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–+ servings
Chinese char siu pork with greens and boiled rice - Cook Simply

Best ever char siu pork (Chinese BBQ pork)

5 from 14 votes
This delicious roast Chinese pork meat is so simple to make at home. It will taste exactly like the Chinese pork you'd get in a restaurant - that's a promise!
Servings 8 people
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Marinating 1 day

Ingredients

  • 1.5 kg boneless pork shoulder choose a piece that is a little fatty
  • 2 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp light brown sugar or caster sugar
  • 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 1 tsp five spice
  • 2 tbsp honey extra for brushing while cooking
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp white pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic crushed
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp red food colouring gel optional
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Marinade

  • Cut pork into equal long strips. Depending on the size of your pork you may get two good portions or even 3-4 like I did as shown in the photo.
  • In a bowl, mix the marinade ingredients together.
    BBQ chinese pork marinating - Cook Simply
  • Place the pork pieces in a large dish and pour over the marinade. Make sure all the pork is covered. Cover with clingfilm and put in the refrigerator for 24 hours. You can marinate for longer up to 48 hours.

Roasting

  • When you're ready to roast the pork, preheat the oven to 160C/320F.
  • Line a tray with foil and place a rack on top. Add a cup of water - this may need topping up as the pork cooks. It stops the fat from burning the tray and causing smoke.
  • Remove pork from the marinade and carefully place it onto the wrack. Keep the rest of the marinade for later.
    Char siu pork ready for roasting - Cook Simply
  • Roast the pork for 30 minutes.
  • While the pork is cooking, pour the marinade into a small saucepan and pop it on a low heat. Add another squeeze of honey, and let marinade cook down a little, so that it is more syrupy.
    char siu pork marinade
  • Remove the pork from the oven. Using a brush, dab the marinade all over the meat, then turn the strips over. Do the same on the other side. Roast for another 25 minutes.
  • Repeat the same process again with the basting and the marinade. If you think the pork might burn turn down the heat to 150C and cover the top with some foil. Cook for 10 minutes.
    Basting Chinese BBQ pork - Cook SImply
  • Baste one last time, again then bake for a further 10 minutes - the marinade will be sticky. The meat will be tender and juicy but it won't be falling apart. Remember you have to slice the pork into pieces to serve.
    Sliced char siu Chinese BBQ pork - Cook Simply
  • Slice into thinly and serve with steamed rice and Chinese greens like pak choi or Choi sum. I also like to dip some in chilli sauce and soy.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 215kcal
Calories: 215kcal
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese