I’m always looking for new recipes and methods of cooking protein. A big fan of Asian cuisine, I knew I had to make this Chinese BBQ Pork recipe. This tasty dish, which is also called Char Siu, has amazing sweet and savory notes that are unlike any other BBQ food you’ve tried. The meat is tender and perfect with any side dish.
Yangtze BBQ pork is a beloved Chinese dish that features succulent, spice-rubbed pork paired with a sweet and tangy sauce. When freshly made, the pork is fall-off-the-bone tender and bursting with flavor. But like any leftover, reheating Yangtze BBQ pork presents some challenges. With the wrong technique, you risk overdrying the meat or losing that signature sticky-sweet glaze.
Luckily, I’m here to walk you through several foolproof methods for reheating Yangtze BBQ pork. Follow my tips below, and you’ll be enjoying moist, flavorful pork just like it was straight from the smoker. Let’s get started!
Why Bother Reheating Yangtze BBQ Pork?
Before we dive into the how-to, let’s look at why it’s worth the effort to reheat Yangtze BBQ pork in the first place. Here are some of the biggest benefits
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Convenience – Making Yangtze BBQ pork from scratch is time and labor intensive. Reheating leftovers saves you the hassle.
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Cost savings – You already paid for that precious pork, so make the most of it! Reheating reduces food waste.
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Familiar flavors – Craving the sweet and spicy glaze but don’t want the work? Reheat for instant satisfaction
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Flexible portions – Got an odd amount of leftovers? Reheat just what you need for the perfect single serving.
With a bit of care, reheated Yangtze BBQ pork can deliver all the same flavors you crave with far less effort. Now let’s look at the best practices.
Oven Reheating Method
One of my favorite ways to reheat Yangtze BBQ pork is in the oven This allows you to heat the meat evenly without drying it out Here is my simple process
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Preheat oven to 300°F.
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Place pork in an oven-safe dish in a single layer.
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Add a splash of water or leftover sauce to prevent drying out.
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Loosely cover dish with foil.
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Heat for 15-20 minutes until warmed through.
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Rest pork for 5 minutes before serving.
The ambient heat from the oven surrounds the pork to bring it up to temperature. Foil keeps moisture in. And a quick rest ensures the meat stays juicy.
Stovetop Skillet Method
For smaller portions, try reheating your Yangtze BBQ pork in a skillet on the stovetop. Here’s how:
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Heat a drizzle of oil in a skillet over medium heat.
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Add pork and a splash of sauce.
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Toss frequently with tongs or a spoon until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.
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Add vegetables, rice or extra sauce to serve.
I like using this method for quick weeknight meals. The key is keeping the pork moving so it doesn’t scorch. Serve over rice for a fast and delicious dinner.
Slow Cooker Method
For party-sized portions, the slow cooker is your best bet for evenly reheated Yangtze BBQ pork. Simply:
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Place pork in slow cooker and add sauce.
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Cook on Low setting for 2-3 hours.
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Use two forks to shred pork.
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Let sit on Warm setting until ready to serve.
The condensation in the slow cooker keeps the pork incredibly moist. Shredding it gives you juicy pulled pork perfect for sandwiches or tacos.
Microwave Method
If you’re in a time crunch, the microwave can work in a pinch. Follow these steps:
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Place pork in a microwave-safe dish. Add sauce.
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Microwave in 30 second bursts until heated through.
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Allow to rest 2 minutes before serving.
Be careful not to over microwave, which can dry out the pork. Opt for shorter cooking times and let the pork rest to allow heat to fully distribute.
Grilling Method
For added flavor, try reheating your pork on the grill! Follow this process:
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Oil the grill grates and preheat.
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Place pork over indirect heat, away from the flames.
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Brush with sauce glaze and grill 5-10 minutes, flipping occasionally.
The grill imparts a lovely smoky flavor while the indirect heat prevents charring. Just take care not to overcook.
Maintaining Moisture and Flavor
No matter which reheating method you choose, there are some useful tips to maintain optimal texture and taste:
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Defrost frozen pork thoroughly before reheating.
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Wrap pork in foil or parchment paper to seal in moisture.
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Add reserved sauce or broth to introduce flavor and moisture.
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Reheat at lower temperatures for a longer time.
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Allow pork to rest before serving so juices redistribute.
Follow these guidelines, and your reheated Yangtze BBQ pork will taste just-prepared.
Serving Suggestions
Once your Yangtze BBQ pork is perfectly reheated, try serving it in some mouthwatering ways. Here are just a few ideas:
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Pile high on steamed buns for Pork Bao.
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Toss with udon noodles & veggies for a quick stir fry.
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Layer on fried rice or cauliflower rice.
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Stuff into lettuce cups or taco shells.
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Slather on sandwiches or wraps.
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Top salads, nachos or baked potatoes.
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Pair with pineapple chunks for a tangy contrast.
The sweet and savory pork plays well with so many flavors and textures. Get creative!
Troubleshooting Reheating Pitfalls
Understandably, reheating Yangtze BBQ pork can present some challenges. Check out these common issues and fixes:
Pork is dry and chewy: Don’t overcook and allow pork to rest before cutting to redistribute juices.
Pork lacks flavor: Add extra sauce, vinegar, hoisin or spices to boost the taste.
Glaze is goopy: Add a touch of broth or water to thin out the glaze.
Pork is unevenly heated: Cut pork into smaller, evenly-sized pieces before reheating.
With a few simple adjustments, you can easily achieve restaurant-quality results when reheating your Yangtze BBQ pork at home.
Enjoy Restaurant Flavor at Home
Yangtze BBQ pork is truly a treat, with its decadent sweet and spicy glaze coating tender, succulent pork. While takeout is always an option, reheating leftover pork yourself allows you to enjoy those same flavors in the comfort of your home.
Now that you’re armed with these simple yet effective reheating methods, you can rejuvenate leftover pork with ease. Just follow the guidance for your preferred heating technique. Add a flavorful sauce glaze, let the pork rest, and serve it up in creative ways.
I hope these tips help you fall in love with Yangtze BBQ pork all over again. Trust me, once you realize how easy it is to reheat, you’ll be doubling up on takeout portions! Now who’s hungry for some sweet and spicy pork?
Step 1: Start with the marinade.
You can’t just throw Chinese BBQ pork on the grill at the last minute and expect it to taste great. It is a waiting game, one that needs time and patience.
For the protein, I went with a boneless pork shoulder roast. It’s tender and fatty giving it a lot more flavor than a pork loin or tenderloin. But any of the cuts will do. It’s just a matter of preference.
Start with slicing the shoulder into long thick strips. This will let the marinade get into more of the meat, giving the whole cut a well-rounded flavor.
For the marinade, in a mixing bowl add Chinese five spice, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, aji mirin, honey, brown sugar, sea salt and red food dye. Mix the ingredients together and pour 3/4 of the marinade over the pork strips. Make sure to coat all around not leaving an inch dry. Place in the fridge and let if soak up all those wonderful asian flavors for 24 hours.
For the left over 1/4 marinade, mix in some honey and maltose and place it in the fridge. I will be honest, maltose is probably one of the most hard ingredient I have ever worked with. It’s very thick and sticky, but worth it once you taste the final product.
Must have grillin seasonings!