Instant Pot Char Siu

Instant Pot Char Siu. Way to cook this Chinese classic without the mess. Made only on easy ingredients easily available, use this as Bun filling.

Or you can fill your Instant Pot Steam Buns with it.

 

Instant Pot Char Siu

If you want a simple filling for your Bao Buns, this Instant Pot Char Siu is the best choice. Although you can use my Instant Pot Gua Bao Pork Belly Buns

too. Whatever you choose you are met with an easy, no-mess recipe using the ever-reliable Instant Pot Duo Crisp plus air fryer. I am so loving it since any meal made in it comes out fast.

Tired of the traditional BBQ party for the weekend? Impress your family with this Instant Pot Char Siu recipe, a delicious and easy way to cook pork perfect for a blowout meal.

Hosting your next family gathering when you’re short on time can be stressful. This Instant Pot Char Siu recipe is for you! Made with only a few ingredients and in under an hour, this dish is sure to be a hit.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s get cooking!

What is Char Siu?

Char siu is a Cantonese-style BBQ pork that is often served as an appetizer or main course in Chinese restaurants. It is made by marinating pork belly or loin in a sweet and savory sauce, and then roasting it until the exterior is slightly charred.

Char Siu is the Cantonese word for “fork roasted”, referring to the traditional method of roasting meat on a fork over an open fire.

This recipe is traditionally made with hoisin sauce, soy sauce, Chinese five-spice powder, and rice wine. Nevertheless, my Instant Pot Char Siu recipe is a bit sweeter than the traditional version because I’ve used brown sugar as one of the main sweeteners. However, you can always adjust the sweetness to your liking by adding more or less honey.

Seems interesting, isn’t it?

 

What Cut of Pork Should I Use?

You can use pork belly because it has a higher fat content which makes the meat more moist and tender. You could also have pork loin if you prefer. Just keep in mind though that pork loin is a leaner cut of meat, so it may not be as moist as pork belly.

For this recipe, however, I used pork shoulder or pork butt because it’s more affordable and still has a good amount of fat. It’s also easy to find in most grocery stores.

Five-spice Powder

Five-spice powder is a spice blend made with five ground spices: cinnamon, cloves, fennel seed, star anise, and Sichuan pepper. It’s often used in Asian cooking to flavor meats and marinades.

If you don’t have this, you can easily make your five-spice powder with some common spices that you probably already have in your pantry. To make your own, just combine 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves, 1/2 teaspoon of fennel seeds, 1/2 teaspoon of star anise, and 1/4 teaspoon of Sichuan peppercorns.

Hoisin Sauce

Hoisin sauce is a thick, sweet, and salty sauce made with soybeans, garlic, chili peppers, and various Chinese spices. It’s often used as a dipping sauce or marinade for meats. You can find this in the international aisle of most grocery stores.

Shaoxing Rice Wine

Shaoxing rice wine is a type of Chinese rice wine that’s made with fermented rice. It has a sweet and fruity flavor that’s often used in Asian cooking. You can find this in the international aisle of most grocery stores or online.

As an alternative, you can always use dry sherry, cooking wine, or Mirin (a Japanese sweet rice wine).

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs boneless pork shoulder/pork butt
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon five-spice powder
• 1 teaspoon white pepper
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon Shaoxing rice wine
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 2 teaspoons molasses
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1/2 cup water

Instructions:

• In a small-medium bowl, mix all of the ingredients except the meat. Mix until sugar is dissolved.
• Place the meat inside a large bowl, or a Ziploc and pour the marinade ingredients.
• Place the inner pot in the base unit and set the air fryer tray into place. Spray the tray with nonstick oil.
• Arrange the meat and spray them with nonstick oil.
• Cover the Instant Pot with the air fryer lid and push the air fryer button setting. Set the temperature to 390 F and set the timer to fifty minutes. Check the doneness of the meat using the meat thermometer start checking the meat forty minutes into baking. It should be done when the meat temperature reaches 170 F to 180 F

Tips and Tricks

Instant Pot Char Siu may be a typical Chinese dish, but it can be enjoyed by people from all walks of life. It’s simple to make and can easily be tailored to your liking by adding more or fewer ingredients. Here are some things you should learn or apply to make your Char Siu extra special:

• If you don’t have all of the ingredients for the marinade, use what you have on hand. The most important thing is the sugar, salt, soy sauce, and Shaoxing rice wine.
• Consider doubling the recipe and freezing half for a quick and easy meal later on.  Just reheat in the microwave or oven and enjoy!
• Not a fan of pork? Don’t worry, you can easily substitute chicken, beef, or lamb in this recipe. Don’t forget to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
• Not a fan of spice? Leave out the Sichuan peppercorns from the five-spice powder and you’re good to go.
• If you want crispy skin, you can always broil the meat for a few minutes before serving. Just be sure to keep a close eye on it so it doesn’t burn.
• The sky’s the limit when it comes to sides. Serve your char siu with some steamed rice and veggies, or get creative and make a char siu rice bowl with all your favorite toppings.

 

What is the perfect way to eat my Instant Pot Char Siu?

Some people like to eat it with rice, while others prefer to eat it on their own. Some people like to dip it in sauce, while others prefer to eat it plain. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide how you want to enjoy your Instant Pot Char Siu!

Instant Pot Char Siu is also the perfect filling for your Bao Bun. Whether you chose this or my Instant Pot Gua Bao Pork Belly Buns, you’re in for a treat with these easy, no-mess recipes using the ever-reliable Instant Pot Duo Crisp plus air fryer.  

There you have it! This a delicious and easy Instant Pot Char Siu recipe that you can make at home. This dish is pretty high in calories and fat, so it’s not the best choice if you’re trying to watch your weight. But it is a healthier alternative to take-out char siu, and it’s still a delicious treat!

Try it out and let us know how you like it in the comments below! And don’t forget to check out our other Instant Pot recipes while you’re here!

For more recipes cooked in the Instant Pot

• Jasmine Rice Cooked in the Instant Pot
• Okinawan Sweet Potato
• Instant Pot Kare Kare
• Instant Pot Adobo
• Instant Pot Sushi Rice
• Instant Pot Gua Bao
• Instant Pot Oyster Sauce Chicken Wings

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For more Steamed Buns Recipe:

• Steamed Pork Belly
• Filipino Style Steamed Buns (Siopao)
• Siopao with Meatballs