Char Siu is very popular for barbeque enthusiasts since it’s a Cantonese-styled barbeque pork that is tasty on levels that are hard to explain. It’s usually cooked in five-spiced powder, red yeast, and honey. The preferred cooking method is fire-roasted, which allows it to stay sweet and savory for those interested.
In addition to its impressive high-gloss appearance and savory taste, this Chinese barbeque pork is quite easy to make at home — even without a fancy ceramic grill.
Tips:
- For maximum flavor, marinate the pork in the Char Siu sauce for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight. This allows the flavors to penetrate deeply into the meat.
- Roast the pork in an oven preheated to around 375°F (190°C) to ensure it cooks evenly and develops a nice caramelized exterior.
- Place the pork on a wire rack in a roasting pan to allow air circulation around the meat, ensuring even cooking and preventing it from sitting in its juices.
Additional Tips:
- Char Siu, is often served with steamed rice or noodles and can be garnishes with chopped green onions or sesame seeds for added flavours and presentation.
- It can also accompany with soy sauce, hoisin sauce, or chili sauce for added flavor.
- Char Siu can be served as part of a dim sum platter.
- Beverages like
- Jasmine Tea or oolong tea are excellent choices that cleanse the palate.
- Wine: A fruity rosé or a rich white wine like Viognier can complement the dish well.
- Beer: A light lager or pilsner can help balance the sweetness of the Char Siu.
Char Siu Ingredients
The wonderfully sweet and savory flavor of this Chinese dish comes from a unique blend of pantry ingredients. Soy sauce, honey, ketchup, and brown sugar create the base of the luscious marinade, while hoisin sauce and red bean curd add depth.
Juicy pork tenderloin is the main event of this 5-star recipe. Choose two 1 lb. tenderloins for best results, substituting pork loin or pork chops if necessary.
How to Make Char Siu
Begin by gently heating all of the marinade ingredients in a saucepan. Next, slice pork into strips and place them in a large plastic bag. Pour marinade into the bag and refrigerate the contents for at least two hours.
After marinating, barbecue the pork tenderloin over a charcoal grate for a rich and robust flavor. Baste as the meat cooks, and use a thermometer to mark 145 degrees F for doneness. You’ll love the tender meat paired with a tantalizingly fragrant glaze.
Recipes That Use Char Siu
Char siu can be eaten as is, over rice, or paired with bright green vegetables for a great contrast. Use this zesty pork to stuff steamed buns, in pork fried rice, or as a topping in wasabi-spiked nachos.
Now, Ingredients
Marinade:
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ⅓ cup honey
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup Chinese rice wine
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons red bean curd (Optional)
- 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder (Optional)
Pork:
- 2 (1 pound) pork tenderloins
Directions
Step 1: Gather all ingredients.
Step 2: Stir soy sauce, honey, ketchup, brown sugar, rice wine, hoisin sauce, red bean curd, and five-spice powder together in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook and stir until just combined and slightly warm, 2 to 3 minutes.
Step 3: Meanwhile, slice each pork tenderloin lengthwise into 1 1/2- to 2-inch-thick strips. Place pork strips in a large, resealable plastic bag.
Step 4: Pour marinade into the bag with the pork. Squeeze air from the bag, seal, and turn the bag a few times until pork is well coated. Marinate in the refrigerator, 2 hours to overnight.
Step 5: When ready to cook, preheat a charcoal grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
Step 6: Remove pork from marinade and shake to remove excess liquid. Set aside the remaining marinade for basting.
Step 7: Rake the hot coals into two equal piles on opposite sides of the charcoal grate. Add a small container of water to the grate. Place pork strips in the center of the grate for indirect cooking.
Step 8: Cook pork over indirect heat, turning regularly and basting as desired, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C), 30 minutes or longer.
Step 9: Serve hot and enjoy!
How to store Char Siu
Refrigerate leftover char Siu in an airtight container for up to three days. When you’re ready to reheat, simply place the pork on foil and bake in a 350 degrees F oven until thoroughly warmed.
