Char Siu Recipe: Perfect Chinese BBQ at Home

In the vibrant world of Chinese cuisine, few dishes are as iconic as Char Siu, the Cantonese-style barbequed pork known for its rich flavors and tender, caramelized texture. Today, I'm excited to share with you a Char Siu Recipe that you can easily prepare at home to bring the essence of Chinese BBQ right to your dinner table.

Understanding Char Siu

Char Siu, often translated as “fork roast”, is famous for its sweet and savory glaze, a result of marinating the meat in a concoction of flavorsome ingredients. This dish not only delights with its taste but also captivates with its vibrant color, thanks to ingredients like hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and red yeast rice powder.

Ingredients for Char Siu

• 1 lb pork shoulder or pork belly, cut into thick strips
• 3 tbsp hoisin sauce
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine or dry sherry
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp five-spice powder
• 1 tsp red yeast rice powder (for color) - optional
• ¹⁄₂ tsp white pepper
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil for cooking

Marinating the Pork

1. Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, mix hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, sugar, minced garlic, five-spice powder, red yeast rice powder, white pepper, and sesame oil.
2. Marinate the Pork: Place the pork in the marinade, ensuring all sides are well-coated. Marinate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for deeper flavor penetration.

Cooking Char Siu at Home

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). If you have a convection setting, use it for better air circulation.
2. Roast the Pork: Line a baking tray with foil or parchment paper, add a rack, and place the marinated pork on top. Drizzle with vegetable oil.
3. Cooking Time: Roast for about 25 minutes, then turn the pork over, baste with additional marinade if available, and roast for another 15-20 minutes until the edges are caramelized and slightly charred.

🔥 Note: If you want a glossier finish, you can brush the pork with some of the remaining marinade mixed with honey towards the end of cooking for that authentic Char Siu glaze.

Serving Suggestions

Char Siu can be served in numerous ways:

• Sliced and served with steamed rice
• Chopped for use in stir-fries or noodles
• As a filling for buns or Baozi
• On its own as an appetizer or part of a larger Chinese feast

Remember, the key to a perfect Char Siu is in the balance of flavors and a slow cooking process that allows the meat to absorb the rich marinades while achieving a tantalizing caramelized exterior.

At the heart of this culinary delight, you'll find a testament to the complexity of Chinese culinary arts, where every ingredient is carefully chosen to enhance the dish's overall taste and texture. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner, this recipe ensures you can recreate the magic of Char Siu at home, making your kitchen the next stop on the culinary Silk Road.

Can I use other types of meat for Char Siu?

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Yes, while pork is traditional, you can also use chicken or duck. Adjust the cooking time accordingly as different meats require different cooking times.

What if I don’t have Shaoxing wine or red yeast rice powder?

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You can substitute Shaoxing wine with dry sherry, or simply omit it. For color, you might skip the red yeast rice powder or use a small amount of red food coloring, but be aware that the taste might differ slightly.

How can I make my Char Siu look more authentic?

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To achieve that traditional glossy finish, baste the pork with a mixture of honey and some of the marinade towards the end of cooking. The high sugar content in honey caramelizes beautifully when exposed to heat, giving your Char Siu the perfect glaze.