Homemade Macau-Style Pork Jerky (Bakkwa)
Create irresistible Macau-style pork jerky at home with this sweet and savory recipe. Featuring a coarse texture, caramelized honey glaze, and toasted sesame seeds.
Bakkwa, or Chinese sweet meat jerky, is a beloved delicacy, especially popular during Lunar New Year. This Macau-style version is made from scratch using fresh pork hind leg, expertly seasoned with a blend of soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, and honey. The signature charred edges and glossy sheen are achieved through a carefully monitored two-step baking and glazing process that locks in moisture and flavor.
Ingredients
- 500 g pork hind leg meat
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp cooking wine
- 2 tbsp honey
- to taste chili powder
- 2 tbsp honey and water mixture
- 1 tbsp white sesame seeds
Instructions
- 1Prepare the Pork
Take fresh pork hind leg meat and carefully cut it into smaller, manageable pieces to prepare it for processing. This ensures the meat grinds evenly and maintains a good texture.
Tip: Keep the meat cold before cutting to make it easier to slice cleanly. - 2Grind the Pork
Place the pork pieces into a food processor and pulse a few times. It is important to keep the texture coarse rather than turning it into a fine paste for a better mouthfeel.
Tip: Use short pulses to control the coarseness of the grind. - 3Season the Meat
Combine the ground meat in a bowl with minced garlic, soy sauce, sugar, fish sauce, oyster sauce, cooking wine, honey, and chili powder. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined.
Tip: Ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed so every bite is flavorful. - 4Glaze the Jerky
After the first bake, prepare a mixture of honey and water. Brush this glaze evenly over both sides of the pork jerky slices to add sweetness and a beautiful sheen.
Tip: Brushing while warm helps the glaze absorb into the jerky. - 5Add Sesame Seeds
While the glaze is still tacky, sprinkle white sesame seeds generously over the pork jerky slices. Return to the oven for the final bake to finish the cooking process.
Tip: Sprinkle the seeds evenly to ensure they stick well during the final bake.
