Description
This BEST Char Siu Sauce recipe offers a deliciously authentic blend of sweet, savory, and aromatic flavors perfect for marinating or glazing Chinese-style BBQ pork. Made from a harmonious mix of hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, and traditional Chinese spices, it creates the mouthwatering red glaze characteristic of classic Char Siu dishes. Quick to prepare and versatile, this sauce can elevate your home-cooked Asian meals with its rich, balanced taste.
Ingredients
Char Siu Sauce Ingredients
- 1/3 cup hoisin sauce (homemade hoisin sauce highly recommended for best flavor)
- 1/3 cup soy sauce or tamari
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons Chinese rice wine
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional)
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons Chinese five spice (homemade Chinese five spice highly recommended for best flavor)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- A few drops of natural red food coloring (optional for traditional red color)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Place all of the ingredients except the natural red food coloring into a small saucepan. This includes the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, Chinese rice wine, oyster sauce (if using), toasted sesame oil, Chinese five spice, garlic powder, and ground ginger.
- Bring to a Boil: Heat the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil, ensuring all ingredients blend well together.
- Simmer the Sauce: Once boiling, reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes. This allows the flavors to fully meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Cool and Add Food Coloring: Turn off the heat and let the sauce cool completely. If desired, add a few drops of natural red food coloring to achieve the traditional bright red Char Siu glaze color.
- Store Properly: Transfer the cooled sauce to a clean container and store it in the refrigerator. The sauce will keep well for at least 2 weeks, ready for use in marinating or glazing Char Siu pork or other dishes.
Notes
- Using homemade hoisin sauce and Chinese five spice results in a more authentic and fresher flavor.
- Natural red food coloring is optional and used mainly to replicate the traditional red color of Char Siu.
- This sauce can be used not only for Char Siu but also as a glaze or dipping sauce for meats and vegetables.
- Store the sauce in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
- To make the sauce spicier, consider adding a small amount of chili paste or fresh chili during simmering.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
