Best 7 Char Siu Chinese Sweet Barbecued Pork Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

**Char Siu: A Cantonese Barbecue Delight**

Char siu, a Cantonese barbecue staple, captivates taste buds with its sweet, savory, and smoky flavors. This succulent dish, often referred to as Chinese barbecue pork, features tender pork marinated in a flavorful blend of sweet and savory ingredients, then roasted until beautifully caramelized. Char siu holds a prominent place in Cantonese cuisine, enjoyed on its own, as part of a platter, or incorporated into various dishes like rice bowls and noodles. Its versatility extends beyond culinary boundaries, as it's also a popular filling for pastries and dumplings.

This article presents a collection of meticulously curated Char Siu recipes that cater to diverse preferences and skill levels. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or just starting your culinary journey, these recipes will guide you in creating authentic Char Siu that rivals restaurant quality.

**1. Classic Char Siu Recipe:**

This time-honored recipe embodies the traditional method of preparing Char Siu. It features a detailed step-by-step guide, ensuring that every step, from marinating the pork to roasting it to perfection, is executed with precision. The result is a classic Char Siu that bursts with flavors and has a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

**2. Honey Char Siu Recipe:**

For those who prefer a sweeter Char Siu, this recipe incorporates honey into the marinade. The honey adds a luscious glaze to the pork, enhancing its caramelization during roasting. The result is a Char Siu that's not only visually appealing but also tantalizingly sweet and sticky.

**3. Char Siu Bao (BBQ Pork Buns) Recipe:**

Elevate your Char Siu experience by incorporating it into the beloved Char Siu Bao. This recipe guides you in making these fluffy steamed buns filled with tender Char Siu. The combination of pillowy-soft buns and savory Char Siu filling is a symphony of flavors and textures that will leave you craving more.

**4. Char Siu Noodles Recipe:**

For a quick and satisfying meal, try this Char Siu Noodles recipe. It showcases Char Siu's versatility as it pairs perfectly with springy noodles, flavorful sauce, and an array of vegetables. This dish is a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that will surely become a family favorite.

**5. Char Siu Fried Rice Recipe:**

Transform leftover Char Siu into a delectable Char Siu Fried Rice. This recipe combines fragrant rice, succulent Char Siu, vegetables, and eggs into a flavorful and colorful dish. Every bite offers a delightful mix of textures and a burst of flavors that will satisfy your taste buds.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

CHAR SIU (CHINESE BBQ PORK)



Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork) image

Char siu, or Chinese BBQ Pork, is a delicious Cantonese roast meat. Make authentic Chinatown char siu at home with our restaurant-quality recipe!

Provided by Bill

Categories     Pork

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 14

3 pounds boneless pork shoulder/pork butt ((select a piece with some good fat on it))
¼ cup granulated white sugar
2 teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon five spice powder
¼ teaspoon white pepper
½ teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon Shaoxing rice wine
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
2 teaspoons molasses
1/8 teaspoon red food coloring ((optional))
3 cloves finely minced garlic
2 tablespoons maltose or honey
1 tablespoon hot water

Steps:

