
1/4 cup (none)
Instructions
1
Begin by slicing the boneless pork butt into long strips that are approximately 2 inches wide.
2
To enhance the absorption of the marinade, score the surface of each pork strip with 3 to 4 shallow diagonal cuts.
3
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, sugar, rice wine, vegetable oil, and salt to create the marinade.
4
Add the pork strips to the marinade, turning them to ensure an even coat. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, allowing the flavors to penetrate the meat.
5
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) while you prepare to roast the pork.
6
After marinating, remove the pork from the marinade and set aside. Take the reserved marinade and mix it with the honey, stirring until well combined.
7
Place the marinated pork strips on a wire rack within a baking pan, ensuring they do not touch the bottom.
8
Carefully pour water into the baking pan, filling it just below the level of the rack to create steam during roasting.
9
Roast the pork for 20 minutes, then turn each strip over.
10
Using a brush, coat the top of the pork with the honey marinade, then return the pork to the oven and continue roasting until fully cooked, about 20 more minutes, or until no pink remains in the thickest part.
11
Once cooked, remove the pork from the oven, let it rest briefly, then slice into smaller pieces and serve, either hot or cold.
Nutrition Information
15g
Fat
20g
Carbs
15g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Authentic Char Siu BBQ Pork?
Char Siu is a beloved Cantonese dish known for its sweet and savory flavor, featuring tender, juicy roasted pork with a signature deep red glaze.
What cut of meat is best for Char Siu?
This recipe recommends using 1.5 lbs of boneless pork butt cut into long strips for the best flavor and texture.
How should the pork be prepared before marinating?
Slice the pork butt into strips 2 inches wide and score the surface with 3 to 4 shallow diagonal cuts to enhance marinade absorption.
What ingredients are in the Char Siu marinade?
The marinade consists of hoisin sauce, soy sauce, sugar, rice wine, vegetable oil, and salt.
How long should the pork marinate?
The pork should be refrigerated in the marinade for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
What is the roasting temperature for Char Siu?
The oven should be preheated and set to 375°F (190°C) for roasting the pork.
How do you make the glaze for the pork?
The glaze is made by mixing the reserved marinade with 1/4 cup of honey.
Why is water added to the baking pan?
Water is added to create steam during roasting, which keeps the pork moist and flavorful.
How do you arrange the pork for roasting?
Place the marinated pork strips on a wire rack within a baking pan, ensuring they do not touch the bottom.
How long does it take to roast Char Siu?
The total roasting time is approximately 40 minutes, with the meat being turned and glazed halfway through.
When should I apply the honey glaze?
After the first 20 minutes of roasting, turn the pork and brush the top with the honey marinade before finishing the roast.
How do I know when the Char Siu is done?
The pork is done when it is fully cooked and no pink remains in the thickest part of the meat, usually after about 40 minutes.
Should the pork rest after cooking?
Yes, remove the pork from the oven and let it rest briefly before slicing to ensure it remains juicy.
Can Char Siu be served cold?
Yes, Char Siu can be served either hot or cold, making it versatile for many dishes.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe provides approximately 4 to 6 servings.
How many calories are in a serving of Char Siu?
There are approximately 260 calories per serving of this BBQ pork.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving contains about 15 grams of protein.
What is the fat content of this dish?
There are 15 grams of fat per serving in this recipe.
How many carbohydrates are in this recipe?
Each serving contains 20 grams of carbohydrates.
What are the primary flavor profiles of Char Siu?
Char Siu is characterized by its sweet and savory profile, primarily driven by hoisin, soy, and honey.
What type of cuisine is Char Siu?
Char Siu is a traditional Cantonese cuisine dish.
Can I use this pork for sandwiches?
Absolutely, it is perfect when sliced thin for sandwiches or served as a main dish.
Is there salt in the marinade?
Yes, the recipe calls for 1.5 teaspoons of salt in the marinade.
What amount of soy sauce is used?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of soy sauce for the marinade.
How much honey is required?
You will need 1/4 cup of honey to mix with the reserved marinade for the glaze.
Does this recipe use vegetable oil?
Yes, 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil is included in the marinade.
How much hoisin sauce is needed?
The recipe requires 1/4 cup of hoisin sauce.
What size should the pork strips be cut?
The pork butt should be cut into strips approximately 2 inches wide.
Can I use rice wine in the marinade?
Yes, 1 tablespoon of rice wine is used to add authentic flavor to the marinade.
What kind of sugar is used?
The recipe specifies using 2 tablespoons of sugar in the marinade mixture.