Name: Sweet and Sticky Char Siu Recipe
Ingredients: For this recipe, you will need 2 pounds of pork shoulder. This cut is ideal because it’s fatty enough to remain juicy while cooking. The marbling in the pork shoulder allows the flavors from the marinade to penetrate deeply, ensuring every bite is delicious.; Use 1/4 cup of soy sauce. Soy sauce adds saltiness and umami depth to the marinade. It’s an essential ingredient that balances the sweetness of other components while enhancing the overall flavor profile of the char siu.; You will need 1/4 cup of honey for sweetness. Honey not only gives a delightful sweetness but also helps create a sticky glaze when cooked. Its natural sugars caramelize beautifully in the oven or on a grill, adding to that signature charred flavor.; Incorporate 1 teaspoon of Chinese five spice powder. This blend typically includes star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and fennel seeds. It contributes warm aromatic notes that complement the savory elements of the dish.; Add 2 tablespoons of rice wine or Shaoxing wine. This ingredient enhances flavor by adding a hint of acidity that cuts through the richness of pork. It also provides authenticity to your homemade char siu.; Include 3 minced garlic cloves for added flavor. Garlic imparts a pungent aroma and depth to the marinade, making each bite more flavorful while contributing to the overall complexity of this dish.; 

Description

Sweet and Sticky Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork) is a beloved dish known for its rich flavors and tender texture. This recipe captures the essence of traditional Chinese barbecue with its sweet glaze that caramelizes beautifully during cooking. Not only is it a favorite in restaurants, but it’s also easy to recreate at home. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can enjoy this classic dish any day of the week.

Ingredients

Scale

Pork Shoulder

For this recipe, you will need 2 pounds of pork shoulder. This cut is ideal because it’s fatty enough to remain juicy while cooking. The marbling in the pork shoulder allows the flavors from the marinade to penetrate deeply, ensuring every bite is delicious.

Soy Sauce

Use 1/4 cup of soy sauce. Soy sauce adds saltiness and umami depth to the marinade. It’s an essential ingredient that balances the sweetness of other components while enhancing the overall flavor profile of the char siu.

Honey

You will need 1/4 cup of honey for sweetness. Honey not only gives a delightful sweetness but also helps create a sticky glaze when cooked. Its natural sugars caramelize beautifully in the oven or on a grill, adding to that signature charred flavor.

Chinese Five Spice Powder

Incorporate 1 teaspoon of Chinese five spice powder. This blend typically includes star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and fennel seeds. It contributes warm aromatic notes that complement the savory elements of the dish.

Rice Wine (Shaoxing)

Add 2 tablespoons of rice wine or Shaoxing wine. This ingredient enhances flavor by adding a hint of acidity that cuts through the richness of pork. It also provides authenticity to your homemade char siu.

Garlic

Include 3 minced garlic cloves for added flavor. Garlic imparts a pungent aroma and depth to the marinade, making each bite more flavorful while contributing to the overall complexity of this dish.