  • Cut the pork into long strips or chunks about 2 to 3 inches thick. Don't trim any excess fat, as it will render off and add flavor.
  • Combine the sugar, salt, five spice powder, white pepper, sesame oil, wine, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, molasses, food coloring (if using), and garlic in a bowl to make the marinade (i.e. the BBQ sauce).
  • Reserve about 2 tablespoons of marinade and set it aside. Rub the pork with the rest of the marinade in a large bowl or baking dish. Cover and refrigerate overnight, or at least 8 hours. Cover and store the reserved marinade in the fridge as well.
  • Preheat your oven to 'bake' at 475 F (246 C) with a rack positioned in the upper third of the oven. (If you only have a convection oven, keep in mind the oven not only heats more quickly, your char siu will roast faster than what we have described here). It's amazing how oven temperatures can vary-from model to model, in different spots in the oven, and in how ovens pre-heat and maintain heat. Using an oven thermometer to double-check the actual oven temperature is a great safeguard to monitor your food (I say double-check because even oven thermostat calibrations vary and can sometimes be incorrect). Regardless, be sure to check your char siu every 10 minutes, reducing or increasing the temperature as needed.
  • Line a sheet pan with foil and place a metal rack on top. Using the metal rack keeps the pork off of the pan and allows it to roast more evenly, like it does in commercial ovens described above. Place the pork on the rack, leaving as much space as possible between pieces. Pour 1 ½ cups water into the pan below the rack. This prevents any drippings from burning or smoking.
  • Transfer the pork to your preheated oven. Roast for 25 minutes, keeping the oven setting at 475 F for the first 10 minutes of roasting, and then reduce your oven temperature to 375 F (190 C). After 25 minutes, flip the pork. If the bottom of the pan is dry, add another cup of water. Turn the pan 180 degrees to ensure even roasting. Roast another 15 minutes. Throughout the roasting time, check your char siu often (every 10 minutes) and reduce the oven temperature if it looks like it is burning!
  • Meanwhile, combine the reserved marinade with the maltose or honey (maltose is very viscous--you can heat it up in the microwave to make it easier to work with) and 1 tablespoon hot water. This will be the sauce you'll use for basting the pork.
  • After 40 minutes of total roasting time, baste the pork, flip it, and baste the other side as well. Roast for a final 10 minutes.
  • By now, the pork has cooked for 50 minutes total. It should be cooked through and caramelized on top. If it's not caramelized to your liking, you can turn the broiler on for a couple minutes to crisp the outside and add some color/flavor. Be sure not to walk away during this process, since the sweet char siu BBQ sauce can burn if left unattended. You can also use a meat thermometer to check if the internal temperature of the pork has reached 160 degrees F. (Update: USDA recommends that pork should be cooked to 145 degrees F with a 3 minute resting time)
  • Remove from the oven and baste with the last bit of reserved BBQ sauce. Let the meat rest for 10 minutes before slicing, and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 274 kcal, Carbohydrate 14 g, Protein 39 g, Fat 6 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Cholesterol 102 mg, Sodium 832 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 12 g, ServingSize 1 serving

EASY CHAR SIU (CHINESE BBQ PORK)



Easy Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork) image

The secret to this char siu recipe lies in the marinade and basting the BBQ pork while it's roasting. A classic Cantonese dish that's simple to make at home.

Provided by Tony Tan

Yield Serves 3-4

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 lb 2 oz (500 g) pork shoulder
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
Thinly sliced scallions, to serve
1 Tbsp. light soy sauce
1 tsp. dark soy sauce
½ tsp. white pepper
1 Tbsp. hoisin sauce
2 cubes red fermented bean curd, mashed
½ tsp. Chinese five-spice
1 Tbsp. honey
1 Tbsp. Mei Kuei Lu Chiew liquor
A few drops red food coloring (optional)

Steps:

  • Cut the pork lengthways into strips 2 inches wide and 1-inch thick and put into a nonreactive container. Combine the marinade ingredients in a saucepan over low heat and stir together. Leave to cool, then stir in the garlic and massage the marinade into the pork. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for 5-6 hours or overnight.
  • Preheat the oven to 425°F. Bring the pork back to room temperature and drain off the excess marinade into a small bowl. Place the pork on a rack in the middle of the oven and put a roasting pan containing a cupful of hot water underneath on the bottom rack. Roast the meat for 20 minutes, basting with the marinade occasionally. Reduce the oven to 350°F and roast for a further 15 minutes or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 165°F.
  • Cool the pork briefly, then cut it into bite-size pieces. Garnish with spring onions and serve as an appetizer or with steamed rice as a light meal.

CHAR SIU (CHINESE BBQ PORK)



Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork) image

"Char siu" literally means "fork roast" - "char" being "fork" (both noun and verb) and "siu" being "roast" - after the traditional cooking method for the dish: long strips of seasoned boneless pork are skewered with long forks and placed in a covered oven or over a fire. This is best cooked over charcoal, but it's important to cook with indirect heat.

Provided by David&Andrea

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Asian     Chinese

Time 3h40m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 pork tenderloins
½ cup soy sauce
⅓ cup honey
⅓ cup ketchup
⅓ cup brown sugar
¼ cup Chinese rice wine
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
½ teaspoon red food coloring
1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder

Steps:

  • Cut pork with the grain into strips 1 1/2- to 2-inches long; put into a large resealable plastic bag.
  • Stir soy sauce, honey, ketchup, brown sugar, rice wine, hoisin sauce, red food coloring or red bean curd (see Cook's Note), and Chinese five-spice powder together in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook and stir until just combined and slightly warm, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour the marinade into the bag with the pork, squeeze air from the bag, and seal. Turn bag a few times to coat all pork pieces in marinade.
  • Marinate pork in refrigerator, 2 hours to overnight.
  • Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
  • Remove pork from marinade and shake to remove excess liquid. Discard remaining marinade.
  • Cook pork on preheated grill for 20 minutes. Put a small container of water onto the grill and continue cooking, turning the pork regularly, until cooked through, about 1 hour. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 482.9 calories, Carbohydrate 53.5 g, Cholesterol 126.7 mg, Fat 8.9 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 43.8 g, SaturatedFat 3.1 g, Sodium 2249.8 mg, Sugar 48.3 g

