19 Chinese Char Siu Sauce Recipe Get Cooking And Enjoy!
Published on: Mar 20, 2024
The Chinese char siu sauce is a staple in many Asian households and is known for its sweet and savory flavor. Traditionally used as a marinade for roasted pork, this versatile sauce can also be used as a dipping sauce, glaze, or even a stir-fry sauce. In this article, we will take a closer look at the key ingredients and steps to make an authentic Chinese char siu sauce at home.
If you're tired of the same old beer can chicken recipes, why not switch things up with some delicious Chinese BBQ pork? This flavorful dish is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. Plus, it's super easy to make! Just marinate the pork in a tangy and sweet sauce, then grill it to perfection. The end result is a juicy and tender pork that pairs perfectly with a cold beer.
This recipe calls for a traditional char siu marinade, which includes a mixture of hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, and Chinese five spice. These ingredients create a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors that will leave your taste buds wanting more. If you can't find Chinese five spice, you can substitute it with a mix of ground black pepper, cinnamon, and cloves.
The key to making the perfect char siu is in the marinade. Make sure to let the pork marinate for at least 2 hours, but for best results, marinate it overnight. This will allow the flavors to fully penetrate the meat, resulting in a more flavorful and tender pork.
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Paleo Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork)
Main Ingredients: Plum, Coconut Aminos, Tomato Paste, Almond Butter
If you're following a paleo diet, you can still enjoy this delicious char siu recipe. Simply substitute the hoisin sauce with coconut aminos and the honey with maple syrup. This will give the pork a similar sweet and savory flavor without any added sugars.
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Easy Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork)
Main Ingredients: Honey, Soy Sauce, Hoisin Sauce, Rice Wine Vinegar, Dark
If you're short on time, you can still make a delicious char siu by using store-bought char siu sauce. Just marinate the pork in the sauce for at least 30 minutes before grilling. This is a great option for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
In Chinese, char siu literally means "fork roasted," referring to the traditional method of cooking the pork over an open flame. But you can easily make this dish on your grill or in the oven. Just make sure to baste the pork with the marinade every 10 minutes to keep it moist and flavorful.
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Easy Char Siu (Chinese BBQ pork, 叉烧)
Main Ingredients: Pork Shoulder Steaks, Char Siu Sauce, Oyster Sauce
Another quick and easy char siu recipe is to use a pressure cooker. Simply marinate the pork for 2 hours, then place it in the pressure cooker with the marinade and cook for 25 minutes. This will result in a tender and flavorful pork in a fraction of the time.
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Thịt Xá Xíu {Char Siu – Chinese BBQ Pork}
Main Ingredients: Seasoning, Five Spice, Black Pepper, Minced Garlic
If you're feeling adventurous, you can try this Vietnamese twist on the traditional char siu. This version includes lemongrass, garlic, and fish sauce in the marinade, giving the pork a unique and delicious flavor. Serve it with some steamed rice and vegetables for a complete meal.
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Chinese BBQ pork (Char Siu) Dumplings
Main Ingredients: Char Siu, Oyster Sauce, Hoisin Sauce, Five Spice
If you have some leftover char siu, why not turn it into delicious dumplings? Simply chop up the pork and mix it with some cabbage, ginger, and soy sauce. Then fill some dumpling wrappers with the mixture, steam them for 10 minutes, and enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce.
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Chinese Baked BBQ Pork Buns - Char Siu Bao
Main Ingredients: Bread Flour, Water, Milk, Sugar, Salt, Instant Yeast
Char siu bao, or steamed BBQ pork buns, are a popular dim sum dish that you can easily make at home. The dough is made with a combination of flour, milk, and yeast, then filled with the char siu and steamed until fluffy and tender. These buns make a great appetizer or snack.
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Sticky Char Siu in the Air Fryer (Chinese BBQ Pork)
Main Ingredients: Jasmine Rice, Greens, Char Siu, Noodle Soup, Pork
For a healthier twist on char siu, try cooking it in an air fryer. The high heat and circulating air will give the pork a crispy and sticky exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy. Plus, the air fryer reduces the cooking time, making this a quick and easy option for a busy weeknight.
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Steamed BBQ Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao)
Main Ingredients: Dough, Char Siu, Steamer
If you don't have an air fryer, you can still achieve a crispy exterior for your char siu by using the broiler in your oven. Just broil the pork for a few minutes after cooking to get that delicious charred and caramelized crust.
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Char Siu Bao (Steamed BBQ Pork Buns)
Main Ingredients: All Purpose Flour, Cornstarch, Baking Powder, Active
Another variation of char siu bao is to use a pastry dough instead of a yeast dough. This results in a flakier and buttery crust that pairs perfectly with the juicy and flavorful pork filling. These buns are a great addition to any dim sum spread or as a snack on their own.
If you have some leftover char siu, you can easily turn it into a delicious fried rice dish. Simply chop up the pork and mix it with some cooked rice, vegetables, and scrambled eggs. This is a great way to use up leftovers and create a new and flavorful dish.
To take your char siu fried rice to the next level, try adding some diced pineapple for a sweet and tangy twist. This is a popular dish in Hawaii and is known as "Hawaiian fried rice." It's a great way to add some tropical flavors to your meal.
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Char Siu Bao (Chinese BBQ Pork Buns)
Main Ingredients: Char Siu, Green Onion, Dark Soy Sauce, Light Soy Sauce
Char siu bao is also a popular breakfast option in many Asian countries. The fluffy and savory buns are a great way to start the day, and you can even add a fried egg or some greens for a more filling meal.
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Char Siu Bao
Main Ingredients: Sugar, Soy Sauce, Oyster Sauce, Water, Canola Oil
If you don't want to make the dough from scratch, you can use store-bought pizza dough or biscuit dough to make these buns. They may not be as traditional, but they still taste delicious and are perfect for a quick and easy meal.
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Chinese Char Siu Kikiam
Main Ingredients: Char Siu Pork, Red Onion, Medium Carrot, 5 Spice
Kikiam, or Chinese sausage, is a popular street food in the Philippines. It's made with ground pork, vegetables, and spices, then wrapped in bean curd sheets and steamed. For a twist on this dish, try substituting the pork with char siu for a more flavorful and unique kikiam.
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Chinese BBQ Pork & Egg Noodles
Main Ingredients: Dried Udon Noodles, Vegetable Oil, Ginger, Garlic
Chinese BBQ pork is a great addition to any noodle dish. Whether it's chow mein, lo mein, or egg noodles, the combination of the tender and flavorful pork with the chewy and delicious noodles is a match made in heaven. Top it off with some green onions and a drizzle of sesame oil for a complete meal.
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Cha Siu (Char Siu, Chinese BBQ Pork)
Main Ingredients: Pork Shoulder, Soy Sauce, Dark Soy Sauce, Granulated
Another way to enjoy char siu is to use it as a filling for steamed buns. These buns are made with a yeast dough and are filled with a mixture of pork, onions, and seasonings. They are then steamed until fluffy and served with a sweet and savory sauce. This is a great option for a light and delicious meal.
Key Ingredients for Chinese Char Siu Sauce
Hoisin Sauce
Hoisin sauce, also known as Chinese barbecue sauce, is the main ingredient in any char siu sauce recipe. Made from a blend of soybeans, garlic, spices, and chili peppers, hoisin sauce adds a rich, savory and slightly sweet flavor to the sauce.
Dark Soy Sauce
Dark soy sauce is a key ingredient in many Chinese dishes, including char siu sauce. It has a thicker consistency and is aged longer than regular soy sauce, giving it a richer, more complex flavor. It also adds a deep reddish-brown color to the sauce.
Honey
To balance out the savory flavors of the hoisin and soy sauce, honey is added to give the char siu sauce a touch of sweetness. The honey also helps to caramelize the sauce when used as a glaze.
Five-Spice Powder
Five-spice powder is a blend of five spices commonly used in Chinese cuisine - star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Szechuan peppercorns, and fennel seeds. This spice blend adds depth and complexity to the char siu sauce, giving it a unique and distinct flavor.
Steps to Make Chinese Char Siu Sauce
Now that we have gone through the key ingredients, let's take a look at the steps to make an authentic Chinese char siu sauce.
Step 1: Mix hoisin sauce, dark soy sauce, honey, and five-spice powder
In a bowl, mix together ½ cup of hoisin sauce, 2 tablespoons of dark soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of honey, and 1 teaspoon of five-spice powder. Use a whisk or fork to combine the ingredients until they are well blended.
Step 2: Adjust the sweetness and saltiness
Taste the sauce and adjust the sweetness and saltiness according to your preference. If you want a sweeter sauce, add more honey. For a saltier sauce, add a little more soy sauce.
Step 3: Use as a marinade or glaze
You can use the char siu sauce as a marinade for pork, chicken, or beef. Simply coat the meat with the sauce and let it marinate for at least 2 hours before cooking. Alternatively, you can use it as a glaze by brushing it onto the meat before and during cooking.
Step 4: Enjoy as a dipping sauce or stir-fry sauce
If you have leftover char siu sauce, you can use it as a dipping sauce for dumplings or spring rolls. It also makes a delicious stir-fry sauce when combined with your favorite vegetables and protein.
In conclusion, making your own Chinese char siu sauce at home is easy and allows you to control the ingredients and flavors. With the right balance of hoisin sauce, dark soy sauce, honey, and five-spice powder, you can create a delicious and versatile sauce that will elevate any dish. Try this recipe and impress your family and friends with your homemade char siu sauce.
