This easy, authentic char siu sauce recipe makes the perfect marinade for pork, chicken, or any meat you like. It works great for grilling or oven-roasting and comes together in just minutes!
What is char siu sauce
Char siu sauce is a sweet, savory Chinese barbecue marinade used for pork, chicken, or other meats. It tastes like a mix of sweet and savory, with hoisin, soy, and five-spice. The red color comes from food coloring or fermented bean curd, giving char siu its signature red look.
🍚 Ingredient tips and substitutes
- Light soy sauce Adds saltiness and umami depth.
- Oyster sauce Thick and savory with a subtle sweetness, essential for rich, glossy Asian marinades.
- Hoisin sauce Gives the marinade its signature sweet and tangy character with fermented soy complexity.
- Shaoxing wine Traditional Chinese cooking wine that adds aroma and depth.
- Brown sugar Balances the saltiness and enhances caramelization during roasting.
- Chinese five-spice powder A fragrant blend of star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and fennel that gives char siu its classic warmth.
- Garlic Use fresh garlic for the best taste.
- Red food coloring (optional) Used for the iconic red color; skip it for a natural look.
👩🍳 How to make char siu marinade
Step 1: Whisk all ingredients together until the sugar has dissolved and the marinade is smooth.
Step 2: You can use it immediately or let it sit for 5–10 minutes to let the garlic and five-spice really soak in. Use it to marinate pork, chicken, or your favorite meat. For best results, let the protein marinate for at least a few hours or overnight in the fridge.
🫙 More Asian sauces to try
Once you try this homemade char siu marinade, you’ll never go back to the bottled stuff! Let me know how it turns out in the comments, and don’t forget to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for more!
Char Siu Sauce Recipe
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Spoon
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 2 tbsp shaoxing wine
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tsp Chinese five-spice powder
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- a few drops of red food coloring as needed
Instructions
- Whisk the marinade: Combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk until the sugar dissolves and everything is well blended.
- Let it rest: You can use it right away or let it sit for 5–10 minutes so the garlic and spices meld. Marinate pork, chicken, or your favorite meat and let it rest for a few hours or overnight in the fridge.
Notes
- Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and should be considered approximate.
