Chinese Barbecue Pork with Honey-Soy Glaze
Tender roasted pork shoulder basted with a sweet and savory honey-soy marinade, a classic Cantonese BBQ favorite. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 90 minutes pairs boneless pork shoulder, hoisin sauce, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, 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
- 1 kg, boneless pork shoulder
- 3 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tbsp rice wine
- 1/4 tsp red food coloring (optional)
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp hoisin sauce, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp rice wine, and 1/4 tsp red food coloring if using for color.
- Step 2: Place 1 kg boneless pork shoulder in a large ziplock bag and pour in the marinade, massaging to coat the meat evenly.
- Step 3: Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight for best flavor.
- Step 4: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the pork on a wire rack over a baking tray lined with foil.
- Step 5: Roast for 45 minutes, basting every 15 minutes with remaining marinade to develop a glossy glaze.
- Step 6: Increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C) and roast for an additional 15 minutes to caramelize the surface.
- Step 7: Rest the pork for 10 minutes before slicing thinly and serving with steamed rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chinese Barbecue Pork with Honey-Soy Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 90 minutes (15 min prep + 75 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 Chinese Barbecue Pork with Honey-Soy Glaze?
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 boneless pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Chinese Barbecue Pork with Honey-Soy Glaze?
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 Chinese Barbecue Pork with Honey-Soy Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Chinese Barbecue Pork with Honey-Soy Glaze?
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.