Chinese Sticky Pork Ribs Recipe: Delicious and Easy to Make

If you're a fan of Chinese cuisine, then you must have heard of the delicious sticky pork ribs recipe. This dish is a favourite among many and is known for its sweet and savoury flavours that are sure to leave your taste buds tingling. The best part about this recipe is that it's easy to make and requires only a few essential ingredients that are readily available in most kitchens.

To make the perfect sticky pork ribs, you'll need meaty pork ribs, sesame oil, soy sauce, brown sugar or honey, tomato sauce or ketchup, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, sambal oelek, garlic, and ginger. The preparation process involves marinating the ribs in a mixture of these ingredients before cooking them in the oven until they become tender and sticky. The result is a succulent and flavourful dish that is sure to impress your family and friends.

If you're looking to switch things up a bit, you can also try adding seafood to this recipe. For instance, you can add prawns or scallops to the marinade to give the dish an extra layer of flavour. The seafood will absorb the flavours of the marinade and complement the pork ribs perfectly. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure that the seafood is cooked to perfection.

Key Takeaways

• The sticky pork ribs recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that requires only a few essential ingredients.
• Seafood can be added to the recipe to give it an extra layer of flavour.
• Adjust the cooking time accordingly when adding seafood to ensure that it's cooked to perfection.

Essential Ingredients

When it comes to making Chinese sticky pork ribs, there are a few essential ingredients that you'll need to have on hand. These include selecting pork ribs, as well as the sauce and marinade components.

Selecting Pork Ribs

When selecting pork ribs for your recipe, it's important to choose meaty ribs that have a good balance of fat and meat. Baby back ribs are a popular choice, but you can also use spare ribs if you prefer. Make sure to remove the membrane from the back of the ribs before cooking to ensure that the meat is tender and juicy.

Sauce and Marinade Components

The sauce and marinade are what give Chinese sticky pork ribs their signature flavour. The key components of the marinade include soy sauce, garlic, ginger, brown sugar or honey, and rice wine or dry sherry. You can also add other ingredients such as hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, chilli, and Chinese five-spice to enhance the flavour.

To make the sauce, you'll need to combine the marinade ingredients with tomato ketchup, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. You can also add sesame seeds for extra flavour and texture.

While seafood is not typically used in Chinese sticky pork ribs, you could experiment with adding prawns or scallops to the recipe for a unique twist. Make sure to cook the seafood separately and add it to the dish just before serving to prevent overcooking.

Preparation Guide

Marinating the Ribs

To prepare the Chinese sticky pork ribs recipe, you need to marinate the ribs first. You can marinate the ribs for at least 2 hours, but it's best to marinate them overnight. This will give the ribs enough time to soak up all the flavours of the marinade.

The marinade for the pork ribs usually consists of soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, garlic, ginger and Chinese five-spice. You can also add some seafood to the marinade, such as shrimp paste or fish sauce, to give it an extra depth of flavour.

Once you have mixed all the marinade ingredients together, you can pour it over the ribs and mix it well. Make sure that all the ribs are coated with the marinade. You can then cover the bowl with cling film and leave it in the fridge to marinate.

Setting Up the Oven

When you're ready to cook the pork ribs, preheat the oven to 150°C. While the oven is heating up, you can prepare the ribs for cooking.

Take the marinated pork ribs out of the fridge and place them in a baking dish. Cover the dish tightly with aluminium foil to keep the moisture in. This will help to keep the ribs tender and juicy.

Once the oven has reached the desired temperature, you can put the baking dish in the oven and let the ribs cook for 2 to 2 1/2 hours. You can also boil the ribs in the marinade for 30 minutes before baking them in the oven. This will help to infuse the ribs with even more flavour.

After the cooking time is up, take the ribs out of the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. You can serve the ribs with some steamed rice and vegetables for a complete meal.

By following these simple steps, you can prepare delicious Chinese sticky pork ribs that are sure to impress your guests.

Cooking Techniques

Baking the Ribs

Baking is a simple and effective way to cook Chinese sticky pork ribs. Preheat your oven to 160°C/140°C fan/gas 3. Place the ribs in a large roasting tin, bone-side up, and cover them with just-boiled water from the kettle. Season well with salt, then place a sheet of baking paper on top of the ribs to keep the meat submerged in the liquid. Cover the tin tightly with foil and bake for 2-2.5 hours, until the meat is tender and almost falling off the bone.

To achieve that perfect tenderness, it's important to bake the ribs at a low temperature for a long time. This allows the meat to cook slowly and become tender. Basting the ribs every 30 minutes with the cooking liquid will help to keep them moist and add extra flavour.

