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Test Kitchen Approved

Cantonese-Style BBQ Sauce

Cantonese-Style BBQ Sauce

Cantonese-Style BBQ Sauce

Recipe By Michael Kimball, Savory Spice Test Kitchen

Yields

3/4 cup

Prep Time

5 Minutes

Recipe By Michael Kimball, Savory Spice Test Kitchen

This sweet and spicy BBQ sauce is used as a marinade and basting sauce for our Char Siu recipe. Inspired by traditional Cantonese flavors, use this sauce anywhere you'd use barbecue sauce for a Chinese-inspired take on your favorite dishes. Use with any cut of roasted meat, as a tableside condiment for dipping, or stirred into mac 'n cheese or baked beans.

Recipe Notes

*Traditionally, char siu was dyed red with red yeast rice, a fermented rice commonly used both culinarily and medically. Modern char siu often gets its red color from food coloring. We included paprika in our Cantonese BBQ Pork Rub to encourage this red color, but red food coloring will help you achieve that more classic bright red color.

Ingredients

1/3 cup brown sugar, packed


3 Tbsp. honey

1 1/2 Tbsp. soy sauce

1 1/2 Tbsp. dry white wine

1 1/2 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar

3/4 tsp. sesame oil

Red food coloring (optional)*

Savory Spice ingredients in this recipe

  • Cantonese BBQ Pork Rub

    Inspired by the traditional flavors of Cantonese char siu, this Chinese BBQ spice mix is good for so much more than Cantonese BBQ pork. Use as a dr...

    View full details

Directions

Step 1: Combine ingredients

In a small pot, whisk together all ingredients until well-combined.

Step 2: Simmer

Place pot over low heat and simmer until sugar is dissolved and mixture is just beginning to thicken, about 5 min. Remove from heat, transfer to an airtight container, and chill until ready to serve. Will keep in fridge for 4 to 6 weeks.