This incredibly flavorful Chinese BBQ Pork Char Siu comes together in about 45 minutes and is cooked all in one pan, making it the perfect weeknight dinner that your family will love! You can easily switch up the ingredients to suit your taste or use it as a “clean out the fridge” meal to get rid of leftovers and odds and ends!
Ingredient Breakdown
To create this delicious Chinese BBQ Pork Char Siu, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients. Let’s break them down:
1/4 cup soy sauce: This adds the salty umami flavor that’s essential. You can use low-sodium soy sauce if you’re watching your salt intake.
1/4 cup honey: This gives the dish its lovely sweetness and helps with that caramelized finish. If you want a lower-sugar option, feel free to swap it with maple syrup!
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce: A staple in Chinese cooking, hoisin sauce adds depth and a hint of spiciness.
1 tablespoon Chinese five-spice powder: This fragrant blend typically consists of star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon, Sichuan pepper, and ginger. It’s the secret to that authentic taste!
2 cloves garlic, minced: Fresh garlic brings warmth and richness to the dish.
1 tablespoon grated ginger: Ginger complements the pork beautifully and balances the flavors.
1 tablespoon rice vinegar: This adds a little acidity to cut through the sweetness.
1 tablespoon sesame oil: For a nutty aroma! (Don’t skip this, it’s magic!)
1 pound pork shoulder, cut into strips: The star of our show! Pork shoulder becomes wonderfully tender and juicy when cooked properly.
To Make It Your Own
Feel free to mix things up! You can use pork tenderloin in place of the shoulder if you’d like something leaner. Not a fan of honey? Substitute it with brown sugar for a different sweetness.
Let’s Get Cooking!
Here’s how to whip up this quick and easy Chinese BBQ Pork Char Siu that your family will rave about!
Make the Marinade : In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, honey, hoisin sauce, Chinese five-spice powder, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Mix well until all the ingredients are beautifully combined. The aroma at this point wow, just wow!
Marinate the Pork : Add the pork strips to the marinade, ensuring they are fully coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight. Trust me, the longer it marinates, the more flavor you’ll get!
Preheat the Oven : Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Get that sweetness melting away!
Prepare for Roasting : Line a baking sheet with foil (hey, minimal cleanup, right?) and place a rack on top. This will help the air circulate so you achieve that perfect caramelization. Arrange the marinated pork on the rack and roast for about 30 minutes.
Baste and Finish Cooking : Baste the pork with the marinade every 10 minutes. This step helps keep it juicy! After 30 minutes, increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C) and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes until it’s beautifully caramelized and cooked through. Wait for that mouthwatering smell to fill your kitchen.
Slice and Serve : Allow the pork to rest for a few minutes before slicing it into thin strips. You’ll want to take a moment, trust me.
This dish is mesmerizing, tangy, sweet, and savory! Seriously, your dinner table is about to be filled with smiles.
Why I Love This Recipe
This is my go-to recipe when I want something comforting and satisfying that my kids will devour. Honestly, I’m a real sucker for anything that involves sweet and savory flavors. As a busy single mom, I appreciate how I can prep it ahead of time and have dinner sorted!
And the best part is how customizable it is, you can use whatever you’ve got on hand, and it still shines.
If you loved this Chinese BBQ Pork Char Siu, be sure to check out my Cuban Mojo Pork Tenderloin, my Sausage and Ricotta Lasagna, or my Pepperoni Pizza Rolls!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This dish comes together in about 45 minutes then just requires a bit of marinating.
Tender & Flavorful
Using pork shoulder ensures that your pork ends up tender and bursting with flavor. You can’t go wrong!
Minimal Cleanup
With the entire dish roasted on one pan, you won’t be buried under piles of dishes afterwards.
Versatile
Feel free to serve it over rice, alongside stir-fried vegetables, or even in a bao bun. The possibilities are endless!
Serving and Storage Tips
What to Serve With This
- Steamed Jasmine Rice: The sweetness of the Char Siu pairs perfectly with the fragrant rice.
- Stir-Fried Veggies: Throw in some colorful vegetables for a complete meal.
- Noodles: Toss it over your favorite noodle dish for an upscale meal experience.
Storage
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days (if they last that long!).
Reheating Instructions
When you’re ready to enjoy the leftovers, gently reheat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
Freezer Friendly
Yes! You can freeze the cooked pork in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Just thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Closing Thoughts
So there you have it! My quick and easy Chinese BBQ Pork Char Siu, a dish packed with tons of flavor that your family will absolutely love. Honestly, I can’t wait for you to try it, you’ll want to make it week after week! For more Recipes Follow Us in our Pinterest.
Take care and happy cooking!
Print
Chinese BBQ Pork Char Siu
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Paleo
Description
This incredibly flavorful Chinese BBQ Pork Char Siu comes together in about 45 minutes and is cooked all in one pan, making it a perfect weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon Chinese five-spice powder
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 pound pork shoulder, cut into strips
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, honey, hoisin sauce, five-spice powder, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Mix well.
- Add the pork strips to the marinade, ensuring they are fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Line a baking sheet with foil and place a rack on top. Arrange the marinated pork on the rack and roast for about 30 minutes.
- Baste the pork with marinade every 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C) and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes until caramelized.
- Allow the pork to rest for a few minutes before slicing it into thin strips.
Notes
Feel free to use pork tenderloin for a leaner option or brown sugar instead of honey for a different sweetness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
