Char siu, or Chinese barbecue pork, is a delicious dish that can be enjoyed on various occasions, including Christmas. Here’s a simple recipe for making Chinese Christmas char siu at home.
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Bring a festive twist to your holiday table
Infused with a rich blend of hoisin, soy, and aromatic spices, this succulent barbecue pork will add an irresistible Asian flair to your celebratory feast. Embrace a new tradition and savour the flavourful fusion of East meets West this Christmas season!
Ingredients
For the marinade
- 1kg pork shoulder or pork belly, cut into strips
- 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons Chinese rice wine or dry sherry
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce (for colour)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
For the glaze (Optional)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon water
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Instructions
Prepare the marinade
- In a bowl, combine hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, rice wine, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, Chinese five-spice powder, and white pepper. Mix well.
Marinate the pork
- Place the pork strips in a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish.
- Pour the marinade over the pork, making sure it’s well coated.
- Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for the best flavor.
Preheat the oven
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Prepare a roasting rack
- Place a roasting rack in a baking pan lined with aluminum foil. This will help the pork cook evenly and allow the excess marinade to drip off.
Roast the pork
- Remove the marinated pork from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature.
- Arrange the pork strips on the roasting rack, leaving space between each piece.
- Roast in the preheated oven for about 30-40 minutes, turning the pork halfway through the cooking time, or until the pork is cooked through and has a nice caramelized exterior.
Prepare the glaze (Optional)
- If you want a glossy finish, mix honey with water to create a glaze.
- Brush the glaze over the char siu during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
Serve
- Once the pork is cooked to your liking, remove it from the oven.
- Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing it into bite-sized pieces.
- Serve the char siu with steamed rice, noodles, or in a variety of dishes.
Enjoy your homemade Chinese Christmas char siu!
