Cantonese-Style Char Siu Pork Belly
Succulent pork belly marinated in a sweet and savory char siu sauce, roasted to a glossy, caramelized finish. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 70 minutes pairs hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs, skin removed, cut into 2-inch strips pork belly
- 3 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
- 1 cube, mashed red fermented tofu (optional)
- 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine 3 tbsp hoisin sauce, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder, 1 mashed cube of red fermented tofu (if using), 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine, 2 cloves minced garlic, and 1 tsp sesame oil to create the marinade.
- Step 2: Add 2 lbs pork belly strips to the marinade, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight for deep flavor.
- Step 3: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking tray with foil and place a rack on top.
- Step 4: Arrange the marinated pork belly strips on the rack, reserving leftover marinade.
- Step 5: Roast pork belly for 30 minutes, then baste with reserved marinade and continue roasting for another 20-25 minutes until the edges are caramelized and glossy.
- Step 6: For extra caramelization, broil for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cantonese-Style Char Siu Pork Belly take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (15 min prep + 55 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cantonese-Style Char Siu Pork Belly?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep hoisin sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cantonese-Style Char Siu Pork Belly?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cantonese-Style Char Siu Pork Belly for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cantonese-Style Char Siu Pork Belly?
Chinese pork like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
