Oven-Baked Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs

Name: Oven-Baked Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 90 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: pork spareribs — 1,8 kg; salt and ground black pepper by taste; cornstarch — 1/2 tsp; soy sauce — 60 ml; honey — 60 g; apple vinegar — 1 tbsp

90 minutes

Medium

These absolutely delicious, tender ribs are coated in a luscious sweet and savory soy-honey glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven, without any need for pre-marinating or boiling. That's right, these pork ribs are remarkably simple to prepare!

Even better, the versatile glaze can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to two weeks, making it your secret weapon for not just ribs, but also roasted whole duck or a succulent beef roast.

Main Courses American cuisine

21.05.2025

Ingredients for 6 servings:

Base

Glaze

cornstarch
1/2 tsp
soy sauce
60 ml
honey
60 g
apple vinegar
1 tbsp

Recipe:

Ingredient Notes:

Pork Ribs: This recipe calls for spareribs. Look for meaty ones with good marbling. For the best, juiciest results, always opt for chilled ribs over defrosted, as they retain more moisture during baking.
Soy Sauce: Stick with regular soy sauce that has a standard salt content. Avoid dark soy sauce, which is typically thicker and saltier, and can drastically alter the glaze’s color and flavor.
Starch: Cornstarch is highly recommended here, as it yields a clear, glossy glaze. If you need to substitute, potato starch will work, but note that it can make the glaze appear cloudier. If using potato starch, use half the amount specified for cornstarch.
Honey: Choose a mild-flavored honey, such as clover, linden, or a mixed floral variety. Stronger, more distinctive honeys like buckwheat or chestnut can overpower the other flavors in the glaze and are better suited for other dishes.
Vinegar: Almost any vinegar will work, except for distilled white vinegar. Apple cider vinegar, rice vinegar, or white/red wine vinegar are all excellent choices.

Let’s start cooking.

Cut the ribs into sections of 2-3 bones. Season generously with salt and pepper, then arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet.

Place the ribs in an oven preheated to 180ºC (355ºF). Bake until tender, which should take approximately one hour (baking time can vary based on your oven and the thickness of the ribs).

To make the glaze, combine all the glaze ingredients in a saucepan. Heat on the stove over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens, about 2-3 minutes.

During the final 15 minutes of baking, begin the glazing process. Brush the ribs generously with the prepared glaze, then return them to the oven.

Repeat this step three more times, allowing about 5 minutes between each application to build a rich, caramelized coating.

Serve the ribs immediately with fresh vegetables or your favorite side dish.

Enjoy!

This Oven-Baked Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs recipe was checked, prepared and approved by Chef Tatyana Nazaruk - author of FlavorIt.com.
Would you like to thank me? It's easy!