Can You Freeze Chinese BBQ Pork? The Delicious Answer is Yes!

Chinese BBQ pork, also known as char siu, is a delicious Cantonese roast pork dish packed with sweet and savory flavors Its bright red, glistening strips of tender pork are iconic in Chinese cuisine While you can easily find it on any Chinatown restaurant menu, making your own char siu at home lets you control the quality of ingredients and flavors.

The great news is that homemade char siu freezes beautifully. Freezing extends its shelf life for up to 3 months, letting you enjoy delicious Chinese BBQ pork anytime Read on to learn why freezing char siu is not only safe, but also keeps its fantastic texture and taste. You’ll also discover tips for freezing char siu properly, thawing it, and using your frozen roast pork in various recipes.

Why Freezing Works Well for Chinese BBQ Pork

Char siu contains high amounts of fat and connective tissue from pork shoulder or neck. This composition is why it stays moist and tender during extended freezing. The fat insulates the meat, preventing it from drying out. Connective tissues also break down into gelatin over long cooking times, keeping char siu succulent.

Its sticky marinade further protects char siu during freezing Salt lowers the pork’s freezing point, allowing it to remain soft. Sugar acts as a cryoprotectant, limiting ice crystal formation Soy sauce, hoisin, honey, and rice wine impart flavor but also contain compounds that inhibit toughness.

Finally, char siu’s cooking method enables excellent freezing results. Prolonged roasting at a low temperature pre-softens the meat fibers. brief searing at high heat develops a flavorful exterior crust. This combination means fully cooked char siu resists toughening during freezing.

How to Freeze Chinese Barbecued Pork

Follow these simple steps for properly freezing your homemade char siu:

1. Allow the cooked char siu to cool completely before freezing. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours until the internal temperature drops below 40°F. This prevents bacteria growth.

2. Cut the pork into your desired portion sizes. Whole roast pork takes longer to thaw and you may end up wasting some. Slices, cubes, and strips thaw quicker.

3. Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap, eliminating air pockets. Air causes freezer burn.

4. Place the wrapped pork pieces into resealable freezer bags. Squeeze out excess air before sealing.

5. Label the bags with the contents and freeze-by date. Char siu keeps for 2-3 months in the freezer.

6. Lay bags flat in the freezer so portions freeze evenly in thin layers. Uneven freezing leads to texture changes.

7. Once solidly frozen, bags can be stacked or stood upright. This maximizes freezer space.

Thawing Frozen Char Siu

Proper thawing preserves char siu’s quality and safety. There are several methods:

• Refrigerator Thawing: Place frozen char siu in the refrigerator. Let it thaw slowly over 24-48 hours. Keep it contained to prevent raw pork juice from dripping on other foods.

• Cold Water Thawing: Seal the frozen pork in a watertight bag. Submerge in cold tap water, changing the water every 30 minutes. Thawing takes 2-3 hours.

• Microwave Thawing: Microwave frozen char siu at 30% power in short intervals, flipping periodically. Check often to prevent cooking.

• Cook-Thawing: You can skip thawing entirely! Cook frozen char siu in soups, stir-fries, fried rice, etc. Just extend the cooking time as needed.

Once thawed, use char siu within 3-5 days. Do not refreeze thawed pork. Re-freezing damages the meat’s structure.

Delicious Ways to Use Frozen Chinese BBQ Pork

Now for the best part – enjoying your defrosted char siu! Here are some incredible recipes that utilize thawed, homemade Chinese roast pork:

• Char Siu Bao: The classic Chinese BBQ pork bun! Steamed, fluffy dough stuffed with savory-sweet char siu.

• Char Siu Fried Rice: Diced roast pork adds flavorful bits to this quick, weeknight rice dish.

• Char Siu Ramen: Float succulent slices of char siu in a steamy bowl of homemade ramen.

• Char Siu Noodle Soup: Udon or rice noodles, shredded vegetables and char siu slices in an umami broth.

• Char Siu Salad: Chilled lettuce, vegetables, noodles or rice and shredded roast pork. Toss with a tangy dressing.

• Char Siu Omelette: Diced char siu and scallions folded into fluffy egg. Great for breakfast or lunch.

• Char Siu Stir Fry: Quick-cooking stir fry with char siu cubes, vegetables and sauce. Serve over rice.

As you can see, freezing char siu lets you enjoy its distinctive flavors anytime for various recipes. Follow proper methods and you’ll have delicious Chinese BBQ pork for months. So next time you make this roast pork specialty, go ahead and double the batch to freeze half. You’ll be glad later when craving a homemade char siu dish!