Homemade Chinese Barbecue Pork During The Week!
Hello friends!
Are you on the lookout for some simple recipes that aren’t your typical one-pot meals? Because I’ve got you covered with this week’s review!
Okay–Okay, I know I’m getting too excited, but this one is too good not to share with you all.
When I’m looking for recipes to review, I also have to keep my schedule in mind. Not every week do I have time for “extravagant” recipes that require hours of prep and cook time. We have to be realistic. Maybe you’re busy with kids? Maybe you have a very full workload and the last thing you’re looking to do is to stand in the kitchen for hours making something that your family will inhale in minutes.
During the week, what I want the most is to be able to get a home cooked meal on the table quickly without having to sacrifice flavor or nutrition.
Okay, you ready? This week we’re reviewing a recipe for Easy Sweet Braised Chinese Barbecue Pork
This week’s review is by Sauced Up! Foods, and you can find the recipe right -> here!
Marinading The Barbecue Pork
“Um, Grey? The recipe card literally says to marinade the for 2 hours to overnight. How is this easy and quick?”
Aha–you caught that, huh? Okay, let’s talk about that. A few years ago, I actually made a few Chinese dinner dishes for Easter. One of them was actually Chinese Barbecue Pork, or “Char Siu”. I followed the instructions exactly as they were given. I allowed the pork to marinade for the entire requested time.
Was it delicious? 100%.
Did I follow instructions for this week’s recipe? Mostly, except for that fact that I was in a hurry with getting food on the table and allowed the pork tenderloin to marinade for about 30 minutes–the time I used to clean up and prepare the remaining sides. Then, I simply baked and basted the pork per the recipe instructions.
Did it turn out good for only being marinaded for 30 minutes? YUP. That’s when I had a lightbulb moment–“Oh my god–I’ve reviewed this before, but this…this means that you can make delicious Chinese Barbecue Pork during the week!” Honestly, I was shocked.
So this is my honest (as always) review, if you want to enjoy the flavors of Chinese Barbecue without having to wake up early or prepare the night before–it’s okay, it will turn out delicious even if you only have 30 minutes to marinade the pork.
Keeping This Gluten-Free?
Simply make sure you’re using gluten-free soy sauce and hoisin sauce ;). Super simple this week!
Baking The Marinaded Barbecue Pork
While the marinading time can be altered, I would keep a very close eye on the baking time for your pork. You definitely don’t want it to be dry, but also not necessarily pink. The bake begins at 475 F and then is reduced for the remaining time. That was my only question about the recipe card. I treat my reviews that way that any regular person would.
We all “skip to recipe” right? Now, it doesn’t upset me when people write really long passages before sharing the actual recipe card. If this irks you–keep in mind that many of these food bloggers have to do that especially when working with brands on collaborations or sponsored posts. Lucky for us, there’s usually an option to skip to the bottom. 😉
Because many people do that, I assume that the full instructions for the recipe would be included on the recipe card.
This is where this recipe falls slightly short. The baking instructions include baking the pork at 475 F for 10 minutes, then reducing the temperature for 30 minutes. But…to what temperature? And how?
I did scroll up to see that the temperature is to be reduced to 350 F.
When I have to reduce temperatures, I usually adjust this on my oven and leave the oven door slightly open to quickly get the temperature to reduce. Ideally, just keep an eye on your pork and keep that meat thermometer handy!
Grey’s Grade – 4.5/5
This recipe for Sweet Braised Chinese Barbecue Pork was absolutely delightful because it was easy to make and it allowed me to have dinner ready quickly on a weekday. Sometimes it’s worth giving recipes a try to see if you can modify them to your lifestyle. In this case, we were able to modify the total required marinading time in order to have a delicious result. So, if you only have 30 minutes to marinade–you’re in luck.
The only reason I deducted a half point this week for this recipe is due to the recipe card not including all the instructions. Sure, the required temperature was included above the recipe card, but you have to assume that the typical person won’t be spending time to ready the entire post from start to finish.
It’s unfortunate, but it happens. So, if your recipe card is missing information was was provided elsewhere on the post, you may end up with more negative reviews that aren’t deserved. The recipe itself is awesome, so if you’re making this, just keep an eye out on the temperature reduction. You’ll be reducing it to 350 F ;).
Overall, I would highly recommend making this recipe. It’s anything but boring and your weeknight dinner will be feeling restaurant-quality in no time!
What are some of your favorite go-to weeknight meals?
Let me know in the comments below!
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