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Char Siu Chinese BBQ Pork served on a plate

Char Siu Chinese BBQ Pork

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Char Siu is a sticky, caramelized Chinese BBQ pork with a glossy red glaze achieved by marinating pork shoulder overnight in a flavorful five-spice and hoisin marinade. Roasting at 375°F while basting every 10 minutes creates tender meat with caramelized edges, perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Dish
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs pork shoulder cut into 2-inch strips
  • 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons honey plus extra for glaze at end
  • 2 tablespoons rice wine or Shaoxing wine
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
  • 1.5 teaspoons Chinese five-spice powder
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon red fermented tofu or 0.5 teaspoon red food coloring

Equipment

  • Wire rack Used for roasting pork to allow air circulation
  • Baking sheet lined with foil Placed under wire rack to catch drippings
  • Meat thermometer To check pork internal temperature reaches 145°F

Method
 

  1. Whisk hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, rice wine, garlic, ginger, five-spice powder, sugar, and red fermented tofu in a bowl until smooth. Coat pork strips completely with marinade. Refrigerate covered for 8-12 hours, flipping once halfway through.
    3 tablespoons hoisin sauce, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons rice wine, 3 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, 1.5 teaspoons Chinese five-spice powder, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 tablespoon red fermented tofu, 2 lbs pork shoulder
  2. Preheat oven to 375°F. Place a wire rack on a foil-lined baking sheet. Arrange marinated pork strips on the rack with 1-2 inches between pieces to allow air circulation. Reserve leftover marinade for basting.
    2 lbs pork shoulder
  3. Roast pork for 20 minutes. Brush pork with reserved marinade, then flip pieces and baste again. Continue roasting an additional 20-30 minutes, basting every 10 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 145°F.
    2 lbs pork shoulder
  4. Brush pork with extra honey during the last 5 minutes of roasting. Then turn broiler to high and broil for 2 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning. Rotate pan if needed for even caramelization and a glossy charred glaze.
    2 tablespoons honey
  5. Remove pork from oven and let rest on the rack for 10 minutes. Slice thinly across the grain for maximum tenderness. Serve warm with pan drippings spooned over the top.
    2 lbs pork shoulder

Notes

  • Marinate pork overnight for best flavor and tenderness.
  • Leave 1-2 inches between pork pieces on the rack to prevent steaming and promote crisp edges.
  • Watch closely when broiling as sugar burns quickly; remove immediately when dark spots form.

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