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delicious chinese bbq pork

Chinese BBQ Pork (Char Siu)

Transform your kitchen into a Chinese BBQ restaurant with this incredibly flavorful char siu recipe. Tender pork shoulder marinated in a perfect blend of sweet and savory ingredients, then roasted to mahogany perfection. This restaurant-quality dish delivers succulent, glazed pork that's perfect for rice bowls, noodles, or enjoying on its own.
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: Pork
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Marinading Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 285kcal

Equipment

Mixing Bowl
Baking Tray

Ingredients

For the Marinade and Pork:

  • 3 lbs pork shoulder
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 2 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp five spice powder
  • ¼ tsp white pepper
  • ½ tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp rice wine optional
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 2 tsp molasses
  • 1/8 tsp red food coloring optional
  • 3 cloves garlic minced

Instructions

  • Combine all marinade ingredients (everything except pork) in a bowl and mix well until sugar dissolves.
  • Place pork shoulder in a large zip-lock bag or container and rub marinade all over the meat, ensuring complete coverage.
  • Refrigerate overnight, or at least 4 hours for best flavor penetration.
  • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Remove pork from marinade and reserve the liquid for basting.
  • Place pork on a wire rack set over a baking sheet lined with foil.
  • Roast for about 20 minutes, basting with reserved marinade every 5-7 minutes.
  • Check internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) for medium or 160°F (71°C) for well-done.
  • Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing against the grain.

Notes

Choose pork shoulder with good marbling and fat content for maximum flavor and tenderness
Reserve some marinade before adding raw pork to use for basting during cooking
Red food coloring is traditional but optional - it gives the characteristic reddish color
Char siu can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator
For extra caramelization, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end of cooking time
Leftover char siu is excellent in fried rice, ramen, or steamed buns
If you don't have rice wine, substitute with dry sherry or omit entirely

Nutrition

Calories: 285kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 650mg | Potassium: 425mg | Sugar: 7g