Cha Siu Pork (Char Siu Pork) Recipe Better Than Takeout!

If you're looking for a BETTER than takeout cha siu pork recipe, you have come to the right place. Once you try this recipe you won't be ordering takeout again!

With prices soaring at $15 per pound for cha siu pork at my local Chinese BBQ spot, I have been making cha siu (Char Siu) at home more often. Pork butt can usually be found on sale anywhere from $.99-$1.99 per pound. Last time there was a big meat sale I came home with 22lbs of meat. If you know me, you know I'm a sucker for a deal.

No Air Fryer? No Problem!

I try to always include alternate cooking instructions, and cha siu (char siu) is also great oven cooked. For making huge batches I actually do prefer using the oven.

Every Air Fryer is Different.

I have 2 Air fryers, and one is 1400 watts, and one is 900 watts. Both air fryers cook this Cha Siu very well. However, my stronger air fryer does cook a few minutes faster compared to my lower powered one. I would recommend at the 10 minute mark to check for any burning, and at 25 minutes check the internal temp with a meat probe.

Why is this Char Siu pork SO RED?

The traditional Cha Siu pork recipe calls for red fermented bean curds, which gives Char Siu it's signature red color. If you are not prepared of familiar with this bean curd, the smell can kick you in the face. I've tried this recipe with and without the fermented bean curd and i've opted to leave it out for this recipe since I do not noticed too much of a difference without it. I used food coloring for this recipe to give the pork it's signature color but that is totally optional!

I LOVE using pork butt for this recipe!

I love using pork butt for this recipe because not only is it super affordable, you can pick some fatty pork butt that just makes this dish that much juicer and tastier. When slicing the pork but into 2" strips, try to slice with the grain. That way, when the pork is done cooking, you can slice against the grain for a more tender bite.

If you LOVE this Cha Siu Pork, here are some other Air Fryer recipes you might like. Check out these other Easy Air Fryer recipes:

• Honey Soy Wing
• Roast Pork
• Salt and Pepper Wings

Equipment

• 1 blender
• 1 air fryer or oven

Ingredients for Cha Siu Pork:

• 2.5-3 lbs pork butt ( Cut into 2" strips)
• 3-4 pieces garlic
• 2 slices ginger is (optional)
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup Hoisin Sauce
• ¼ cup Oyster sauce
• 2 tbsp Light Soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Soy Sauce - Low Sodium or regular
• ½ tsp Five spice powder
• 1 tbsp Sesame Oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tbsp cooking wine
• 1 tbsp oil (vegetable or canola)
• 2 tsp red food coloring (optional) or
• 1 tbsp fermented red bean curd

Instructions

Preparing the marinade

• Into a blender, Combine, (All ingredients other than pork) and blend well. ** Set aside 5 tablespoon of the marinade for basting** 3-4 pieces garlic, 2 slices ginger (optional), 2 tablespoon brown sugar, ¼ cup honey, ¼ cup Hoisin Sauce, ¼ cup Oyster sauce, 2 tablespoon Light Soy sauce, 1 tablespoon Soy Sauce - Low Sodium or regular, ½ teaspoon Five spice powder, 1 tablespoon Sesame Oil, 1 teaspoon Salt, 1 tablespoon cooking wine, 1 tablespoon oil (vegetable or canola), 2 teaspoon red food coloring (optional) or, 1 tablespoon fermented red bean curd
• Cut Pork butt into 2" thick strips.
• Into a mixing bowl, combine pork with marinade sauce. For best results, cover and refrigerate overnight, but marinate at least 30-45 minutes before cooking. *For better marinade absorption, poke holes with a fork all over the meat*

Air Fryer Cooking Instructions

• Preheat your air fryer to 375
• Add pork into the air fryer and set cook time for 25 minutes
• Every 5 minutes, flip the pork and baste with the marinade sauce
• At the 25 minute mark your cha siu should be almost done. Check the internal temp.
• When the temp reaches 145 you're done ! Set aside for 5 minutes before cutting (If you like the pork a little more well done, cook for an additional 3-5 minutes)
• Enjoy!

Oven Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 375
• Add pork into the oven on a cooling rack (If you have one) and set cook time for 25-30 minutes
• Every 5 minutes, flip the pork and baste with the marinade sauce
• After 30 minutes check the internal temperature of the cha siu.
• Then turn up to 400F and bring to the top rack for 5 minutes but watch closely for burning
• or there is too much char you can turn down the oven to 350 to finish cooking, and cover the charred portion with a piece of foil
• When the temp reaches 145 you're done ! Set aside for 5 minutes before cutting (If you like the pork a little more well done, cook for an additional 3-5 minutes)
• Enjoy!

Notes:

If you love sauce like me, pour some drippings from the tray over your rice 🙂

If you want to shorten the marinade time, poke holes all over the meat so the flavors can absorb more quickly.

**Every air fryer is slightly different at the 10 minute mark if the pork is looking very charred, you can turn the heat down to 350 and continue monitoring it**

Notes

If you love sauce like me, pour some drippings from the tray over your rice 🙂

If you want to shorten the marinade time, poke holes all over the meat so the flavors can absorb more quickly.

**Every air fryer is slightly different at the 10 minute mark if the pork is looking very charred, you can turn the heat down to 350 and continue monitoring it**

📖 Recipe Card