Sichuan-Style Char Siu with Honey Glaze
Pork shoulder marinated in fermented bean paste and star anise, roasted until sticky and deeply flavorful. This chinese-inspired pork (gluten-free) ready in about 40 minutes pairs (boneless) pork shoulder, fermented black bean paste, whole star anise for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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
- 1 lb (boneless) pork shoulder
- 2 tbsp fermented black bean paste
- 2 whole star anise
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp shaoxing wine
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Slice pork shoulder into 1/2-inch thick pieces. In a bowl, combine fermented black bean paste, 2 whole star anise, honey, soy sauce, shaoxing wine, and sesame oil. Mix until paste coats pork evenly.
- Step 2: Marinate pork in refrigerator for 2 hours, turning occasionally. Preheat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Step 3: Arrange marinated pork in a single layer on the sheet and roast for 25 minutes, basting twice with accumulated juices until edges are caramelized and sticky.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sichuan-Style Char Siu with Honey Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Sichuan-Style Char Siu with Honey 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 Sichuan-Style Char Siu with Honey 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 Sichuan-Style Char Siu with Honey Glaze 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.
Is Sichuan-Style Char Siu with Honey Glaze gluten-free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
A fantastic twist on traditional char siu. The honey balanced the spice beautifully.
- ★★★★★
Made this for my husband's birthday, and he said it's the best char siu he's ever had!
- ★★★★★
The honey glaze was perfect, and the Sichuan spice gave it that kick I love. My family devoured it!
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