Low Fat Charsiew (Chinese BBQ Pork)

Indulge in all the smoky, caramelized flavors of Chinese BBQ pork with this healthier twist on a classic: Low Fat Charsiew (Chinese BBQ Pork). This recipe swaps out fatty cuts for lean pork tenderloin while maintaining the authentic sweet-and-savory glaze, made from a flavorful mix of low-sodium soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, and Chinese five spice powder. A quick oven roast gives the pork its signature caramelization, and a final broil ensures beautifully charred edges. Perfectly tender and packed with bold flavors, this guilt-free Charsiew pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or crisp vegetables. Ready in just 45 minutes and marinated to perfection, it’s an easy and satisfying way to enjoy a healthier take on a timeless Chinese favorite. Keywords: Low fat Charsiew, Chinese BBQ pork, healthy recipe, Chinese marinade, lean pork tenderloin.

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams Pork tenderloin
• 3 tablespoons Low sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons Hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon Honey
• 1 tablespoon Rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Chinese five spice powder
• 5 drops Red food coloring (optional)
• 1 spray Vegetable oil spray

Directions

Step 1

Cut the pork tenderloin into 2-inch wide strips or chunks for even cooking.

Step 2

In a bowl, combine the low sodium soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic powder, and Chinese five spice powder to create the marinade.

Step 3

If desired, add the red food coloring to the marinade to achieve the traditional Charsiew color.

Step 4

Place the pork into a resealable bag or shallow dish, and pour the marinade over the meat, ensuring all pieces are covered.

Step 5

Seal the bag or cover the dish tightly, and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight for deeper flavor.

Step 6

Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F).

Step 7

Line a baking tray with foil and place a roasting rack on top to keep the pork elevated.

Step 8

Lightly spray the roasting rack with vegetable oil to prevent sticking.

Step 9

Remove the pork from the marinade and place it on the rack, reserving a small portion of marinade.

Step 10

Roast the pork in the oven for 25-30 minutes, basting occasionally with the reserved marinade halfway through cooking, until the pork is cooked through and has caramelized edges.

Step 11

For authentic charred edges, you can briefly broil the pork for an additional 2-3 minutes, keeping an eye to prevent burning.

Step 12

Remove from the oven and let the pork rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

Step 13

Serve the low fat Charsiew with steamed rice or vegetables.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(620.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	846.5

Total Fat 18.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.1g
Cholesterol 341.0mg	0%
Sodium 3944.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 37.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 1.8g	0%
Total Sugars 26.2g
Protein 129.1g	0%

Vitamin D 40IU	0%
Calcium 65.8mg	0%
Iron 6.8mg	0%
Potassium 2558.6mg	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: 19.9%

Protein: 62.1%

Carbs: 17.9%