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Char Siu (Chinese Barbecue Pork)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🎉 New Edition DinnerLunchDrinks Chinese

Chef's Notes

Recipe 2 Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=By7NwdKdxpE written: https://thewoksoflife.com/chinese-bbq-pork-cha-siu/

Companion Recipes

🛒 Ingredients

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Big Batch (4+ Cutlets) (0/16)
Small Batch (2 Cutlets) (0/19)

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🍽️ Method

Original (4 steps)
  1. Blend the marinade: Combine all ingredients and blend until smooth.
  2. Reserve glaze portion: Weigh out ~275 g of the marinade and set aside in the fridge for glaze making later.
  3. Marinate pork: Place pork into bags/containers, adding 200 g marinade per bag. Seal well.
  4. Rest time: Refrigerate and marinate for 12–36 hours.
Cooking (4 steps)
  1. Preheat oven: 325°F (163°C).
  2. Bake covered: Place marinated pork in a covered roasting pan and bake for 30 minutes.
  3. Reduce oven temp: After 30 minutes, lower oven to 225°F (107°C). Do not open the oven while it drops temperature.
  4. Slow cook: Continue baking for 4 hours.
Glaze Preparation (3 steps)
  1. Strain marinade: Take the reserved 275 g marinade and strain out red yeast rice solids.
  2. Add maltose: Weigh 100 g maltose directly into the cooking pot.
  3. Cook glaze: Heat over medium, stirring constantly until the maltose dissolves and glaze becomes smooth and lacquer-like (not too thick or gloopy).
Finishing the Char Siu (2 steps)
  1. Glaze & broil: Roll cooked pork in glaze, then place on a rack over a sheet pan. Broil ~6 minutes per side, basting with glaze after flipping. Look for the signature glossy red finish.
  2. Rest & slice: Let pork rest 10–15 minutes. Slice against the grain for best texture.