CHINESE BARBEQUE PORK (CHAR SIU)



Chinese Barbeque Pork (Char Siu) image

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.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Asian     Chinese

Time 5h10m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 14

⅔ cup soy sauce
½ cup honey
½ cup Chinese rice wine (or sake or dry sherry)
⅓ cup hoisin sauce
⅓ cup ketchup
⅓ cup brown sugar
4 cloves garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
⅛ teaspoon pink curing salt
1 (3 pound) boneless pork butt (shoulder)
1 teaspoon red food coloring, or as desired
1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste

Steps:

  • Place soy sauce, honey, rice wine, hoisin sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, garlic, five-spice powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and curing salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil on high heat; reduce heat to medium-high. Cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Cool to room temperature.
  • Cut pork roast in half lengthwise. Cut each half again lengthwise forming 4 long, thick pieces of pork.
  • Transfer cooled sauce to a large mixing bowl. Stir in red food coloring. Place pork sections into sauce and coat each piece. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 to 12 hours.
  • Preheat grill for medium heat, 275 to 300 degrees F (135 to 150 degrees C) and lightly oil the grate. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Remove sections of pork from marinade and let excess drip off. Place on prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with kosher salt to taste.
  • Transfer pork sections to grate over indirect heat on prepared grill. Cover and cook about 45 minutes. Brush with marinade; turn. Continue cooking until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 185 and 190 degrees F, about 1 hour and 15 minutes more. Do not use any more marinade on cooked meat until after you boil it.
  • Place leftover marinade in saucepan; bring to a boil; let simmer 1 minutes. Remove from heat. Now you can use it to brush over the cooked pork.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 512.9 calories, Carbohydrate 49.1 g, Cholesterol 89.8 mg, Fat 21.9 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 26 g, SaturatedFat 7.9 g, Sodium 2421.1 mg, Sugar 42.5 g

CHAR SIU (叉燒) - CHINESE BBQ PORK



Char Siu (叉燒) - Chinese BBQ Pork image

Learn how to make the perfect, juicy, tender char siu, a classic Cantonese favorite!

Provided by Made With Lau

Categories     main course

Time 1h20m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 lb pork shoulder
1 tbsp garlic salt
4 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp oyster sauce
2 tbsp light soy sauce
1 tbsp hoisin sauce
2 tbsp red wine
1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
1 cube red fermented bean curd
1 tsp five spice powder
2 tbsp honey
2 tsp water
0.25 tsp red food coloring

Steps:

  • We'll cut our pork shoulder into long slices, roughly about 1 inch thick.
  • To a bowl, we'll add:
  • Place the meat into a ziploc bag, pour the sauce in, and massage the pork for about 2 minutes so that the sauce is able to finesse its way into the meat. Afterwards, we'll push all the air out of the bag and seal it.
  • Preheat the oven to 425° F or 218° C.
  • Now, we'll be placing the pork into the oven and taking it out periodically to lather it again with either our leftover pork marinade, or honey diluted with water.
  • Once the char siu has finished its last cycle in the oven, we'll lather each side with our diluted honey.

CHAR SIU



Char Siu image

This roasted pork is a staple at Chinese restaurants, typically hung on hooks in front of a display window, glossy red on the outside, juicy on the inside (see Cook's Note). As for the flavor, it can lean either more sweet or savory. We prefer a slightly sweeter char siu with a twist: the addition of peanut butter lends a subtle nutty flavor that makes the meat even more delicious. Serve it over white rice with a Chinese green vegetable, such as bok choy, and a light drizzle of soy sauce. Any leftovers are great tossed into a stir-fry, fried rice, noodle soups or vegetable side dishes. You can also use the meat to make char siu bao.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time P1DT3h15m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

3 pounds boneless skinless pork shoulder, excess fat removed and cut with the grain into long 1-inch-thick slices
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons Chinese rice cooking wine or dry sherry
3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
3 tablespoons light soy sauce
2 tablespoons smooth peanut butter
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon Chinese fermented red bean curd sauce
1 tablespoon peeled, grated ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons Chinese five-spice powder
1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
2 pieces Chinese fermented red bean curd
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Kosher salt and white pepper (pre-ground or freshly ground)
2 tablespoons honey
Nonstick cooking spray

