This Char Siu Pork comes together in about 45 minutes and utilizes an air fryer for a quick and easy dinner option that your family will truly love! Trust me, this dish is going to become a weeknight favorite in no time!
What You’ll Need for the Perfect Char Siu Pork
To make this irresistible Char Siu pork, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 2.5-3 lbs pork butt (cut into 2″ strips)
- 3-4 pieces garlic, minced (I know I’m a garlic lover, so I usually go with 4!)
- 2 slices ginger (optional, but recommended for that extra zing!)
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 1/4 cup oyster sauce
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (low sodium or regular)
- 1/2 tsp five spice powder
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp salt (season to taste!)
- 1 tbsp cooking wine (if you have it, it really heightens the flavor)
- 1 tbsp oil (vegetable or canola)
- 2 tsp red food coloring (optional) or 1 tbsp fermented red bean curd
The beauty of this recipe is you can adjust it based on what you have in your pantry! Don’t have hoisin sauce? Worcestershire works in a pinch!
Let’s Get Cooking!
1. Prepare the Marinade
In a bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, sliced ginger (if you’re using it), brown sugar, honey, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, both soy sauces, five spice powder, sesame oil, salt, cooking wine, and oil. If you want that beautiful reddish hue, throw in some red food coloring or fermented red bean curd for an authentic touch. Mix well until everything is combined, about 2 minutes or so!
2. Marinate the Pork
Place your 2″ strips of pork into a large zip-top bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the pork, ensuring each piece is coated well. Seal the bag or cover the dish, and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours (but, if you can, overnight is where the magic happens). Your kitchen will smell amazing, just wait!
3. Air Fryer Instructions
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the marinated pork strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket, depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to do this in batches. Air fry for about 20-25 minutes, flipping the pork halfway through, until it’s caramelized and cooked through. Keep an eye on it for that perfect crispy finish, thank me later!
4. Oven Instructions (if no air fryer)
No air fryer? No problem! Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. Arrange the marinated pork strips on the rack and bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping once. For that extra caramelization, broil for an additional 2-3 minutes! I love serving this with steamed rice and pickled veggies. Trust me, it’s better than takeout!
If you loved this Char Siu Pork, be sure to check out my Parmesan Pork Chops, my Pork Egg Rolls, or my Mexican Pork Pozole! Each of these meals brings tons of flavor and satisfaction to your weeknight routines.
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This dish comes together in under 45 minutes, making it a fantastic option for busy weeknights when time is limited but flavor is a must!
Make-Ahead Friendly
If you prep the marinade in advance, you can simply throw the pork in when you get home, and you’ll have a hearty meal in no time.
Crowd-Pleaser
This Char Siu pork is loaded with tons of flavor and is bound to impress everyone around the dinner table. Seriously, your family will love it!
Customizable
Feel free to swap out any ingredients. Don’t have oyster sauce? No worries! Just use soy sauce instead. The key to this recipe is to have fun and experiment!
Budget-Friendly
You can find these ingredients at your local grocery store without breaking the bank. That’s a win in my book!
Serving & Storage Suggestions
How to Serve This Barbecued Pork
This Char Siu pork is super versatile! Here are a few suggestions for how to enjoy it:
- Serve it over steamed rice or noodles.
- Pile it onto buns for delicious sliders.
- Pair with pickled veggies or a fresh salad to balance the sweetness.
Storage
Leftovers are a total game changer! Store any uneaten Char Siu pork in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This makes for an excellent reheatable lunch to take to work, y’all.
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, simply use a microwave or place it in a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water or broth to keep it from drying out. Cover and heat until warmed through, about 5-7 minutes in the skillet should do the trick.
Freezer Friendly
You can freeze the marinated pork before cooking it! Just pop it in a heavy-duty zip-top bag. It will last in the freezer for up to 3 months. To cook, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before following the cooking instructions.
Menu planning can be hectic, especially when you want something delicious but not hours in the kitchen. This Char Siu Pork certainly fits the bill! And you know what? The joy of finally enjoying that warm plate of tasty goodness… it’s hard to beat.
Now, what’s stopping you from whipping this all up? Go for it and treat yourself and your loved ones to something special tonight, enjoy every single bite!
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Easy Char Siu Pork
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: None
Description
This mouthwatering Barbecued Pork comes together in about 45 minutes and uses an air fryer for a quick and delicious family dinner.
Ingredients
- 2.5–3 lbs pork butt, cut into 2-inch strips
- 3–4 pieces garlic, minced
- 2 slices ginger (optional)
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 1/4 cup oyster sauce
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (low sodium or regular)
- 1/2 tsp five spice powder
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp salt (season to taste)
- 1 tbsp cooking wine
- 1 tbsp oil (vegetable or canola)
- 2 tsp red food coloring (optional)
- 1 tbsp fermented red bean curd (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: Whisk together garlic, ginger (if using), brown sugar, honey, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, both soy sauces, five spice powder, sesame oil, salt, cooking wine, and oil until combined.
- Marinate the Pork: Place pork strips in a zip-top bag, pour marinade over, seal, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Air Fryer Instructions: Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Arrange pork in a single layer and air fry for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Oven Instructions: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Arrange marinated pork on a wire rack over a baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping once and broiling for 2-3 minutes if desired.
Notes
This recipe is customizable based on ingredients available. Serve over rice or in buns for sliders.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying / Baking
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg