Heart-Healthy Chinese BBQ Pork (Char Siu)

Transform your favorite Chinese takeout dish into a guilt-free indulgence with this Heart-Healthy Chinese BBQ Pork (Char Siu). Crafted with lean pork tenderloin and a flavorful marinade of low-sodium soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, and a touch of Chinese five-spice powder, this recipe delivers all the savory-sweet richness of traditional char siu without the extra sodium or saturated fat. Marinated to perfection and oven-roasted for a succulent finish, this dish is ideal for those seeking a lighter alternative without sacrificing bold, authentic flavor. Perfect for meal prep or a crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner, serve it alongside steamed greens or fluffy rice for a balanced, irresistible meal. Whether you're looking for hearty comfort food or a health-conscious twist, this recipe proves that you can have it all!

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound Pork tenderloin
• 2 tablespoons Low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons Hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon Honey
• 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine or dry sherry
• 1 teaspoon Sesame oil
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Fresh ginger, minced
• 0.5 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
• 0.25 cup Low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 drop Red food coloring (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Trim any remaining fat from the pork tenderloin and cut it into long strips, about 1.5 inches wide.

Step 2

In a bowl, mix together the low-sodium soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, minced garlic, minced ginger, Chinese five-spice powder, chicken broth, and optional red food coloring to create the marinade.

Step 3

Place the pork strips into a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over the pork. Massage the marinade into the meat to ensure it is fully coated.

Step 4

Seal the bag or cover the dish, then refrigerate it, allowing the pork to marinate for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight for the best flavor.

Step 5

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking tray with aluminum foil. Place a wire rack on top of the tray.

Step 6

Remove the pork from the marinade and place it onto the wire rack, allowing excess marinade to drip off. Reserve the marinade for basting.

Step 7

Bake the pork in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, turning once halfway through cooking.

Step 8

In the last 10 minutes of cooking, use the reserved marinade to baste the pork occasionally to keep it moist and flavorful.

Step 9

Check the internal temperature of the pork with an instant-read thermometer; it should reach 145°F (63°C).

Step 10

Once cooked, let the pork rest for 5 minutes before slicing it thinly.

Step 11

Serve warm, and enjoy a healthier twist on this delicious Chinese BBQ classic.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(635.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	911.8

Total Fat 30.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8.6g
Cholesterol 309.4mg	0%
Sodium 3077.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 37.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 1.4g	0%
Total Sugars 26.3g
Protein 117.8g	0%

Vitamin D 36.3IU	0%
Calcium 55.4mg	0%
Iron 6.7mg	0%
Potassium 2178.4mg	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: 30.7%

Protein: 52.6%

Carbs: 16.7%