Easy Charsiu: My First Attempt at Making Delicious Char Siu with Fermented Red Bean and Hoisin Sauce

As a long-time fan of char siu, the delicious Cantonese barbecue pork, I often dreamt about making it myself. The sweet, smoky flavor and tender texture of this dish can elevate any meal. When I discovered that making char siu at home was not only possible but also straightforward, I couldn't wait to try it. With a little preparation and care, I was soon enjoying my very own homemade char siu. In this post, I'll share my experience and a simple recipe featuring fermented red bean sauce and hoisin sauce.

Discovering the Joy of Homemade Char Siu

Initially, I believed that creating char siu would be a complicated endeavor, requiring hard-to-find ingredients and specialized tools. To my delight, I learned it was much simpler. The most critical components are time and attention.

Each time I prepare this wonderful dish, it feels like a festive occasion. The enticing scent of marinating pork fills my kitchen, and the sweet, savory flavors that develop while cooking make the wait worthwhile. The process of creating this dish has turned dining at home into something special.

The Key Ingredients for a Perfect Charsiu

To achieve a fantastic char siu, gathering the right ingredients is essential. For my recipe, I focused on two key sauces: fermented red bean sauce and hoisin sauce. These sauces play a vital role in creating the rich flavor of the pork.

Here are the main elements you'll need:

• Pork Shoulder: This cut is ideal due to its tenderness and flavor, resulting in juicy, melt-in-your-mouth meat.

  
  

• Fermented Red Bean Sauce: Offering an umami punch, this sauce significantly enhances the meat's taste.

  
  

• Hoisin Sauce: A sweet and slightly spicy sauce, hoisin is integral to Chinese cooking and helps balance the flavor profile.

  
  

• Soy Sauce: Both regular and dark soy sauce contribute saltiness and a rich color to the dish.

  
  

• Five-Spice Powder: A blend of spices that adds extra depth to your char siu.

  
  

• Honey: Provides sweetness that helps create the beautiful glaze on the pork.

  
  

• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is a must for a robust flavor.

  
  

Equipped with these ingredients, I felt ready to dive into my char siu adventure.

Step-By-Step Recipe for Homemade Char Siu

Here’s the straightforward recipe I followed for my homemade char siu:

Stuff Used

• Natural Bamboo Chopping Board

• Tray with Cooling Rack

• 张小泉 Knives

• Stainless Steel Rainbow Knife

• Rainbow Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons

• Rainbow Stainless Steel Soup Spoons

• Silicone Kitchen Utensils Set

• My Oven

• Silicone Oven Mitts

  
  

Ingredients

• 2 lbs pork shoulder, cut into strips

• 3 tbsp fermented red bean sauce

• 3 tbsp hoisin sauce

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 2 tbsp dark soy sauce

• 2 tbsp honey

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp five-spice powder

  
  

Instructions

1. Make the Marinade: In a bowl, mix the fermented red bean sauce, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, and five-spice powder until well blended. Put aside around 2 to 3 Tablespoons for a finishing baste.

   
   

2. Marinate the Pork: Transfer the pork strips to a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the pork, ensuring each piece is coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight.

   
   

3. Preheat the Oven: When you’re ready to cook, preheat your oven to 400°F (210°C). Pour water on the tray so the pork could be cooked with steam instead of just dry heat. It also helps with clean up and oil smoke.

   
   

4. Bake the Pork: Remove the pork from the marinade (set the leftover marinade aside) and place the strips on the baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes.

   
   

5. Baste and Roast Again: Depending on your oven turn down the heat to 170°C-190°C (you can tell when the ends of the pork start charring). Take the pork from the oven, baste it with the reserved marinade, flip the strips, and return it to the oven. Roast for another 10 minutes each side until the pork is caramelized and completely cooked. A flipped and basted each side 2 times fo a total of around 30-40 mins. Internal temperature of the pork should be at least 63°C for properly cooked pork

   
   

6. Rest and Slice: Allow the char siu to rest for a few minutes. Baste with the finishing marinade that was set aside in Step 1 before slicing it into thin pieces.

   
   

After preparing my char siu, it was hard to resist sinking my teeth into the juicy, glistening pieces.

A close-up of beautifully glazed homemade char siu just out of the oven.

Enjoying My Homemade Charsiu

Diving into my char siu, served with rice and steamed vegetables, was a revelation. The first bite was a mix of sweet and savory flavors, with the satisfying aroma from garlic and spices. Knowing I had created this dish myself brought immense joy.

What I learned from this experience is that you do not need to be a professional cook to create impressive meals. Char siu is a shining example of this. With its simple recipe and wonderful flavors, it quickly became a beloved dish in my home.

Final Thoughts

Making char siu was not just a fun culinary project; it also taught me how easy it can be to create delightful dishes at home. With a bit of patience and quality ingredients, including fermented red bean sauce and hoisin sauce, plus some love and care, I crafted something truly special.

I hope my story motivates you to give char siu a try. With such straightforward steps and delicious results, it's a culinary adventure worth embarking on. Enjoy your journey into the world of homemade char siu!

Glistening Sliced Char Siu Ready to Eat