Chinese Char Siew Recipe: A Delicious Guide to Cooking Tasty BBQ Pork

If you're a fan of Chinese cuisine, then you've probably heard of char siew, a Cantonese roast meat that's known for its sweet and savoury flavour. Char siew is a popular dish that's often served in Chinese restaurants, but did you know that you can make it at home? In this article, we'll show you how to make your own char siew using a simple and easy-to-follow recipe.

To make char siew, you'll need a few essential ingredients, including pork belly, soy sauce, honey, and Chinese five spice powder. The preparation process involves marinating the pork belly in a mixture of these ingredients for several hours to allow the flavours to infuse. Once the pork belly is marinated, it's then roasted until it's cooked through and caramelised.

Cooking techniques play a crucial role in making char siew, and we'll cover all the essential steps you need to know to get it just right. From the ideal oven temperature to the best way to baste the pork belly, we'll guide you through the process, step by step. So, roll up your sleeves and get ready to enjoy some delicious char siew that you've made yourself!

Key Takeaways

• Char siew is a popular Cantonese roast meat that you can make at home using a simple recipe.
• Essential ingredients for making char siew include pork belly, soy sauce, honey, and Chinese five spice powder.
• To get the perfect char siew, you'll need to follow the right cooking techniques, including marinating, roasting, and basting.

Essential Ingredients

When it comes to making Chinese Char Siu, the right ingredients make all the difference. Here are the essential components you'll need to create this delicious dish.

Selecting the Meat

Traditionally, Char Siu is made with pork shoulder, pork belly, pork butt, pork neck, pork loin, or pork collar. Pork shoulder is the most commonly used cut of meat for this recipe, but feel free to experiment with other cuts to find the one that you like best.

If you are looking to add seafood to your Char Siu recipe, you can try using prawns or scallops. However, it's important to note that seafood may affect the overall flavour of the dish.

Marinade Components

The marinade is what gives Char Siu its signature sweet and savoury flavour. The key components of the marinade include soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, hoisin sauce, maltose, dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, cooking wine, and Chinese five spice powder.

For a twist on the classic recipe, you can add fermented bean curd to the marinade. This will give your Char Siu a slightly tangy flavour and a reddish hue.

Creating the Glaze

The glaze is what gives Char Siu its glossy appearance. To create the glaze, you'll need to combine the reserved marinade with Char Siu sauce, honey, and dark soy sauce. Brush the glaze over the meat during the final stages of cooking to create a caramelized finish.

The key to making delicious Char Siu is to use the right ingredients in the right proportions. Feel free to experiment with different cuts of meat and flavour combinations to find the recipe that works best for you.

Preparation Process

Marinating the Pork

To make a delicious Chinese Char Siew, the first step is to marinate the pork. You can use pork belly, pork shoulder, pork butt, or pork neck for this recipe. Cut the pork into long strips or chunks about 2 to 3 inches thick. It's essential to choose the right cut of pork for the best result. If you prefer a balance between meat and tenderness, you can use pork shoulder or pork neck. If you prefer no fat, only meat, then pork loin is the right choice.

The marinating process is crucial to get the right flavour. You can marinate the pork for at least 24 hours, but 48 hours is even better. You can use a homemade marinade sauce made from soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, sugar, five-spice powder, garlic, and Shaoxing wine. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and add the pork. Make sure the pork is coated evenly with the marinade sauce. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate it.

Setting Up the Oven

After marinating the pork, it's time to set up the oven. Preheat your oven to 200°C. Line a baking tray with aluminum foil to avoid sticking. Place the marinated pork on the baking tray and keep it at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking. This step ensures that the pork will cook evenly.

Once the oven is heated, place the baking tray with the pork in the oven. Bake the pork for about 25-30 minutes or until it's cooked through. You can also use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the pork. The temperature should be around 63°C. After baking, remove the pork from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.

If you want to add seafood to your Char Siew recipe, you can use prawns or squid. Marinate the seafood in the same marinade sauce as the pork and bake them together in the oven. The seafood will add a unique flavour to the dish. However, make sure to adjust the baking time accordingly to avoid overcooking the seafood.

Cooking Techniques

Roasting the Pork

Roasting is the most common method of cooking char siew. It involves cooking the pork in an oven, either on a skewer or on a roasting rack. Oven-grilled char siew is a popular variation of this technique. The pork is marinated and then roasted in the oven to a caramelised, sticky glaze.

For tender, juicy char siew, the pork should be roasted at a high temperature for a short time. This will ensure that the meat is cooked through but not overcooked. The cook time will depend on the thickness of the pork strips, but a general guideline is 15 to 20 minutes at 220°C.

Achieving the Perfect Char

The key to achieving the perfect char on your char siew is caramelisation. This is the process by which the sugars in the marinade are cooked until they turn brown and sticky. To achieve this, brush the pork with the marinade several times during the cooking process. This will help to build up the layers of flavour and create a sticky, caramelised glaze on the pork.

Serving and Pairings

Accompaniments

Char Siu Pork is a versatile dish that can be paired with a variety of accompaniments to enhance its flavour and texture. Here are some popular accompaniments that you can serve with your Char Siu Pork:

• Rice: Steamed white rice is a classic accompaniment to Char Siu Pork. You can also try serving it with fried rice or sticky rice for a change.
• Noodles: Chinese egg noodles or rice noodles are a great option to serve with Char Siu Pork. You can stir-fry them with some vegetables for added flavour and nutrition.
• Greens: A simple side of stir-fried greens like bok choy or Chinese broccoli can balance the richness of the pork and add some colour to your plate.
• Sliced cucumber: Fresh sliced cucumber is a refreshing side that can complement the sweetness of the pork.

Presentation Tips

Presentation is key when serving Char Siu Pork. Here are some tips to make your dish look as good as it tastes:

• Slicing: Slice the pork into thin pieces and arrange them on a platter or individual plates for a beautiful presentation.
• Garnish: Sprinkle some sesame seeds or chopped scallions on top of the pork for added flavour and colour.
• Seafood: For a twist on the classic recipe, you can try adding some seafood to the mix. Shrimp or scallops can be a great addition to the marinade, or you can serve the pork with a side of steamed fish.

With these tips and accompaniments, you can create a delicious and visually appealing meal with your Char Siu Pork as the star of the show.

Additional Tips and Tricks

Storage Advice

Char siu can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. To keep it fresh, wrap it tightly in cling film or aluminum foil before refrigerating it. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months, but be sure to thaw it before reheating it.

Recipe Variations

There are many ways to make char siu, and you can experiment with different ingredients and cooking methods to create your own unique recipe. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Seafood: If you want to add a seafood twist to your char siu, you can use prawns or scallops instead of pork. Simply marinate the seafood in the same sauce as the pork and grill or broil it until cooked through.
• Air Fryer: If you don't have access to a grill or oven, you can use an air fryer to make char siu. Simply marinate the pork as usual, then place it in the air fryer basket and cook for 15-20 minutes at 200°C. Flip the pork halfway through cooking and baste it with the remaining marinade.
• Char Siu Bao: Char siu bao, or steamed pork buns, are a popular snack in Chinese cuisine. To make them, simply fill steamed buns with char siu and enjoy!
• Recipe Video: If you're new to making char siu, you can find helpful recipe videos online to guide you through the process. Huang Kitchen and Angie Liew are two popular YouTube channels that offer step-by-step tutorials on how to make char siu.
• Recipe by Huang Kitchen: Huang Kitchen is a popular food blog that offers a wide range of Chinese recipes, including char siu. Their recipe calls for pork belly and a homemade marinade made with soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, and Chinese five spice powder. The total time for their recipe is 1 hour and 40 minutes.
• Total Time: The total time for making char siu varies depending on the recipe and cooking method. Grilling or broiling typically takes around 30-40 minutes, while oven baking can take up to an hour. Be sure to check the recipe you're using for specific instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the simplest way to make char siu at home?

Making char siu at home is quite simple. All you need is some pork, char siu sauce, and an oven. The pork is marinated in the sauce for a few hours before being roasted in the oven. You can also use a grill or a slow cooker if you prefer.

How do you prepare char siu sauce from scratch?

Char siu sauce can be made from scratch using a few ingredients. You will need soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, Chinese five-spice powder, garlic, and red food colouring (optional). Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and whisk until well combined. Adjust the seasoning to your liking.

Can you share an easy recipe for char siu using an oven?

Sure, here's a simple recipe for char siu using an oven:

Ingredients:

• 500g pork belly or pork shoulder
• 4 tablespoons char siu sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cut the pork into long strips, about 2-3 cm wide.
2. Mix the char siu sauce, honey, soy sauce, and Shaoxing wine (if using) in a bowl.
3. Add the pork to the bowl and coat well with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
4. Preheat the oven to 200°C.
5. Line a baking tray with foil and place a wire rack on top.
6. Place the pork on the wire rack and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the pork is cooked through and charred on the edges.
7. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

What are the key ingredients for a classic char siu dish?

The key ingredients for a classic char siu dish are pork, char siu sauce, and honey. Other ingredients that are commonly used include soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, hoisin sauce, and Chinese five-spice powder.

What's the secret to getting that authentic red colour in char siu?

The secret to getting that authentic red colour in char siu is red food colouring. However, if you prefer not to use food colouring, you can achieve a similar colour by using a combination of dark soy sauce and caramelised sugar.

How can I make char siu in a slow cooker?

To make char siu in a slow cooker, follow these steps:

1. Cut the pork into long strips, about 2-3 cm wide.
2. Mix the char siu sauce, honey, soy sauce, and Shaoxing wine (if using) in a bowl.
3. Add the pork to the slow cooker and coat well with the marinade.
4. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the pork is cooked through and tender.
5. Remove the pork from the slow cooker and place it on a baking tray lined with foil.
6. Brush the pork with some of the leftover marinade and broil in the oven for 5-10 minutes, or until charred on the edges.
7. Let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

As a suggestion, you can add some seafood to your char siu recipe. For example, you can add some shrimp or scallops to your marinade for a seafood twist. Alternatively, you can serve your char siu with some steamed fish or prawns on the side.