Soy-Free Char Siew (Chinese Barbecue Pork)

Discover the bold, sweet, and savory flavors of Soy-Free Char Siew, a modern twist on the classic Chinese barbecue pork that’s perfect for those avoiding soy. This recipe swaps traditional soy sauce for coconut aminos and red miso paste to recreate the umami-packed glaze, while honey and dark brown sugar lend a rich caramelized finish. Marinated overnight in a blend of hoisin sauce, Shaoxing wine, five-spice powder, and a hint of sesame oil, the pork is perfectly infused with flavor before being roasted to tender, juicy perfection. A touch of optional red food coloring gives it that iconic char siew hue, while a simple oven-cooking method ensures crispy, charred edges without the need for a grill. Serve this mouthwatering soy-free barbecue pork alongside steamed rice or your favorite vegetables for a crowd-pleasing meal with all the indulgence and none of the soy-based ingredients!

Nutriscore Rating: 55/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 800 grams Pork shoulder or pork belly
• 3 tablespoons Hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons Red miso paste (soy-free)
• 3 tablespoons Coconut aminos
• 3 tablespoons Honey
• 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine
• 2 tablespoons Dark brown sugar
• 3 pieces Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon Five-spice powder
• 1 tablespoon Sesame oil
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Red food coloring (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Begin by slicing the pork shoulder or belly into long strips, about 2 inches wide and 1 inch thick. This will help the marination process and ensure even cooking.

Step 2

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the hoisin sauce, red miso paste, coconut aminos, honey, Shaoxing wine, dark brown sugar, minced garlic, five-spice powder, sesame oil, salt, and optional red food coloring. Mix well to make a smooth marinade.

Step 3

Place the pork strips into a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the prepared marinade over the pork, ensuring that each piece is well-coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate. Let the pork marinate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight for maximum flavor infusion.

Step 4

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking tray with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top. This will help the pork cook evenly and allow excess marinade to drip off.

Step 5

Remove the marinated pork from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes. Arrange the pork strips on the wire rack, ensuring they are spaced apart to allow for proper air circulation.

Step 6

Place the tray in the preheated oven and roast the pork for 25 minutes. After the initial roasting period, remove the tray from the oven and brush the pork with some of the reserved marinade from the dish or bag.

Step 7

Return the tray to the oven and roast for an additional 20 minutes, brushing with marinade once more halfway through. The pork should have a deep, caramelized color and be slightly charred at the edges.

Step 8

Remove the char siew from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve the soy-free char siew as part of a main dish or with steamed rice and vegetables for a complete meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1077.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2681.7

Total Fat 177.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 58.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.7g
Cholesterol 561.4mg	0%
Sodium 4542.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 126.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 2.9g	0%
Total Sugars 104.4g
Protein 151.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 182.6mg	0%
Iron 11.1mg	0%
Potassium 2410.1mg	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: 59.1%

Protein: 22.3%

Carbs: 18.6%