Char Siu Pork Recipe | The Best Chinese BBQ Pork Tenderloin

Char Siu Pork Tenderloin recipe delivers all the authentic flavors you love—perfectly balanced sweetness, a hint of spice, and that irresistible glossy finish—all in a leaner, healthier cut of pork. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a kitchen novice, this recipe is easy to follow and guarantees delicious results every time!

Why You’ll Love This Perfect Pork Recipe

• Minimal effort. Just marinate, bake, brush, and slice. This is a simple recipe even the most beginner home cooks can master.
• Budget-friendly ingredients. Create a high-protein meal that will feed a crowd with an affordable cut of meat.
• Packed with flavor. With a lovely combination of Asian sauces and flavorful spices, you can create a bite that lingers on your palate.
• No artificial dyes. Unlike some other popular char siu pork recipes, this recipe doesn’t include red food coloring.

Whether you’re searching for a simple dish to make for a weeknight meal or you want to create one of your favorite Asian dishes at home for a fraction of the price of takeout, this Char Siu Pork Tenderloin recipe is always a great choice.

What Does Char Siu Pork Taste Like?

Char Siu Pork is a combination of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors, with a touch of spice. Its signature taste comes from a combination of ingredients like hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and molasses, which create a luscious, caramelized glaze. The pork itself is tender and juicy, thanks to the marinade and basting.

Whether enjoyed on its own, served with rice, or added to noodles, its bold, balanced flavors make it an unforgettable dish.

What Is The Best Cut Of Meat For Char Siu?

The best cut of meat for Char Siu depends on your preference for tenderness, juiciness, and fat content. The key is choosing a cut that absorbs the marinade well and retains moisture during cooking.

For this recipe, I chose pork tenderloin because it is an extremely budget-friendly option. However, pork shoulder, pork loin, or pork belly are all delicious options.

If you’re using a cut of pork that is larger than 2.5-3 pounds, you will want to double the amount of marinade. Always ensure the internal temperature of your cut of pork reaches at least 145F before serving.

Ingredients To Grab

• Pork Tenderloin– The lean and tender cut of pork serves as the base for the dish. Its mild flavor absorbs the marinade well, creating a juicy and flavorful bite.
• Oyster Sauce– Adds a deep, savory umami flavor to the marinade. Its slightly sweet and salty profile enhances the richness of the dish.
• Hoisin Sauce– Provides a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy element to the marinade, helping to create the characteristic flavor.
• Soy Sauce– Brings a salty and savory backbone to the marinade while balancing the sweetness of other ingredients.
• Molasses– Adds a deep caramel-like sweetness and helps create the glossy, slightly sticky coating.
• Brown Sugar– Adds a sweet note to balance the savory and umami flavors in the marinade. When cooked, it caramelizes to contribute to the pork’s glossy appearance.
• Vegetable Oil– Keeps the pork tenderloin moist during cooking and is the base of the marinade.
• Sesame Oil– Adds a nutty, toasty aroma that enhances the marinade’s depth and complexity.
• Garlic Paste– Provides a pungent, aromatic kick that pairs well with the other marinade ingredients to deepen the flavor.
• Ground Ginger– Adds a warm, slightly spicy undertone that complements the sweet and savory notes.
• Chinese Five Spice– The star seasoning in char siu, this blend (typically including star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and fennel) provides a distinctive flavor to the dish.

These ingredients combine to create the signature sweet, savory, and slightly smoky flavor profile of char siu pork tenderloin, with a rich glaze and tender, juicy texture.

How To Make Char Siu Pork Tenderloin

Prepare the marinade. Place the pork tenderloin, vegetable oil, sesame oil, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, molasses, brown sugar, garlic paste, ground ginger, and Chinese five spice in a large mixing bowl. Combine it until well-mixed. Ensure the pork tenderloin is well coated in the marinade. Allow to marinate for 4 hours. For the best flavor, let the tenderloin marinate overnight.

Create the sauce. Take the leftover marinade from your bowl and pour it into a pan. Allow it to simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Don’t skip this step. Simmering the marinade that previously had uncooked pork in it ensures it is safe to use for basting and as a sauce.

Roast and baste the pork tenderloin. Place a wire baking rack on top of a large baking pan with raised edges. Put the marinated pork tenderloin on top of the wire rack. Bake at 350F for 35-40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145F. Flip halfway through the cooking time. Use the sauce that you simmered to baste the tenderloin before and after flipping.

Rest, slice, and enjoy. Remove the Char Siu Pork Tenderloin from the oven and allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing it into bite-sized pieces. Serve the sliced pork and reserved sauce over rice or noodles for a deliciously simple weeknight meal.

Tips And Tricks

• Don’t skip the marinating. Allowing proper time to marinate (at least 4 hours) will help infuse the pork with flavor and create a tender bite. This recipe requires a bit of preplanning, but I assure you it is worth the extra effort.
• Use a meat thermometer. Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your pork tenderloin before serving. Place the probe in the thickest part of the pork to ensure it is at least 145F.
• Allow the pork to rest. Allowing the pork to rest before slicing allows the lovely juices to reabsorb into the the pork. Slicing the tenderloin before it rests will result in a very dry bite.

Variations

Love the irresistible flavors of this char sui pork tenderloin recipe but want to switch things up a little next time you make it? Try some of these lovely variations:

• Use a different cut of pork. Try using pork loin, pork shoulder, or pork belly instead of tenderloin.
• Swap out the protein. If your dietary preferences don’t allow you to eat pork, try using chicken thighs, chicken breasts, or even chicken wings in this marinade. The internal temperature of chicken should be at least 165F when cooked. The cooking times for the different cuts of meat will vary.
• Make it spicy. If you prefer things on the spicy side, add a tablespoon of sriracha or 1/4 teaspoon of red chili flakes to your marinade.

What To Eat With Char Siu Pork

This spectacular pork is delicious when served on its own, but for a complete meal experience, consider serving it with a variety of our favorite accompaniments:

• Steamed Rice
• Cream Cheese Wontons
• Egg Rolls
• Lo Mein
• Roasted Vegetables

How Long Does It Last?

Char Siu Pork Tenderloin will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container.

To reheat, place it back in the oven at 350F for 10-15 minutes. If you’re in a hurry for lunch leftovers, you can zap it in the microwave for 90 seconds, or until warmed through.

Can You Freeze It?

For longer storage, freeze cooked pork tenderloin for up to 2-3 months. Wrap it in aluminum foil or place it in a freezer-safe container to preserve its flavor and texture.

When you’re ready to enjoy your leftovers, defrost them in the refrigerator overnight. Warm them according to the instructions above before diving in.

If you love this Char Siu Pork Tenderloin recipe as much as we do, make sure you share it with your friends on Facebook and Instagram so they can try it too! Don’t forget to save it so you can make it next time you want to skip the Chinese takeout.