Name: HOMEMADE CHAR SIU SAUCE
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 2 tbsp hoisin sauce (or vegan or vegetarian substitute); 2 tbsp light soy sauce (or tamari sauce); 1 tsp dark soy (or tamari sauce); 2 tbsp honey (or sugar); 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine (optional); 1 tbsp oyster sauce (use non-seafood option); 1 tbsp five spice powder; 3 cloves garlic (chopped); 2 drops food colouring gel

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This homemade char siu sauce is a Chinese-style marinade for char siu or Chinese barbeque. It is uniquely sweet, salty, and garlicky, with the distinct aroma of the five-spice powder and unmissable red colour. It comes together in 5 minutes from start to finish ready to marinate pork or other protein like tofu or stir-fry sauce.

Char siu is a Chinese pork barbeque. The literal translation of char siu is fork roasted. It is a traditional Chinese cooking method where slices of marinated meat are skewered with special forks and placed in the oven to roast and then basted during the roasting process with the marinade. This is done so the glossy exterior is achieved.

This is one of many Chinese sauces I have learnt to make at home because it is easy and there is no need to buy a bottle in the shops ever again. However, char siu is something that I admit to have only made once because my family do not eat much pork, char siu does not appear on the table as often as other dishes like stir-fries or soups do.

That does not mean, that I will not have the flavours of Chinese barbecue at home. Now I use char siu sauce, a marinade, to marinate minced meat like pork or chicken, forming them into patties and pan-frying them.

A dish with a balance of sweet, savoury garlicky and five-spice fragrances, ends up on the table to be enjoyed with rice or noodles, vegetables and soup.

Ingredients

Please check the notes on the ingredients to make this sauce adaptable to gluten-free, vegan or vegetarian needs.

Hoisin sauce – a Chinese sauce found in Asian sections in shops or online, it lends a sweet and savoury flavour; check the label if it is suitable for vegans or vegetarians

Light soy sauce – use for the saltiness, this is the regular soy sauce, replace with tamari sauce to make this gluten-free

Dark soy sauce – use in addition to light soy sauce for colour and sweetness, as said above replace with tamari sauce for a gluten-free version

Honey – substitute with brown or white sugar for sweetness and to make it gluten-free; sugar adds caramel flavour to the sauce

Shaoxing wine – added for fragrance and umami it imparts to the dish, this is an optional ingredient but recommended, leave it out if unable to consume alcohol

Oyster sauce – could be found in the sauce and condiment section in-store and online. Vegan substitutes such as this or make your own which she makes look easy and doable

Five spice powder – this could spice blend is available pre-packed in the spice section of Chinese or even Western supermarkets and online

Garlic – fresh garlic is preferred for pungency, garlic note but garlic powder could also be used if fresh is not available

Food colouring – this is used to stain the pork red in place of the traditional fermented red bean curd

How to make Char Siu Sauce?

In a medium bowl, combine and add all the ingredients. Stir to mix well. Check for saltiness and sweetness and adjust to your liking. It is now ready to use as a marinade or a stir-fry sauce.

If used as a dip, add a tablespoon of cornstarch, transfer to a saucepan, over medium heat and cook until the sauce thickens while whisking constantly. Let the sauce cool completely. This process will approximately take about 5 minutes.

Recipe Notes

How to use char siu sauce?

Char siu sauce is not only used to marinate the classic Cantonese barbecue pork but also used to marinate chicken and seafood and even tofu. It is also brushed on grilled vegetables or added to noodle soups. It is great added as a flavouring for fillings in steamed buns, to stir-fries, and as a dipping sauce.

How long does homemade char siu sauce last?

Keep in an airtight container to store in a cool place. The sauce will last at least two weeks but we tend to use a batch within 10 to 14 days.

What is char siu sauce made of?

All the things needed to make char siu sauce are easy to find in supermarkets. This char siu sauce recipe is made of liquid ingredients, spices and aromatic. The liquid ingredients are hoisin sauce, light and dark soy sauce, honey, Shaoxing wine, oyster sauce, and food coloring gel. The spice is five spice powder and garlic as the aromatic.

What does char siu sauce taste like?

It is a balance of sticky, sweet, salty, with a fragrant taste from the spices and aromatic.

Is char siu Japanese or Chinese?

Char siu is Cantonese barbecue pork and Cha su i is the Japanese take on the Chinese barbecue pork. The difference between the two is that the Japanese braise the meat, unlike the Chinese way that is roasting.

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