This all-natural Chinese BBQ Sauce tastes just like your favorite takeout!
Barbecuing meat has been around since the beginning of time, and varieties of BBQ sauces are as diverse across America as they are globally. With Chinese food consistently ranking as one of the most popular takeout cuisines in America, it’s only fair to assume more of us would like a simple way to recreate some of our favorite takeout flavors at home. And this super simple sauce allows you to do just that.
Chinese barbecue sauce, otherwise known as char siu sauce, originates from Guangdong and is traditionally used with barbecued pork. The words char siu literally mean “fork roasted,” which is a nod to the traditional cooking method of skewering seasoned pork with long forks and placing them in an oven or over a fire. The sauce is both sweet and savory, with rich umami notes.
I can still perfectly picture the familiar sight of red-tinged meats slathered in char siu sauce hanging in the windows of Chinese barbecue restaurants in downtown Manhattan. The juicy, incredibly flavorful meat is still one of my favorite Chinese takeout dishes, and now, I can have the sauce on hand whenever the craving strikes.
Is This Chinese BBQ Sauce Healthy?
This recipe for Chinese barbecue sauce is vegetarian, Paleo-friendly, and contains no refined sugar. Many store-bought, commercially made varieties of char siu sauce will contain refined sugars and food coloring to get the bright red hue. To make the sauce gluten-free, swap the soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos, and make sure your hoisin sauce is gluten-free, too.
As for health benefits, you typically wouldn’t rely on a condiment for nutrition, and that’s no exception here. Like most other sauces, feel free to enjoy this Chinese BBQ sauce in moderation.
The Best Meat To Use With This Sauce
While pork is the classic choice to use with Chinese BBQ sauce, it works so well with just about anything. Chicken thighs, beef short ribs, duck breast, and even tofu can all soak up its deep, savory-sweet flavor.
If you want that classic char siu experience, go for a cut of pork with some fat—pork shoulder or pork belly work best because they stay juicy while developing a crispy, caramelized edge.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
After your sauce has cooled, transfer it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. You can also freeze it for up to 1 month.
Serving Suggestions
This sauce is great for barbecued meat, like pork or chicken, as well as seafood. You can even turn it into a dip! Just add one to two tablespoons of smooth peanut butter, stir until fully incorporated, and enjoy! For more Chinese-inspired dishes, try these Sweet And Sour Meatballs, these Five-Spice Chicken Thighs, or this Spicy Zucchini Stir Fry.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup hoisin sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, Chinese five-spice powder, sesame oil, and ground ginger.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir the mixture until well combined.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Remove from heat and allow the sauce to cool. Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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