Chinese Char Siu Pork, or Cantonese BBQ Pork, is a flavorful and tender dish often found in Chinese cuisine. Known for its beautiful red color and sweet, savory flavor, Char Siu pork is a popular dish in restaurants and can also be made at home with a few key ingredients and some patience. This article will guide you step-by-step on how to make Chinese Char Siu Pork, from preparing the marinade to grilling and serving it.
What Is Char Siu Pork?
Char Siu (叉燒) is a Cantonese-style roasted pork that is typically marinated in a flavorful sauce made from ingredients like hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, and five-spice powder. The word “Char” (叉) means fork, and “Siu” (燒) means roasted or barbecued, referring to how the pork is traditionally skewered and roasted over an open flame.
The resulting Char Siu pork is juicy, tender, and has a slight caramelized exterior with a delicious smoky aroma. It is often served with rice, noodles, or used as a filling for bao (steamed buns).
Ingredients for Char Siu Pork
To make Char Siu Pork at home, you will need a few key ingredients. The marinade is the star of the dish, so it’s important to have everything ready before you start.
Main Ingredients:
- 2 pounds of pork shoulder or pork butt (boneless)
- 3 tablespoons of hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce (optional)
- 3 tablespoons of honey or maltose (for a shiny glaze)
- 1 tablespoon of Chinese rice wine or Shaoxing wine
- 1 teaspoon of Chinese five-spice powder
- 1 teaspoon of ground white pepper
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
- Red food coloring (optional, but traditional for the signature red color)
For the Basting Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1 tablespoon of water
- 1 teaspoon of soy sauce
Choosing the Right Cut of Pork
For the best Char Siu pork, it’s important to choose the right cut of meat. The traditional cut used is pork shoulder or pork butt. These cuts are slightly fatty, which adds flavor and ensures that the pork stays juicy during roasting. The fat also helps with the caramelization process during cooking.
If you prefer leaner meat, you can use pork tenderloin, but keep in mind that it will be less tender than pork shoulder or butt.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Char Siu Pork
Making Char Siu Pork at home is a multi-step process, but the result is well worth the effort. Follow these simple steps to achieve a delicious homemade version.
Step 1: Preparing the Pork
Trim the Pork: Start by trimming any excess fat from the pork shoulder or butt. You want some fat for flavor, but not too much. Leave a thin layer of fat to help with moisture during the cooking process.
Cut the Pork into Strips: Slice the pork into strips that are about 1 1/2 to 2 inches wide. This ensures the marinade can penetrate the meat properly and helps the pork cook evenly.
Step 2: Making the Marinade
Mix the Marinade: In a large mixing bowl, combine the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, Chinese rice wine, five-spice powder, white pepper, minced garlic, and brown sugar. Stir the mixture until everything is fully combined.
Add Red Food Coloring (Optional): If you want that traditional red color for your Char Siu pork, add a few drops of red food coloring to the marinade. This step is optional, but it helps achieve the iconic look that you often see in restaurants.
Marinate the Pork: Place the pork strips into the marinade, ensuring that each piece is fully coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the pork for at least 4 hours, or overnight for maximum flavor. The longer the pork marinates, the more flavorful it will be.
Step 3: Preparing the Basting Sauce
While the pork is marinating, you can prepare the basting sauce. This glaze will help achieve that sticky, caramelized exterior on the Char Siu.
Mix the Basting Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the honey, soy sauce, and water. Stir until well mixed.
Set Aside: Set the basting sauce aside to use later when grilling the pork.
Step 4: Roasting the Char Siu Pork
Char Siu pork is traditionally cooked over an open flame, but if you’re making it at home, you can achieve great results by using your oven or a grill. Here’s how to roast the pork in the oven.
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Make sure the oven is fully heated before placing the pork in it.
Prepare a Rack: Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil to catch the drippings. Place a wire rack on top of the baking sheet. This will allow the heat to circulate around the pork and help it cook evenly.
Place the Pork on the Rack: Remove the pork from the marinade and place the strips on the wire rack. Reserve some of the marinade to baste the pork during cooking.
Roast the Pork: Place the baking sheet with the pork into the preheated oven. Roast the pork for 30 minutes, flipping the strips halfway through to ensure even cooking.
Baste the Pork: After 15 minutes, brush the pork with the basting sauce you prepared earlier. Continue to baste the pork every 10 minutes until it is fully cooked and caramelized. The total cooking time should be around 45 minutes, depending on the thickness of the pork.
Check for Doneness: The pork is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) or when the exterior is deeply caramelized and slightly crispy.
Step 5: Resting and Serving
Rest the Pork: Once the Char Siu pork is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring the pork stays tender.
Slice the Pork: After resting, slice the pork into thin pieces. You can serve it as-is or chop it up into smaller pieces for use in dishes like stir-fries or noodles.
Serve: Char Siu pork is typically served with steamed rice, noodles, or as a filling in bao buns. You can also drizzle a bit of extra honey or soy sauce on top for added flavor.
Tips for Perfect Char Siu Pork
Marinate Overnight: For the best flavor, marinate the pork overnight. The longer the pork sits in the marinade, the more tender and flavorful it will be.
Monitor the Oven Temperature: Make sure your oven temperature is consistent. If the temperature is too high, the pork may burn before it cooks through. If it’s too low, the pork may dry out.
Adjust the Sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter Char Siu, you can add more honey or brown sugar to the marinade.
Grilling Option: For an even more authentic flavor, you can grill the Char Siu pork over medium heat, basting it regularly with the marinade. This will give it a smoky flavor and crispy edges.
How to Serve Char Siu Pork
Char Siu pork can be served in many ways. Here are some ideas:
With Rice: Serve the sliced Char Siu over a bowl of steamed white or jasmine rice for a simple and satisfying meal.
In Noodles: Add slices of Char Siu to stir-fried noodles, or serve it as a topping for ramen or chow mein.
In Bao Buns: For a classic Chinese treat, serve the Char Siu inside soft steamed buns (bao) with some pickled vegetables.
In Stir-Fries: Add Char Siu to vegetable stir-fries or fried rice for extra flavor.
Conclusion
Making Chinese Char Siu Pork at home is easier than you might think and incredibly rewarding. With the right ingredients and a bit of patience, you can create a dish that rivals what you’d find at a restaurant. Follow these detailed instructions, and soon you’ll be enjoying tender, flavorful Char Siu pork that can be served in a variety of delicious ways.
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