Chinese BBQ Ribs Recipe: So Easy, Even a Beginner Can Do It

pork ribs

🥗Healthier: chicken thighs

💰Cheaper: pork shoulder

Chicken thighs are lower in fat, while pork shoulder is more budget-friendly.

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🥗Healthier: maple syrup

💰Cheaper: corn syrup

Maple syrup offers a natural sweetness, while corn syrup is often cheaper.

Line a 13” x 18” rimmed baking sheet with foil and place a cooking wire rack inside; set aside. Lay your rack of pork ribs on a flat surface. Remove the thin membrane from the back of the ribs by sliding a butter knife under the membrane and then grabbing the membrane with a paper towel and pulling it off. If you can’t remove it in one pull, break it off into sections. Place the pork ribs on the prepared rack.

Prepare the Asian Style dry rub by mixing together all the dry rub ingredients in a small bowl. Rub the dry rub all over the ribs, making sure to cover them thoroughly. Let the ribs rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 24 hours (overnight is ideal) to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat. When you're ready to cook, preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Once preheated, transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 1 hour.

After 1 hour, remove the sheet pan from the oven, turn the ribs to the other side, transfer the baking sheet back to the oven, and bake for an additional 30 minutes. While the ribs are cooking, prepare the Chinese BBQ sauce. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine all the sauce ingredients and stir constantly until the sugar has dissolved. Let the sauce simmer until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool for 10 minutes. If the sauce is too thick, add 1 tablespoon of water at a time until you reach the desired consistency. Once the ribs are cooked, remove them from the oven and turn the oven broiler on. Using a pastry brush, generously brush the Asian BBQ sauce all over the underside of the meat, making sure to coat it completely.

Place the ribs under the broiler for about 5 minutes or until the sauce begins to caramelize and the edges of the ribs start to char. Keep an eye on the ribs as they broil, making sure they don't burn. Remove them from the oven, flip them over, and brush the top side, and brush the meat side up with the sauce, making sure to cover them completely. Place the ribs back under the broiler for another 5 minutes or until charred in spots. Once the ribs are done, remove them from the oven and let them rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens