Heart-Healthy Char Siew (Chinese Barbecue Pork)

Indulge your taste buds guilt-free with this Heart-Healthy Char Siew, a lean and flavorful take on the classic Chinese barbecue pork. This recipe swaps out fatty cuts of meat for tender pork tenderloin and incorporates a bold yet wholesome marinade made with low-sodium soy sauce, honey, hoisin, and aromatic Chinese five-spice powder. Slow-roasted to perfection and basted in a richly caramelized glaze, this dish achieves all the sweet, smoky, and savory flavors you love—without compromising your health goals. With just 10 minutes of prep, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping, and it pairs beautifully with brown rice or a crisp green salad for a balanced heart-smart meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb Pork tenderloin
• 3 tablespoons Low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons Honey
• 2 tablespoons Hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon Ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
• 1 teaspoon Freshly grated ginger
• 1 teaspoon Vegetable oil

Directions

Step 1

Trim any visible fat off the pork tenderloin to ensure it's lean, then pat dry with paper towels and set aside.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce, honey, hoisin sauce, ketchup, rice vinegar, garlic powder, Chinese five-spice powder, and freshly grated ginger to make the marinade.

Step 3

Place the pork tenderloin in a plastic zip-lock bag or a shallow dish and pour the marinade over it. Ensure the pork is evenly coated. Seal and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for more flavor.

Step 4

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup and place a wire rack on top.

Step 5

Remove the pork from the marinade, allowing excess to drip off (reserve the marinade). Place the pork on the wire rack.

Step 6

In a small saucepan, bring the reserved marinade to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes or until it thickens slightly. This will kill any bacteria from the raw pork and also serve as a glaze.

Step 7

Brush a light coat of vegetable oil on the pork tenderloin to prevent sticking, then roast in the oven for 30-35 minutes, basting with the thickened marinade every 10 minutes.

Step 8

Check for doneness with an instant-read thermometer; it should register 145°F (63°C) when inserted into the thickest part of the pork.

Step 9

Remove the pork from the oven and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing. This helps the juices redistribute, keeping the pork moist and tender.

Step 10

Slice the Char Siew into thin pieces and serve with your choice of brown rice or a fresh green salad for a complete heart-healthy meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(613.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	901.9

Total Fat 20.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.6g
Cholesterol 309.4mg	0%
Sodium 3622.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 59.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 1.5g	0%
Total Sugars 45.9g
Protein 119.5g	0%

Vitamin D 36.3IU	0%
Calcium 50.8mg	0%
Iron 7.3mg	0%
Potassium 2191.0mg	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: 20.9%

Protein: 53.0%

Carbs: 26.2%