Sweet Pork Ribs

Serve up these tender and flavorful Sweet Pork Ribs as a main course with steamed rice and your favorite side dishes, and watch as your family and friends gobble them up in seconds! The sauce and ribs are a heavenly combination of sweet and savory flavors!

This dish has roots in Chinese cuisine, where it was traditionally prepared using a combination of soy sauce, sugar, and various seasonings. Over time, it has evolved to include influences from other Asian and Western cuisines, resulting in a delightful fusion of flavors.

At the heart of this savory and sweet concoction are succulent pork ribs. The choice of meat plays a pivotal role in the dish’s final flavor and texture. Tender pork ribs, when prepared correctly, melt in your mouth and provide a perfect canvas for the array of flavors that follow.

Soy sauce, both light and dark, adds depth and complexity to the dish. While light soy sauce enhances the umami flavors, dark soy sauce contributes a rich, caramelized color and a hint of sweetness. These two types of soy sauce work in harmony to create a harmonious balance.

Vinegar provides a subtle tangy note that cuts through the sweetness, preventing the dish from becoming overly saccharine. It adds a delightful zing to each bite.

Ketchup may seem like an unexpected ingredient, but its tomatoey sweetness complements the other flavors beautifully. It adds a layer of complexity and a touch of familiarity that’s comforting and inviting.

Sugar, of course, is responsible for the sweet aspect of Sweet Pork Ribs. The sugar caramelizes during cooking, forming a luscious glaze that coats the ribs, infusing them with sweetness.

Chinese cooking wine, or Shaoxing wine, adds depth and complexity to the sauce. It marries all the flavors together and infuses the dish with a subtle, aromatic note.

While the dish is undeniably delicious on its own, optional garnishes can elevate its visual appeal and flavor profile. Sesame seeds add a delightful crunch, enhancing the texture of each bite. Spring onions bring a burst of freshness and a vibrant splash of green to the plate, balancing the dish’s richness. So let’s get to it!

Watch How To Make It

Print Recipe

Sweet Pork Ribs

Serve up these tender and flavourful Sweet Pork Ribs as a main course with steam rice and your favourite side dishes like stir-fry vegetables. The sauce and ribs are a heavenly combination of sweet and savoury flavours that will be gobbled up by your family and friends in seconds!

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: Asian, Chinese

Keyword: dinner, easy recipe, lunch, quick

Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 600 g pork ribs
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1.5 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
• 1.5 tbsp vinegar
• 1 tbsp ketchup
• 1.5 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp chinese cooking wine
• 1 cup water

Instructions

• Parboil the pork ribs for 5 minutes and set aside.

  Pro Tip: Place the pork ribs in cold water and bring it to a boil on high heat. The key is to start with cold water, so that the scums are not trapped inside. Then get rid of the impurities before you pan fry them.
• Place the pork ribs in the pan on medium-high heat. Saute until they are slightly brown.
• Turn down the heat to medium, add in garlic. Saute for another 1-2 minutes.
• Add in light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, sugar, cooking wine and water. Simmer for 30 minutes.
• After simmering, turn the heat up to high and cook the pork ribs until the sauce reduces, then serve and enjoy!
• Optional step: Garnish with sesame seeds, spring onions for added visual appeal and a burst of freshness.