Elevate your dinner game with this show-stopping Char Siu Rack of Lamb, a fusion of tender lamb and bold Cantonese flavors. This recipe takes succulent racks of lamb and coats them in a rich and aromatic Char Siu marinade made with hoisin sauce, honey, soy sauce, Chinese five-spice powder, and a touch of Shaoxing wine. After an overnight soak, the lamb is seared to perfection, roasted to a juicy medium-rare, and finished with a luscious glaze for an irresistible caramelized finish. With its perfect balance of sweetness, umami, and spice, this dish is ideal for impressing at dinner parties or indulging in a gourmet meal at home. Serve these char-grilled beauties with steamed rice, stir-fried greens, or a side of roasted vegetables for a complete, flavor-packed dining experience.
Trim any excess fat from the rack of lamb and season both sides with salt and black pepper. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, Chinese five-spice powder, rice vinegar, Shaoxing wine, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red food coloring (if using). This will form the Char Siu marinade.
Place the racks of lamb in a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the lamb, ensuring it is evenly coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top.
Remove the lamb from the marinade and let any excess marinade drip off. Reserve the leftover marinade to use as a glaze later.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the lamb racks for 1-2 minutes on each side until they develop a nice crust.
Transfer the seared lamb racks to the wire rack on the baking sheet, bone-side down. Brush them generously with the reserved marinade.
Roast the lamb in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes for medium-rare, or adjust the cooking time as needed for your desired level of doneness. Use a meat thermometer to check; medium-rare is about 130°F (54°C).
While the lamb is roasting, pour the remaining marinade into a small saucepan. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 3-5 minutes until it thickens into a glaze.
Remove the lamb from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. Brush it with the thickened glaze just before slicing.
Slice the racks into individual lamb chops and serve immediately. Garnish with fresh herbs or sesame seeds, if desired.
Calories |
5088 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 393.5 g | 504% | |
| Saturated Fat | 175.1 g | 875% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 9.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1478 mg | 493% | |
| Sodium | 5708 mg | 248% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 70.7 g | 26% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.2 g | 11% | |
| Total Sugars | 52.3 g | ||
| Protein | 303.5 g | 607% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 71 mg | 5% | |
| Iron | 30.1 mg | 167% | |
| Potassium | 4440 mg | 94% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.