Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork)

Introduction

Char Siu, or Chinese BBQ Pork, is a delightful dish from Chinese cuisine that combines savory, sweet, and aromatic flavors in perfect harmony. This tender and juicy pork recipe is associated with rich and caramelized flavors and can be effortlessly cooked using either an air fryer or an oven. Whether you are an avid cook or trying this dish for the first time, the aromatic blend of spices and the mouthwatering sweetness make it an irresistible treat.

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Ingredients

🐖 3 lb pork butt or shoulder, cut into 1 1/2 inch steak pieces

🍚 1/3 cup sugar

🦪 3 tbsp Lee Kum Kee oyster sauce

🍶 3 tbsp Dynasty Shaoxing wine

🥢 2 1/2 tbsp Lee Kum Kee soy sauce

🍽️ 1 tbsp Pearl River Bridge dark soy sauce

🥄 1 1/2 tsp chicken bouillon

🌿 1 tsp Dynasty ground Chinese five spice

🧅 1 tsp onion powder

🧄 1 tsp garlic powder

🧂 1/2 tsp kosher salt

🌶️ 1/4 tsp white or black pepper

🌈 4-5 drops McCormick red food dye (optional)

Instructions

1- Prepare the Pork:

Slice the pork butt or shoulder into 1 1/2 inch thick steaks and place them in a large mixing bowl.

2- Create the Marinade:

In a glass mixing bowl, combine sugar, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, chicken bouillon, ground Chinese five spice, onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, and white or black pepper.
Optionally, add red food dye for color. Mix thoroughly with a metal spoon.

3- Marinate the Pork:

Pour the marinade over pork slices, massaging with your hands to coat evenly.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.

4- Cook Using Air Fryer:

Preheat your basket-style air fryer to 350°F.
Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper.
Arrange the pork pieces in a single layer. Cook for 35-40 minutes, flipping every 10 minutes to ensure even browning.

5- Cook Using Oven (Alternative):

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Place an oven-safe container filled with hot water on a lower rack to maintain moisture.
Arrange pork on a baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, flipping every 15 minutes.

6- Check Doneness: