These baked Honey Garlic Spare Ribs are known as “Dry Garlic Ribs” on Canadian Chinese restaurant menus. The recipe involves succulent pork spare ribs in a Chinese style sticky honey garlic sauce.
What are Honey Garlic Spare Ribs (a.k.a. “Dry Garlic Ribs”)? Here’s Why You’ll Love Them:
Honey Garlic Spare Ribs, also known as Dry Garlic Ribs (“dry” because they aren’t very saucy) ,are a delectable Chinese Canadian restaurant specialty with tender pork ribs coated in a garlicky, sweet, and savory sauce (similar to my teriyaki sauce recipe) then baked to sticky perfection.
This is my mama’s recipe.
Ingredients for Honey Garlic Spare Ribs
This recipe brings together some fantastic elements to create a lip-smacking, finger-licking delight. Let’s check out the main actors:
- Pork ribs: Try my baked spare ribs recipe with quick bbq sauce, too.
- Onion: Gives a subtle sweetness and depth to the dish.
- Salt & pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance the flavors.
- Soy sauce: Gives the dish its rich, savory, umami flavor.
- Honey and Brown sugar: Balances the saltiness with a touch of sweetness and helps create that sticky glaze.
- Garlic: Brings a punch of flavor and aroma to the dish.
- Cornstarch: Helps thicken the sauce to make it perfectly sticky.
How to Make Honey Garlic Spare Ribs: Easy Step-by-Step Directions
Here’s your roadmap to make these delicious dry garlic ribs taste as yummy as any Chinese Canadian restaurant:
- Simmer the ribs: This step tenderizes the meat, ensuring it’s juicy and falls right off the bone.
- Preheat the oven: An essential step to ensure proper cooking of the ribs.
- Whisk the sauce: Combines the flavors that will define your dish.
- Prepare the ribs: This is where you cut the ribs into portions and prepare them for baking.
- Baste and bake: This process gives your ribs that glazed, caramelized finish.
Grab these Tools
Before you get cooking, ensure you have these kitchen tools on hand:
- Large stockpot: Essential for simmering the ribs and making them tender.
- Whisk: To combine the sauce ingredients smoothly.
- Tongs: A safe and effective way to handle the cooked ribs.
- Foil-lined baking sheet: Ideal for baking the ribs and making cleanup easier.
How to Serve Dry Garlic Ribs: Choose the Perfect Side Dishes
The best meals are all about balance. Choose sides that will contrast and complement your rich main dish.
Stir-fried Bok Choy: Keep things light and green with stir-fried bok choy. Toss it in my easy 3-Ingredient Stir Fry Sauce.
Green Salad: A crisp green salad with Creamy Asian Dressing would be the perfect crunchy, refreshing side.
Steamed or microwave white rice: To soak up any extra sauce.
Make Ahead and Storage Tips
You can simmer the ribs a day in advance, keep them refrigerated, and bake them when needed.
After cooking, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat them in the oven or microwave until heated through.
Variations and Substitutions
For a different flavor profile, try swapping out the brown sugar or honey or maple syrup.
Expert Tips and Tricks
The key to perfect Sticky Dry Garlic Ribs is patience. Allow the ribs to simmer fully to become tender and let them bake until the sauce caramelizes for that beautiful sticky glaze. Finally, remember to baste the ribs multiple times during baking to ensure an even coating of the delicious sauce.
If you love Asian takeout-inspired recipes, you must also try:
Pad Woon Sen: A delicious Thai stir-fried noodle dish with vegetables and your choice of protein.
Gochujang Chicken: Flavorful Korean-inspired chicken dish featuring the spicy and savory gochujang sauce.
Hunan Shrimp: A tasty Chinese shrimp recipe with a spicy, garlicky sauce that’s done in under 30 minutes.
Thai Basil Pork: A classic Thai dish featuring ground pork, fresh basil, and a savory sauce.
Chili Oil Ramen: A comforting and flavorful ramen recipe with a rich and spicy homemade chili oil.
Orange Chicken: A popular Chinese-American dish featuring crispy chicken in a tangy and sweet orange sauce.
Honey Garlic Chicken: An easy and delicious chicken recipe with a sticky honey garlic sauce.
Honey Garlic Spare Ribs (a.k.a. “Dry Garlic Ribs”)
Ingredients
- 2 racks pork ribs about 3 1/2 lbs total
- 1 medium onion
- salt & pepper
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
Instructions
- Place ribs in a large stockpot; fill pot with water until ribs are covered. Add onion, a couple of generous pinches of salt, and a few grinds of pepper. Bring ribs to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer 2 hours, or until ribs are very tender.
- Preheat oven to 300ºF. Whisk together soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, garlic and cornstarch.
- Using tongs, carefully remove ribs from water (discard cooking liquid). Cut into individual portions (about 4 ribs per person) and place ribs, meaty side up, on a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Brush with 1/3 of the sauce and bake 45 minutes, basting twice more with sauce (after 15 and 30 minutes).
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Very yummy. Thanks!
Hi, this looks so good. I noticed in the instructions it says to brush with 1/3 of the sauce. Why only 1/3? What about the rest of the sauce? Thanks in advance
You brush with 1/3 of the sauce two more times.
Hi, I can’t wait to try this recipe. I am not sure what type of pork ribs to buy. Should I buy pork baby ribs or side ribs? Thank you!
Amazing!!! Taste great and were so tender. Literally fell off the bone!! ๐๐ Made with a rice recipe from Martha Stewart. Whole family loved it.