Honey-Glazed Barbecue Pork

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork shoulder coated in a sweet-savory glaze of honey, soy, and five-spice, roasted until caramelized for a classic Cantonese favorite. This asian ready in about 50 minutes pairs pork shoulder, honey, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 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.

★ 4.6 (15 ratings) Prep: 30 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 300 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 3 tbsp honey, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice wine, 2 tbsp hoisin sauce, 1 tbsp five-spice powder, 1 tsp minced garlic, and 1 tsp minced ginger; mix well.
  2. Step 2: Add 1.5 lbs trimmed pork shoulder cubes and 1 tbsp cornstarch to the marinade, tossing to coat evenly; marinate for 30 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat; add marinated pork and cook for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and sauce thickens.
  4. Step 4: Transfer to a plate and rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Honey-Glazed Barbecue Pork take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (30 min prep + 20 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 Honey-Glazed Barbecue Pork?

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 pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Honey-Glazed Barbecue Pork?

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 Honey-Glazed Barbecue Pork 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 Honey-Glazed Barbecue Pork?

Asian asian 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.

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