Sugar-Free Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork)

Elevate your homemade BBQ game with this Sugar-Free Char Siu, a healthier twist on the classic Chinese BBQ pork. Tender slices of boneless pork shoulder are marinated in a flavorful blend of soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, and a honey alternative, perfectly seasoned with aromatic five-spice powder and garlic. Skipping the sugar doesn’t mean sacrificing taste—this recipe delivers a rich caramelized glaze and authentic savory-sweet notes, all without added sugar. The recipe includes the option for a touch of vibrant red food coloring for that signature char siu hue, but it's just as delicious au naturel. Basted and roasted to perfection, this dish achieves the ideal balance of juicy, smoky, and slightly charred edges, thanks to a quick finish under the broiler. Perfect for those watching their sugar intake, this guilt-free char siu pairs beautifully with steamed rice, stir-fried veggies, or noodles for a balanced and satisfying meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless pork shoulder
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons honey alternative (such as monk fruit sweetener with erythritol)
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon five-spice powder
• 0.25 teaspoon red food coloring (optional)
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 0.5 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 0.5 cup water

Directions

Step 1

Slice the boneless pork shoulder into long strips about 1 inch thick.

Step 2

In a mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, honey alternative, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, minced garlic, five-spice powder, red food coloring (if using), sesame oil, and ground white pepper. Stir until well mixed.

Step 3

Place the pork strips in a large zip-top bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the pork, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight for best flavor.

Step 4

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. Lightly oil the rack to prevent sticking.

Step 5

Remove the pork from the marinade, reserving the marinade for basting. Place the pork strips on the prepared wire rack.

Step 6

Roast the pork in the oven for 15 minutes, then flip the pieces and brush with some of the reserved marinade. Roast for another 15 minutes.

Step 7

Increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C). Flip the pork again, baste with more marinade, and roast for an additional 10 minutes.

Step 8

For the final touch, increase the heat to broil. Broil the pork strips for 3-5 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning. This step adds a nice charred finish to the meat.

Step 9

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

Step 10

Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles, and enjoy your sugar-free char siu!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1210.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2538.9

Total Fat 197.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 65.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.5g
Cholesterol 726.7mg	0%
Sodium 3762.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 65.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 3.2g	0%
Total Sugars 9.1g
Protein 170.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 192.6mg	0%
Iron 12.1mg	0%
Potassium 2850.9mg	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: 65.3%

Protein: 25.1%

Carbs: 9.6%