Delicious, fall-off-the-bone tender, and finger-licking good Chinese BBQ ribs are the way to shake things up for the holidays and other special occasions. Plus, they make delightful leftovers if you’re lucky enough to have any left! {Gluten-Free Adaptable} Whenever I talk to anybody about Chinese food, by far, the most adored option seems to be Char siu pork, or Chinese BBQ pork. Everyone loves this dim sum classic with tender meat coated in a sweet savory sticky glaze. This recipe was inspired by the dim sum classic char siu pork. The main difference is that we’ll be using pork ribs instead of pork loin and a honey BBQ sauce which creates a much more festive appearance. You’ll love Chinese BBQ ribs for an appetizer treat or a centerpiece during the holidays!
Why this recipe
If you’ve tried my char siu pork recipe, you’ll find the difference between that and my Chinese BBQ ribs is that ribs don’t require maltose, which is a specialty ingredient commonly used to give char siu pork that sticky glaze everyone loves. Because I used a different roasting method, you can use honey instead of maltose. Yet, you’ll still get a wonderful glossy glaze that you’ll love licking off your fingers. It’s so good! Frankly, I love the Chinese BBQ ribs even more than regular char siu pork, because the ribs have a good amount of marbling that results in an extra moist and tender result. The meat that’s closer to the bones is also tastier. Once I’m done roasting, I literally cannot cut the meat without it falling apart, because it’s SO TENDER. While the slow roasting process does take some time, the recipe itself is super easy to put together. You’ll be able to bring your favorite Chinese restaurant dish of Chinese BBQ ribs to your home, and it’ll taste even better than takeout.
Ingredients
All you need is a rack of ribs, a spice mix and a BBQ sauce. For the ribs, I used St Luis ribs, but baby back ribs and spare ribs should work as well. When you’re shopping for the cut, try to find a piece that is well marbled with an evenly distributed meat layer that is not too thin or too thick. This will guarantee the best result. The rest of the ingredients are quite common and you should be able to find them at regular grocery stores.
How to make Chinese BBQ ribs
This recipe uses a low-temperature slow roasting in the beginning, with the ribs wrapped in the foil. Once the ribs turn super tender, you will roast them at a higher temperature to create the glossy glaze. No marinating needed, yet you will get the most flavorful ribs ever! Once you’re done roasting, the outer layer of the ribs will form a slightly firm and sticky shiny glaze, and the inside is so tender that you won’t even need a knife to cut it.
Afterthought
This holiday season, you can use pork as a way to transport you and your family to a new cultural experience, even if you aren’t able to travel. Plus, pork is such a simple and delicious pleasure. In this recipe, it simply melts in your mouth with a sticky texture and tender meat flavor that really helps you connect in that moment. Lose yourself in the moment with Chinese BBQ ribs for a new holiday tradition.
Sides to serve with Chinese BBQ ribs
Chinese Pickled Cabbage (A Quick Pickle Recipe) 4-Ingredient Baby Bok Choy Stir Fry Cabbage Glass Noodles Stir Fry Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce (蚝油芥蓝, Gai Lan) Chinese Zucchini Stir Fry Soy Sauce Fried Rice (酱油炒饭) Real Deal Sesame Noodles
If you give this recipe a try, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it (once you’ve tried it), and take a picture and tag it @omnivorescookbook on Instagram! I’d love to see what you come up with.
Other delicious pork recipes
Honey Garlic Pork Chops Gua Bao (Taiwanese Pork Belly Buns, 割包) Lu Rou Fan (Taiwanses Pork Rice Bowl) Baked BBQ Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao) Salt and Pepper Pork Chops
