Paleo Cha Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork)

Experience the bold, smoky-sweet flavors of **Paleo Cha Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork)**—a wholesome twist on the iconic Cantonese classic that’s perfect for those following a paleo lifestyle. This recipe combines tender pork tenderloin with a vibrant marinade made from **coconut aminos, honey, apple cider vinegar, and five-spice powder**, delivering all the rich, caramelized goodness of traditional cha siu without the soy or refined sugar. The pork is oven-roasted until perfectly juicy with a gorgeously sticky glaze, enhanced by aromatic spices like smoked paprika, garlic, and grated ginger. With just 15 minutes of prep time and a marinade that works its magic overnight, this dish is ideal for impressing guests or adding a flavorful highlight to weeknight meals. Serve it as a protein-packed centerpiece with veggies or cauliflower rice for a satisfying paleo feast.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 pounds Pork tenderloin
• 0.5 cup Coconut aminos
• 0.25 cup Honey
• 2 tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Five spice powder
• 1 tablespoon Fresh ginger, grated
• 0.5 teaspoon Sea salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Trim any excess fat from the pork tenderloin, and slice into strips about 2 inches wide.

Step 2

In a large bowl, whisk together coconut aminos, honey, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, five spice powder, grated ginger, sea salt, and black pepper to create the marinade.

Step 3

Add pork strips to the marinade, ensuring they are well-coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for best results.

Step 4

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top.

Step 5

Remove pork from the marinade, allowing excess to drip off, and place strips on the wire rack. Reserve the leftover marinade.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, then lower to a simmer and cook until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.

Step 7

After 20 minutes of baking, remove pork from the oven and brush generously with the thickened marinade.

Step 8

Return pork to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, until the pork is cooked through and caramelized, brushing with marinade once more halfway through.

Step 9

Let the pork rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve hot, and enjoy our delicious Paleo Cha Siu.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1140.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1572.8

Total Fat 31.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 10.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.4g
Cholesterol 616.9mg	0%
Sodium 6382.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 84.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 4.0g	0%
Total Sugars 73.6g
Protein 225.6g	0%

Vitamin D 72.6IU	0%
Calcium 104.5mg	0%
Iron 12.6mg	0%
Potassium 4478.5mg	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: 18.8%

Protein: 59.1%

Carbs: 22.1%