Chinese BBQ Pork (Char Siu)
Chinese BBQ Pork (Char Siu)
Ingredients
For the Pork
- 2 pounds pork shoulder
For the Marinade
- 1 egg white
- 1 teaspoon molasses
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Chinese five spice powder
- 1/4 teaspoon MSG
- as needed red food coloring
For Serving
- as needed cooked rice
- as needed steamed vegetables
Instructions
- 1
In a medium bowl, combine all marinade ingredients: egg white, molasses, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, oyster sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, granulated sugar, honey, hoisin sauce, salt, white pepper, Chinese five spice powder, MSG, and a few drops of red food coloring (start with a small amount and add more until desired color is achieved). Whisk until well combined.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Place the pork shoulder in a large resealable bag or a non-reactive dish. Pour the marinade over the pork, ensuring it is fully coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour, or preferably 8 hours, to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper if desired for easier cleanup.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 400
- 4
Remove the pork from the marinade, reserving any remaining marinade. Brush both sides of the pork generously with some of the reserved marinade.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Place the marinated pork in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd it. Cook for 15 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min•🌡️ 400
- 6
After 7 minutes, carefully flip the pork and brush the cooked side with more of the reserved marinade. Continue cooking for the remaining 8 minutes.
⏱️ 8 min•🌡️ 400
- 7
Once cooked, remove the Char Siu from the air fryer and let it rest on a cutting board for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender pork.
⏱️ 10 min
- 8
Slice the Char Siu against the grain into desired thickness. Serve immediately with steamed rice and your favorite vegetables.
⏱️ 3 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Chinese BBQ Pork (Char Siu)
For the Pork
- 2 pounds pork shoulder
For the Marinade
- 1 egg white
- 1 teaspoon molasses
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Chinese five spice powder
- 1/4 teaspoon MSG
- as needed red food coloring
For Serving
- as needed cooked rice
- as needed steamed vegetables
Instructions
- 1
In a medium bowl, combine all marinade ingredients: egg white, molasses, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, oyster sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, granulated sugar, honey, hoisin sauce, salt, white pepper, Chinese five spice powder, MSG, and a few drops of red food coloring (start with a small amount and add more until desired color is achieved). Whisk until well combined.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Place the pork shoulder in a large resealable bag or a non-reactive dish. Pour the marinade over the pork, ensuring it is fully coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour, or preferably 8 hours, to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper if desired for easier cleanup.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 400 - 4
Remove the pork from the marinade, reserving any remaining marinade. Brush both sides of the pork generously with some of the reserved marinade.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Place the marinated pork in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd it. Cook for 15 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min•🌡️ 400 - 6
After 7 minutes, carefully flip the pork and brush the cooked side with more of the reserved marinade. Continue cooking for the remaining 8 minutes.
⏱️ 8 min•🌡️ 400 - 7
Once cooked, remove the Char Siu from the air fryer and let it rest on a cutting board for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender pork.
⏱️ 10 min - 8
Slice the Char Siu against the grain into desired thickness. Serve immediately with steamed rice and your favorite vegetables.
⏱️ 3 min