Honey-sauce char siu (蜜汁叉烧) is a popular Cantonese dish featuring tender, sweet, and savory barbecued pork. The key to cooking it well lies in selecting the right cut of meat, marinating it properly, and mastering the roasting technique. Below is a detailed guide on how to prepare honey-sauce char siu at home so you can enjoy its delicious flavors….and yes,you also can choose our frozen meal of honey-sauce char siu to easily heated again and then enjoy with your family or friends.

Ingredients

For the Pork:

• Pork shoulder or pork belly (about 500g): Choose pork with a good balance of fat and lean meat for optimal flavor and texture.

For the Marinade:

• Char siu sauce (fork sauce) (1/4 cup)
• Dark soy sauce (2 tablespoons)
• Light soy sauce (1 tablespoon)
• Hoisin sauce (2 tablespoons)
• Chinese rice wine or Shaoxing wine (2 tablespoons)
• Honey (2 tablespoons, plus extra for brushing later)
• Five-spice powder (1 teaspoon)
• Ground white pepper (1/2 teaspoon)
• Garlic (2 cloves, minced)
• Ginger (1-inch piece, minced)

Optional Add-ins:

• Red food coloring (a few drops, optional but traditional for color)
• Cornstarch (1 tablespoon mixed with 2 tablespoons water, for thickening the glaze)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Pork

1. Trim the pork: Remove any excess fat or connective tissue from the pork, leaving some fat for flavor and moisture.
2. Score the fat: If using pork belly, score the surface of the fat layer lightly to help the marinade penetrate and prevent excessive shrinking during cooking.

Step 2: Marinate the Pork

1. Mix the marinade: In a bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients until well mixed.
2. Marinate the pork: Place the pork in a resealable plastic bag or a non-reactive container, pour the marinade over it, and mix well to coat. Seal the bag or cover the container and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight for better flavor absorption.

Step 3: Roast the Char Siu

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
2. Prepare the pork for roasting: Remove the pork from the marinade and let it come to room temperature. Reserve the marinade for basting.
3. Roast the pork: Place the pork on a wire rack set over a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Roast in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes.

Step 4: Glaze and Finish

1. Baste with honey: After 30 minutes, remove the pork from the oven. Brush generously with honey and return it to the oven.
2. Turn and baste: Every 10 minutes, turn the pork and brush more honey and reserved marinade over it. Repeat this process for about 30-40 minutes, or until the pork is nicely caramelized and has an appealing glossy finish.
3. Thicken the glaze (optional): If you want a thicker glaze, stir the cornstarch mixture into the reserved marinade and simmer over low heat until thickened. Use this as a final coating on the pork.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

1. Rest the pork: Once done, remove the pork from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.
2. Slice and serve: Slice the pork against the grain into thin pieces and serve immediately with steamed rice, vegetables, or wrapped in lettuce leaves.

Tips for Success

• Selecting the right cut: Opt for pork shoulder or pork belly, which are both flavorful and retain moisture well when cooked.
• Marination time: Longer marination allows for deeper flavor penetration. Overnight marination is ideal.
• Glazing technique: Frequent basting with honey and marinade creates a beautifully caramelized exterior that’s characteristic of honey-sauce char siu.
• Temperature control: Keep an eye on the oven temperature; if the pork starts to brown too quickly, reduce the heat slightly or move it to a lower rack.

Enjoy your homemade honey-sauce char siu! This dish is not only delightful on its own but also makes for excellent leftovers, perfect for sandwiches, fried rice, or noodles. If you have any specific questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!