Delicious Chinese-Inspired Sticky Spare Ribs

Delicious Chinese-Inspired Sticky Spare Ribs

Craving irresistible sticky spare ribs? Discover this easy, Chinese inspired recipe packed with bold flavors and a mouthwatering glaze.

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Delicious Chinese-Inspired Sticky Spare Ribs

If you love rich and tasty comfort food, these Chinese Inspired Sticky Spare Ribs are a perfect choice. They are soft, tender, and coated in a sweet and savory sticky sauce that tastes amazing in every bite.

This recipe is simple to make at home but gives you that restaurant style flavor. The ribs are cooked until juicy and fall off the bone, then covered in a glossy sauce that is full of deep, rich taste.

It’s an easy dish that feels special and is perfect for any dinner or family meal.

Then check out a few other favourite on the blog:

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    • Bold, sticky sweet flavor with savory depth.
    • Oven baked and easy to make at home.
    • Inspired by Caribbean Chinese comfort food.
    • Perfect for lunch, dinner, or entertaining.

    Delicious Chinese-Inspired Sticky Spare Ribs

    Substitutions & Variations 

    • Different cuts of meat: If you don’t have spare ribs, you can also use pork ribs, beef ribs, or even chicken wings. The sauce works well with all of them and still gives that sticky, rich flavor.
    • Sweetness options: Instead of honey, you can use brown sugar, maple syrup, or even regular white sugar. Each one gives a slightly different taste, but all help create that glossy, sticky coating.
    • Flavor adjustments: You can add extra garlic for a stronger taste or reduce it if you prefer something mild. A little ginger or chili can also be added for more warmth and spice.
    • Sauce variations: If you want a deeper Chinese style flavor, you can add a splash of soy sauce or hoisin sauce. For a lighter version, reduce the soy sauce and add a bit of orange juice for a fresh twist.

    Tips / Notes for Best Results

    • Adjust the spice: Love heat? Add extra red pepper flakes or a pinch of chili oil to the sauce.
    • Make them stickier: For an extra glossy, sticky finish, add a little more honey to the pan sauce before broiling.
    • Don’t skip the broil: This step helps caramelize the sauce and gives the ribs that deep, rich color.
    • Watch closely: Broiling happens fast  keep an eye on the ribs to prevent burning.

    Delicious Chinese-Inspired Sticky Spare Ribs

    Storage & Reheating

    • Refrigerator: Store leftover ribs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
    • Freezer: Freeze cooked ribs in a freezer safe container for up to 2 months . Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
    • Reheating: Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or in the air fryer for a quicker option. Add a little extra sauce if needed.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. Can I make these ribs ahead of time?

    Yes! You can marinate the ribs up to 24 hours in advance for deeper flavor.

    2. Can I use spare ribs instead of rib tips?

    Absolutely this recipe works well with spare ribs, baby back ribs, or rib tips.

    3. Do I need dark soy sauce?

    Dark soy sauce adds depth and color, but you can substitute low sodium soy sauce if needed.

    Delicious Chinese-Inspired Sticky Spare Ribs

    By Tiffany Boakye-Korsah
    Prep time: 20 minutes
    Cook time: 1 hour
    Servings: 10-15 pieces

    Ingredients

    FOR CLEANING THE RIBS:

    • - 1/4 cup vinegar
    • - 1/2 lemon Juice

    FOR THE RIBS:

    • - 2 lbs spare rib tips

    FOR MARINATE:

    • - 4 cloves garlic
    • - 2 ½-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and diced
    • - 6 scallions (green onions)
    • - 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • - 2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
    • - 2 tablespoons honey
    • - 1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
    • - 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
    • - 2 teaspoons of five-spice powder
    • - 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
    • - 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon powder
    • - Salt and black pepper, to taste

    SAUCE:

    • - ½ cup pan gravy (drippings from the baking pan)
    • - 1.5 tsp cornstarch
    • - 3 tbsp honey
    • - ½ tsp browning sauce
    • - ¼ tsp salt (or to taste)

    Instructions

    Clean and Prep the Ribs: Rinse the pork rib tips with vinegar, lemon juice, and water to clean and lightly tenderize them. Pat them dry, then season with chicken bouillon, salt, and pepper.

    Make the Marinade: Blend garlic, ginger, scallions, olive oil, soy sauce, honey, rice wine vinegar, brown sugar, five-spice powder, red pepper flakes, and browning sauce until smooth. Coat the ribs well and marinate for at least 1 hour (overnight is best for more flavor).

    Bake Ribs: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Place ribs in a baking dish or on a wire rack, meaty side up. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, flip, then bake another 25–30 minutes until tender and cooked through. Save ½ cup of the pan drippings.

    Make the Pan Sauce: Heat the reserved drippings in a saucepan over medium heat. Add honey, browning sauce, salt, and cornstarch, then whisk and simmer for 1–2 minutes until it thickens.

    Sauce and Broil: Spoon sauce over the ribs evenly. Broil on high for 2–4 minutes until the top is glossy, caramelized, and richly browned.

    Serve: Serve hot with your favorite sides like fried rice, white rice, or roasted vegetables for a full meal

    Notes

    These sticky Ribs are the perfect balance between sweet and savory. They are tender and absolutely delicious!

    NUTRITION FACTS:
    - Calories: ~500 kcal
    - Protein: ~40 g
    - Fat: ~30 g
    - Carbohydrates: ~35 g
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