Grilling for Perfection

Grilling is another great way to cook Chinese sticky pork ribs. Preheat your grill to medium heat. Place the ribs on the grill and cook for 10-15 minutes on each side, until they are charred and caramelised.

To achieve that perfect charred flavour, it's important to cook the ribs over a medium heat. Cooking them over high heat will cause them to burn and become tough. Basting the ribs with the cooking liquid every few minutes will help to keep them moist and add extra flavour.

If you want to add some seafood to the recipe, you can try using prawns or scallops. Simply marinate them in the same sauce as the ribs and grill them for a few minutes on each side until they are cooked through. The sweetness of the seafood will complement the sticky sauce perfectly.

Serving Suggestions

Accompaniments

When serving Chinese sticky pork ribs, there are several accompaniments that can complement the dish. Steamed rice is a classic pairing that can absorb the flavorful sauce of the ribs. You can also serve the ribs with noodles, either stir-fried or in soup form, such as ramen. If you prefer a lighter option, a refreshing salad with sliced green onions and coriander can balance the richness of the pork. Fried rice is another popular accompaniment that can be made with leftover rice and vegetables.

Presentation Tips

To make your Chinese sticky pork ribs look as good as they taste, consider some presentation tips. You can garnish the dish with sliced spring onions or coriander to add a pop of color. Serve the ribs on a platter or a wooden board to create a rustic look. You can also arrange the ribs in a circular pattern with a small bowl of sauce in the center for dipping.

If you want to add seafood to the dish, you can try adding prawns or scallops to the sauce. The sweetness of the seafood can complement the savory flavor of the pork. Alternatively, you can serve the ribs with a side of steamed fish or a seafood stir-fry as a main course.

Nutritional Information

If you're looking for a delicious and indulgent meal, then Chinese sticky pork ribs are a great option. However, it's important to be aware of their nutritional information so you can make informed choices about your diet.

One serving of sticky pork ribs (approximately 200g) contains around 500 calories, which is quite high. They also contain a significant amount of fat, with around 30g per serving. However, they are a good source of protein, with around 40g per serving.

In terms of carbohydrates, sticky pork ribs contain a small amount, with around 10g per serving. They also have a low fibre content, with less than 1g per serving. However, they do contain some sugars, with around 8g per serving.

If you're looking to make this dish a bit healthier, you could try using leaner cuts of pork or even substituting some of the pork for seafood. For example, prawns or scallops would work well with the sticky sauce, and would add some valuable nutrients to the dish.

Overall, Chinese sticky pork ribs are a delicious treat, but should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the secret to tender Chinese-style pork ribs?

The secret to tender Chinese-style pork ribs is to marinate them for several hours or overnight before cooking. This allows the flavours to penetrate the meat and tenderize it. You can also try cooking the ribs low and slow in the oven or on the grill to ensure they are cooked evenly and don't dry out.

How can I achieve a sticky glaze on my pork ribs in the oven?

To achieve a sticky glaze on your pork ribs in the oven, you can brush them with a sweet and savoury sauce during the last 10-15 minutes of cooking. This will allow the sauce to caramelize and create a sticky glaze on the ribs. You can also try broiling the ribs for a few minutes after brushing them with the sauce to achieve an extra sticky glaze.

Any tips for marinating pork ribs to enhance their flavour?

To enhance the flavour of your pork ribs, you can marinate them in a mixture of soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, and Chinese five-spice powder. You can also add a splash of rice vinegar or Shaoxing wine to the marinade for some extra tanginess. If you want to add seafood to the marinade, you can try adding some oyster sauce or fish sauce for a savoury umami flavour.

What's the best method for cooking pork ribs in a slow cooker?

The best method for cooking pork ribs in a slow cooker is to first season them with salt and pepper, then place them in the slow cooker with your choice of marinade or sauce. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the meat is tender and falls off the bone. If you want to add seafood to the slow cooker, you can try adding some shrimp or scallops during the last hour of cooking for a delicious surf and turf combination.

How can I make my spare ribs spicy without overpowering the taste?

To make your spare ribs spicy without overpowering the taste, you can add a small amount of chili flakes or hot sauce to your marinade or sauce. You can also try using Sichuan peppercorns or Chinese chili bean paste for a more complex and nuanced heat. If you want to add seafood to the mix, you can try adding some chopped up squid or octopus for a spicy seafood twist.

Why do Chinese spare ribs have that distinctive red colour?

Chinese spare ribs have a distinctive red colour because they are often marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, and Chinese five-spice powder, which contains cinnamon, star anise, cloves, fennel seeds, and Sichuan peppercorns. The combination of these ingredients creates a dark, reddish-brown colour that is characteristic of Chinese-style spare ribs. If you want to add seafood to the mix, you can try adding some dried shrimp or fish sauce for a salty, umami flavour.