Char Siu Pork

This char siu pork is unbelievably juicy and tender. It’s loaded with traditional Chinese ingredients and is really easy to make.

There are some recipes that I could eat over and over again and never get tired of. This char siu pork is one of them. Char siu is a Chinese BBQ pork that’s marinated in hoisin, soy sauce, garlic, brown sugar, and five-spice powder.

This authentic Chinese char siu pork recipe is bursting with flavor, but it’s really easy to make. Because the pork is marinated for so long, it’s tender and moist every single time. So the next time you’re craving Chinese food, you’ve got to try making this recipe. 

Why You’ll Love This Chinese BBQ Pork

Char sui pork is one of my favorite foods to make and eat. Here’s why you have to give it a try. 

• Incredibly juicy. It can be so easy to dry out pork, but you don’t really have to worry about that with this recipe. Marinating the meat overnight helps break down the pork, and it retains its moisture a lot better. The pork will be amazingly moist and tender every single time.
• Super easy. This is a really easy recipe to make. It takes a lot of advance planning because you need to marinate the meat overnight, but the actual work required is quite minimal.  
• Restaurant-quality. Char siu pork is a recipe that most people only eat when they’re out at a restaurant. But this recipe tastes every bit as delicious as what you’d find at your local Chinese spot. You’ll impress anyone you serve this to, because it tastes like it came out of a professional kitchen.

Ingredients Needed

Here are all the ingredients that you’ll need to make this Chinese BBQ pork dish. Be sure to check out the recipe card at the bottom of the page to see the exact amounts for each ingredient. 

• Pork shoulder
• Soy sauce
• Hoisin sauce
• Garlic
• Five-spice powder
• Sesame oil
• Salt
• Brown sugar – You can use light or dark brown sugar.
• Black pepper – Always use freshly ground black pepper. 
• Red food coloring – This is an optional ingredient, but it will give the char siu pork its traditional color. 

How to Make Char Siu Pork

Here’s how to make this juicy pork dish. It’s really easy! 

• Make the marinade. Add the soy sauce, hoisin, garlic, five-spice powder, sesame oil, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, and optional food coloring to a ziplock back. Remove ½ cup of the marinade and set aside. 
• Marinate the pork. Add the pork to the bag, and seal it tightly. Massage the pork through the bag to make sure that it’s well coated in the marinade. Let it sit in the fridge for at least 12 hours. 

• Bring to room temperature. Before cooking, remove the pork from the fridge and let it come up to room temperature. This will make it quicer to cook the center of the meat, which means you won’t overcook the outer parts. 
• Prep. Turn your oven on to 450F and place a wire rack over a backing sheet. Add the pork and some water to the baking sheet.

• Bake. Put the baking sheet in the oven and cook the pork for 20 minutes.
• Flip. Drop the temperature of the oven to 375F, and flip the pieces of pork over. Cook for 15 more minutes. 
• Make the sauce. While the pork is cooking, add the honey and a little bit of hot water to the marinade. Stir to combine. 
• Baste. Remove the pork from the oven, and baste it with the sauce. 

• Finish cooking. Put the pork back in the oven and cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 145F, which should take about 10 more minutes. 
• Serve. Let the meat rest before cutting into it, then serve with the rest of the sauce. 

Tips for Success 

Here are a few tricks and tips I like to use anytime I make char siu pork. 

• Use a meat thermometer. If you like to cook with pork, you should get a nice instant-read meat thermometer. An instant-read thermometer will help you pull the pork out of the oven as soon as it reaches an internal temperature of 145F, which will help you make the juiciest pork.
• Marinate for a long time. This recipe requires you to marinate the pork for at least 12 hours, but you can marinate it for as long as 3 days. The longer you marinate the pork the more flavorful and tender it will be.
• Let it rest. Most people don’t let their meat rest for a long enough time after cooking it. By resting the meat, you allow it to reabsorb its juices. That will make it much more moist when you do cut into it. Always let your char siu pork rest for at least 10 minutes before you slice it. 

What to Serve Chinese BBQ Pork With

My favorite way to serve char siu pork is on a bed of Jasmine Rice with some fresh herbs and vegetables. I usually serve it with some traditional side dishes, such as Air Fryer Egg Rolls, Hot and Sour Soup, Egg Drop Soup, and Wonton Soup. 

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Leftover Chinese BBQ pork can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can reheat the meat in a 350F oven for 10 minutes or eat it cold. 

Can You Freeze Char Siu Pork?

Yes, you can definitely freeze this recipe. All you have to do is place the meat in an airtight container and it will last in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just take the meat out of the freezer the day before you plan to eat it, and let it thaw in the fridge. 

More Easy Pork Recipes to Make

When it’s cooked well, pork is such a wonderful protein. Here are some more easy but delicious pork recipes that I think you’ll like.

• Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
• French Onion Pork Chops
• Steamed Pork Dumplings
• Pork Carnitas
• Barbecue Pulled Pork Sandwiches
• Green Chili Pork

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