Chinese Barbecued Pork Char Siu Cook's Illustrated

Transform your kitchen into a Cantonese barbecue haven with this classic Chinese Barbecued Pork Char Siu recipe from Cook's Illustrated. Featuring succulent pork shoulder marinated in a luscious blend of soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, and aromatic five-spice powder, this dish delivers the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and umami flavors. Skillfully roasted and basted with a glossy glaze, the pork develops a mouthwatering caramelized crust reminiscent of authentic Chinese barbecue stalls. Perfectly tender and bursting with flavor, this Char Siu is versatile enough to serve over steamed rice, alongside stir-fried noodles, or as a standout filling for bao buns. With step-by-step instructions and easily accessible ingredients, this recipe makes it simple to enjoy restaurant-quality Chinese barbecue at home!

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pounds Pork shoulder (boneless, trimmed of excess fat)
• 3 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons Hoisin sauce
• 3 tablespoons Honey
• 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
• 2 tablespoons Brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon Sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon Five-spice powder
• 1 teaspoon Grated fresh ginger
• 2 cloves Minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon Red food coloring (optional)
• 1 tablespoon Vegetable oil
• 1 cup Water

Directions

Step 1

Cut the pork shoulder into long strips about 2 inches wide for even cooking.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, Shaoxing wine, brown sugar, oyster sauce, sesame oil, five-spice powder, grated ginger, minced garlic, and red food coloring (if using). Reserve 1/4 cup of the marinade for basting later.

Step 3

Place the pork strips into a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the pork, ensuring all pieces are fully coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight.

Step 4

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and set a wire rack on top. Lightly oil the rack to prevent sticking.

Step 5

Remove the pork from the marinade and let any excess marinade drip off. Place the pork onto the prepared wire rack.

Step 6

Roast the pork in the oven for 20 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through cooking.

Step 7

While the pork is roasting, combine the reserved marinade with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and 1 cup of water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until it thickens into a glaze.

Step 8

After 20 minutes of roasting, brush the pork generously with the glaze. Continue roasting for another 15-20 minutes, basting every 5 minutes, until the pork is deeply caramelized and the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).

Step 9

Remove the pork from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Step 10

Serve the Char Siu as a main dish with rice or noodles, or use it as a filling for bao buns or Chinese pastries.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1416.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2946.1

Total Fat 192.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 63.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 15.1g
Cholesterol 727.2mg	0%
Sodium 3671.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 100.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 3.0g	0%
Total Sugars 82.6g
Protein 206.6g	0%

Vitamin D 63.5IU	0%
Calcium 183.1mg	0%
Iron 10.5mg	0%
Potassium 3337.1mg	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: 58.5%

Protein: 27.9%

Carbs: 13.6%