Steps:

  • Place the pork shoulder in a resealable plastic bag. Whisk together the sugar, cooking wine, hoisin sauce, light soy sauce, peanut butter, red bean curd sauce, ginger, five-spice powder, dark soy sauce, red bean curd, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon white pepper in a medium bowl until combined. Strain 1/2 cup of the marinade into a bowl and stir in the honey. Cover the glaze and refrigerate.
  • Meanwhile, pour the remaining marinade into the bag with the pork and "massage" the meat until it's completely coated. Seal the bag, pressing out as much of the air as possible, and refrigerate for 24 hours.
  • Remove the pork from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature, about 1 hour.
  • When the pork is almost ready, preheat the oven to 300 degrees F with a rack in the center position. Line a rimmed baking sheet with 2 layers of aluminum foil and top with a wire rack. Generously spray the rack with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
  • Lay the pork slices on the prepared baking sheet with at least 1 inch between each slice, then pour 1/3 cup cold water into the baking sheet. Bake, rotating halfway, until the thickest part of the pork registers 145 degrees F on a meat (or instant-read) thermometer, about 55 minutes.
  • Remove the pork from the oven and preheat the broiler on high until super hot.
  • Flip the pork slices over and broil until the surface is dry, about 7 minutes. Brush the top of the slices with about half of the refrigerated glaze. Broil until the glaze is caramelized and bubbling, about 9 minutes. Flip the pork slices over again and brush the top with the remaining glaze. Broil until the glaze is caramelized and bubbling, about 9 minutes. Let rest for about 10 minutes. Cut into pieces, as desired.

CHAR SIU (BBQ PORK)



Char siu (BBQ pork) image

Marinate rindless pork belly in a sticky hoisin barbecue sauce, then roast until tender - perfect to fill steamed bao buns for Chinese New Year

Provided by Jeremy Pang

Categories     Dinner, Main course

Time 4h45m

Yield Makes enough for 18 bao buns

Number Of Ingredients 12

700g rindless pork belly
4 fat garlic cloves, finely chopped
thumb-sized piece ginger, peeled and finely chopped
4 tbsp tomato ketchup
4 tbsp hoisin sauce
4 tbsp golden caster sugar
2 tbsp dark soy sauce
2 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tbsp sunflower oil
Pickled carrot & mooli (see 'Goes well with')
4-5 spring onion, thinly sliced on the diagonal
6 tbsp wasabi mayonnaise (or 6 tbsp mayo mixed with 1 tsp wasabi paste)

Steps:

  • Put the pork in a roasting tin, tip over all the marinade ingredients and massage it in with your fingers (or use a spoon) to coat the pork. Cover and chill overnight.
  • Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Cover the tin with foil and cook the pork for 31/2 hrs, basting every hour. Increase the oven temperature to 180C/160C/gas 4, remove the foil, baste the pork and continue to cook for 45 mins until it is beginning to caramelise around the edges.
  • Remove the pork from the tin and set aside to rest for 20 mins. Meanwhile, spoon away any fat from the tin and transfer the sauce to a small pan. Slice the pork - it will fall apart as you cut into it - then return to the tin. Warm the sauce in the pan, then pour over the meat and toss everything together. Spoon into the hot buns with the Pickled carrot & mooli, spring onions and a dollop of wasabi mayonnaise.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 122 calories, Fat 7 grams fat, SaturatedFat 2 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 7 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 6 grams sugar, Protein 7 grams protein, Sodium 0.7 milligram of sodium

Tips:

  • Choose the right cut of pork: Pork shoulder (also known as pork butt) is the best cut for char siu, as it has a good amount of fat that will help keep the meat moist during cooking.
  • Marinate the pork overnight: This will allow the flavors of the marinade to penetrate the meat and give it a more intense flavor.
  • Use a combination of sweet and savory ingredients in the marinade: This will create a balanced flavor that is both sweet and savory.
  • Cook the pork over high heat: This will help to caramelize the marinade and give the char siu a slightly charred exterior.
  • Baste the pork with the marinade while it is cooking: This will help to keep the meat moist and prevent it from drying out.
  • Serve the char siu with steamed rice or noodles: This is a classic Chinese dish that is sure to please everyone at the table.

Conclusion:

Char siu is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Whether you serve it as an appetizer, main course, or side dish, it is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. With its sweet and savory flavor, char siu is a dish that is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you are looking for a new and exciting dish to try, be sure to give char siu a try. You won't be disappointed.

Related Topics