Sweet and sour spare ribs come out juicy and tender in this easy recipe.
Oven-baked spare ribs are drenched in a thick and sticky glaze made with pineapple, brown sugar, vinegar, and ketchup.
Make These Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs at Home
- These sweet and sour ribs have a sweet and sour, finger-lickin’ sauce.
- Smaller sweet and sour ribs are cooked in the oven, but have the same flavor as if they were cooked low-and-slow on the grill.
- Keep sweet and sour spare ribs warm in a crockpot for game day and movie night.
- Make extra sauce (or use leftover sauce) for dipping chicken nuggets, glazing Brussels sprouts, or a drizzle over grilled vegetables or pineapple sausage kabobs.
Ingredients and Variations
- Ribs: Spare ribs (AKA side ribs) come from the bottom portion of a pig. They are extra meaty with lots of fat and a superior flavor. Country-style ribs can also be used.
- Sweet and Sour Sauce: The sweet and sour sauce coats the ribs and infuses them with authentic Chinese restaurant-style flavor. The acid in the pineapple serves as a tenderizer for fall-off-the-bone meat in every bite. Brown sugar can be swapped out for maple syrup or honey. Barbecue sauce can be used instead of ketchup for a deeper, smoky flavor.
- Variations: A splash of Tabasco, sriracha, or hoisin sauce will add new dimensions of flavor to the sweet and sour sauce.
How to Make Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs
- Prep spare ribs (full recipe below).
- Cover with foil and bake.
- Combine sauce ingredients in a saucepan and cook.
- Brush sauce over the ribs and bake uncovered.
Instant Pot Sweet & Sour Ribs
- Place a trivet on the bottom of an Instant Pot with one cup of water.
- Stack ribs in the Instant Pot, seal, and cook on HIGH pressure for 40 minutes.
- Allow for a natural release, remove ribs, and place them on a baking sheet in a single layer.
- Brush ribs with sweet and sour sauce and broil in the oven until the sauce is caramelized.
- Flip the ribs over, brush with sauce, and broil again.
Leftovers Guide: Storing & Reheating
Store sweet and sour sauce in a jar or a covered container in the refrigerator for up to a week. The sauce can also be frozen in ice cube trays and added to stir-fries, rice, or mixed with sour cream for a tasty dip with fresh veggies.
Leftover sweet and sour ribs can be kept in the refrigerator in a zippered bag or covered container for up to a week. Enjoy them cold or reheat them in the microwave.
What to Serve With Sweet u0026 Sour Spare Ribs
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Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 pounds spareribs
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Sweet and Sour Sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar packed
- 2-3 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ cup white wine vinegar
- ½ cup ketchup
- 10 ounces crushed pineapple 1 can
- 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325˚F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Remove silverskin from ribs, dry with a paper towel, and cut into 2-3 rib sections. Add to the baking tray and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Cover tightly with foil and bake for one hour, or until almost tender. Drain.
- Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, combine all sweet and sour ingredients and cook over medium heat until thickened.
- After one hour of baking, increase the oven temperature to 350˚F. Brush the entire sweet and sour sauce over the spareribs. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until completely tender, basting every 10 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.
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Great Candace’s husband
So glad you love these ribs Paul!