Steamed spare ribs with black beans is a popular choice of Chinese cuisine and is so effortless to make! This dish embodies the essence of Chinese cuisine, blending the richness of spare ribs with the unique aroma of fermented black beans, which makes it a comforting and satisfying dish for the whole family!
Choosing quality ribs is essential, as it directly impacts the texture and flavor of the final dish. For the best results, have your butcher cut the ribs into smaller, more manageable pieces. This not only accelerates the cooking process but also makes it easier to savor the succulent meat.
The star of this dish is the fermented black beans. It adds a delightful an earthy, umami-rich dimension to this dish. Garlic and ginger give a subtle kick, while soy sauce, oyster sauce and Shaoxing wine contribute to a rich umami flavor profile. A touch of sugar balances out the taste, while cornstarch acts as a thickening agent, creating a glossy and luscious sauce.
The cooking method used in this recipe is steaming, which allows the spare ribs to cook evenly and preserves their natural juiciness and tenderness. The steaming process ensures that the flavors meld together, resulting in a dish that is both flavorful and healthy.
The resulting steamed spare ribs with black beans offers a tantalizing combination of tender meat, bold flavors and a delightful sauce that clings to each rib. This dish is often garnished with chopped green onions, adding a fresh and vibrant touch, and is usually served as a main course, accompanied by steamed jasmine rice to soak up the amazing sauce. We can never get enough of these tender ribs and delicious sauce, and the sheer ease of steaming means that you can cook other dishes or do other things while it steams! So let’s get to it!
Watch How To Make It
Steamed Spare Ribs with Black Beans
Ingredients
- 600 g spare ribs
- 1 tbsp dried fermented black beans
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1/2 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 1 tsp garlic
- 1 tsp ginger
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- red chilli
- vegetable oil
- 2 green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the spare ribs by rinsing them under cold water and patting them dry with paper towels.Pro Tip: Get the butcher to cut the spare ribs into smaller pieces, so it cooks faster and is easier to eat. Pat them dry with paper towels to absorb surface moisture so they can better absorb the marinate.
- In a mixing bowl, add the spare ribs, minced dried fermented black beans, oyster sauce, cornstarch, light soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, minced garlic, minced ginger, sugar, sesame oil and salt. Mix well.
- Place the marinated spare ribs on a plate, spreading them out evenly. Add some chilli and drizzle vegetable oil to give our ribs a nice and shiny shimmer when we’re done.
- Place the dish in the pan with a steamer rack. Cover with a lid and steam for about 25-30 minutes on high heat or until the spare ribs are tender and cooked through.Pro Tip: Add boiling water into the steamer, and set it on high so that the steam stays strong. Add enough boiling water to cover the rack so that more steam comes off.
- Once the spare ribs are cooked, garnish with chopped green onions and serve!