Char Siew (Chinese Barbecue Pork)

Experience the irresistible flavors of Char Siew (Chinese Barbecue Pork), a beloved Cantonese dish known for its tantalizing mix of sweetness, savoriness, and a hint of smoky caramelization. This recipe features tender strips of pork shoulder or pork belly, marinated in a rich blend of hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, and five-spice powder, then roasted to perfection. The optional touch of red food coloring gives the dish its signature crimson hue, while regular basting ensures a juicy, flavorful finish with beautifully charred edges. Ideal for serving alongside steamed rice or noodles, Char Siew is a crowd-pleasing favorite that brings authentic Chinese barbecue flavors straight to your kitchen. Perfect for food enthusiasts looking to recreate classic Cantonese cuisine at home!

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1000 grams Pork shoulder or pork belly
• 50 grams Sugar
• 30 grams Honey
• 3 tablespoons Hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Dark soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
• 1 tablespoon Oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon Five-spice powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Red food coloring (optional)
• 4 cloves Garlic (minced)

Directions

Step 1

Begin by preparing the marinade. In a mixing bowl, combine the sugar, honey, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, oyster sauce, five-spice powder, and optional red food coloring. Mix well until the sugar is fully dissolved.

Step 2

Add the minced garlic into the marinade and stir to incorporate.

Step 3

Cut the pork shoulder or pork belly into strips approximately 2 inches wide for even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.

Step 4

Place the pork strips into a large resealable bag or a non-reactive container. Pour the marinade over the pork, ensuring all pieces are fully coated. Seal the bag or cover the container and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight for the best results.

Step 5

Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F) and line a baking tray with aluminum foil or a wire rack. Place the marinated pork on the tray or rack, reserving the leftover marinade.

Step 6

Roast the pork in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Meanwhile, brush the pork with the reserved marinade every 10 minutes to keep it moist and flavorful.

Step 7

After 25 minutes, turn the oven setting to broil (at the same temperature), and roast for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the pork is slightly charred and caramelized on the edges. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning.

Step 8

Once cooked, remove the char siew from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

Step 9

Slice the char siew into thin pieces and serve warm with steamed rice or noodles. Enjoy your homemade Char Siew!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1228.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2973.6

Total Fat 202.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 70.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.9g
Cholesterol 701.4mg	0%
Sodium 4153.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 107.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 3.1g	0%
Total Sugars 88.0g
Protein 187.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 174.7mg	0%
Iron 13.3mg	0%
Potassium 3008.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 60.7%

Protein: 25.0%

Carbs: 14.3%