BBQ Char Siu Roast Pork on the Grill
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless pork shoulder)
(900g, select a cut with some good fat on it
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon five spice powder
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 2 teaspoons molasses
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1/8 teaspoon red food coloring
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon warm water
- Leftover marinade
Directions
- 1
Cut the pork into long 1 1/2 to 2-inch thick pieces. There is a technique to cutting pork that I learned from my father. First, find where the meat has the fat and the membrane between the muscle, and use a sharp knife to cut and separate them. My father always said that if you look at the pork closely, it will show you how it wants to be cut by following the muscle membrane lines. This is a brilliant way to do it, because you end up with the fat and the tougher membrane on the outside, protecting the tender meat and keeping it juicy on the grill. The marinade and heat also break down this membrane, so it won’t be tough at all.
- 2
Once you have your pieces of meat separated, you can decide if they need to be cut further into manageable pieces since grilling involves more handling and moving/turning of the meat than roasting in the oven. You will most likely have to butterfly the thicker pieces of the meat to get the desired thickness. Always start where the meat starts to be thicker; cut towards and into the thickest part, stop 1½ inches from the end and butterfly the meat. This method for breaking down the pork also applies to roasting Chinese BBQ pork in the oven. I included some pictures and details since we got quite a few questions after posting the oven-roasted version.
- 3
Mix all of the marinade ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Place the pork into a gallon zip top bag, and pour the marinade mix in. Seal the bag and work the marinade into the meat until every piece is evenly coated. Refrigerate overnight.
- 4
The next day, place the pork on a plate, making sure to shake off the excess marinade in the bag. Too much marinade left on the meat will increase the chances of burning your pork. Pour the rest of the marinade into a bowl and add the rest of the basting ingredients; get your basting brush ready.
- 5
Preheat your grill, making sure it's extremely hot. You want a nice sear on the meat to seal in the juices before you turn it, but try not to get it too crispy on one side. You will be turning the meat often during the cooking process to prevent burning and make sure that marinade gets nice and caramelized. On a hot grill, you should be cooking it for about 3 minutes before flipping it.
- 6
After both sides are seared, you can turn the grill down slightly to prevent drying out the meat. Turn the meat often; I did every 2 to 3 minutes making sure to get an even sear on all sides. I also started to brush and baste the meat after each turn to keep it moist and flavorful. If the meat looks like it starts to get dry on the surface, it needs to be basted.
- 7
Continue this turning and basting for another 20 to 30 minutes and make sure you don’t walk away from the grill! With all of this marinade, the roast pork could burn to a crisp very quickly, so protect your time and investment! Also make sure that you stop basting a few minutes before you pull the meat off the grill since the marinade was in contact with raw meat.
- 8
You can check the pork with a meat thermometer to be sure it’s done (145 degrees F), and remove it from the grill to let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Enjoy this one and Happy Fourth of July!
BBQ Char Siu Roast Pork on the Grill
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About this Recipe
Craving that irresistible, juicy Chinese roast pork you love from your favorite BBQ joint, but want to make it at home on the grill? This BBQ Char Siu Roast Pork recipe brings those authentic flavors right to your backyard, using the grill for a smoky, tender result.
This recipe works by leveraging a rich, complex marinade and the unique heat of your grill. Instead of traditional oven roasting, cooking the char siu on the grill imparts a fantastic smoky char that complements the sweet and savory notes of the pork. The extensive marinating time, essential for this dish, ensures every bite is deeply flavorful and incredibly juicy.
What you can expect is tender, succulent pork with a gorgeous mahogany-red exterior and a hint of smoky flavor. The marinade, a vibrant blend of sugar, salt, five spice powder, white pepper, Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, hoisin, molasses, and fresh garlic, infuses the pork shoulder with layers of aromatic sweetness and savory depth. The touch of red food coloring gives it that signature vibrant hue, making it as appealing to the eye as it is to the palate. Each bite offers a delightful balance of sweet, savory, and umami, with a subtle warmth from the five-spice.
Customization & Variations
While boneless pork shoulder with good fat is ideal for its juiciness, you can experiment with other cuts if you prefer. Adjust the amount of red food coloring to your preference, or omit it entirely if you'd rather have a more natural color. For a different touch, consider brushing with a little extra honey glaze during the final minutes of grilling.
This BBQ Char Siu Roast Pork is perfect as a show-stopping main course, perhaps sliced and served alongside steamed rice, or as a flavorful component in noodle dishes or sandwiches. It also makes for excellent appetizers, thinly sliced and arranged on a platter.