Traditionally, sweet and sour pork ribs are made by frying them until they turn golden and crispy, followed by braising them in a sticky sweet and sour sauce, resulting in a delightful combination of chewy texture and crunchy caramelized surface, bursting with flavor. 

The ingredients for this classic Chinese cuisine include pork ribs, sugar, vinegar, light and dark soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and spring onions. Although you can use any type of ribs, the authentic ways usually use small single riblets measuring about 2 inches (5 cm) in length.

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1. Variations of sweet and sour pork ribs

There are various methods to prepare sweet and sour pork ribs. Some traditional recipes involve a cooking technique called Chao Tang Se/炒糖色, which entails melting sugar in water until it becomes sticky and amber. The syrup is then used to coat the meat. This technique requires careful control to avoid burning the sugar. Other recipes suggest marinating the ribs and briefly deep-frying them in hot oil to achieve a crispy outer layer and tender interior. In a simplified home version, the ribs can just be simmered with a sauce until it thickens, and skip the above steps. Lastly, Hawaiian-style sweet and sour spare pork ribs incorporate flour, soy sauce, vinegar, pineapple juice, brown sugar, and garlic. 

Sweet and sour pork ribs are typically served as appetizers in Chinese and Taiwanese restaurants.

2. My sweet and sour pork ribs recipe

My sweet and sour pork rib recipe is based on my regular cooking method, which has elements from all the abovementioned variations. The main difference in my approach is that I bake the ribs at a temperature of 230°C/450°F for thirty minutes until they turn golden brown. Baking yields a similar effect as deep-frying to enhance the flavor through the Millard reaction. Afterward, I coat the pork ribs with the caramel, then simmer them with sugar and vinegar until soft and tender.

I prepare a sugar syrup using oil, water, and rock sugar to make a caramel to coat the pork ribs. This achieves the familiar glossy and deep-colored pork ribs served in Chinese restaurants. 

3. How to cook the sweet and sour pork ribs

Here is a step-by-step guide on preparing my favorite sweet and sour pork ribs.

a. Clean and blanch the pork ribs

Since I didn’t have a butcher knife, I requested my butcher cut the pork ribs into bite-sized pieces.

Now, let’s address the question of blanching pork ribs as a pretreatment, as there are varying opinions.

It ultimately depends on your preference. Blanching the pork ribs, especially with rice wine, spring onions, and ginger, is a common method to remove impurities and any gamey smell from the ribs. Some home cooks don’t mind pork’s natural smell and skip this step. If the ribs are fresh and don’t have any undesirable smell, I simply skip blanching and wash them thoroughly with water to remove any bone debris and blood, and it is good to proceed to the next step.

If you want to blanch the pork ribs, place them in a pot of boiling water along with some cooking wine, a few slices of ginger, and a stalk of spring onion. Let them blanch for two to three minutes, skimming off any scum that rises to the surface. Then, drain the pork ribs in a colander and pat them dry with a cloth.

b. Deep-fried or bake the pork ribs 

To enhance the final dish’s flavor, you can either deep-fry or bake the pork ribs before braising them.

Deep-frying is a common method used in restaurants, but it does require a larger amount of oil and leaves behind used oil, which can be wasteful. To take a different approach, I decided to bake the ribs at a high temperature (230°C/450°F) until they turned golden brown. To achieve this, I pat the pork ribs dry and lightly coat them with a small amount of oil. Then I arrange them on a baking rack in the middle position. The baking time will vary depending on the size of the ribs, but generally, it takes at least thirty minutes to turn golden brown.

c. Make a caramel to color the pork ribs

The secret ingredient is caramel if you’ve ever wondered how restaurants achieve that stunning glossy surface and beautiful dark brown coating on their pork ribs.

To start, heat some oil in a pan and add the sugar. You must keep the heat low as high heat can burn the sugar quickly. After the sugar melts, add a little water to the melted sugar. Be cautious, as there may be some splattering.

Next, it’s time to mix the caramel syrup with the cooked ribs over medium heat for a minute or two until they are fully coated with the caramel.

Note: The caramel will make the pork ribs more glossy if you use rock sugar. However, you can substitute it with white sugar if you don’t have rock sugar.

d. Braise the pork until tender 

Now, let’s add the wine, vinegar, light soy sauce, sugar,  and the other seasonings as indicated in the recipe. To enhance the flavor, I recommend including a few cloves of garlic that complement the flavor of vinegar.

It’s preferable to use traditional Zhenjiang vinegar (a type of Chinese black vinegar), widely used in Chinese cooking. While other types of vinegar can still yield good results, it’s best to avoid using white vinegar as it may result in a less desirable flavor.

Let the pork ribs simmer for approximately 1-2 hours or until tender. Meanwhile, ensure enough water is in the pot to cover the pork ribs.  Periodically check the water level and add a small amount if necessary. 

Do not add water in the final thirty minutes of cooking to allow the liquid to naturally reduce into a thick, flavorful sauce that will coat the pork ribs.

Additionally, perform a taste test to determine if any adjustments are needed to balance the sweetness and sourness of the dish. Some sweet and sour pork ribs recipes include ketchup to achieve the desired sweet and sour flavor.

Alternate method

For an alternative cooking method, transfer the pork ribs to a slow cooker and let them simmer until they become soft and tender. Since slow cookers typically require less water, avoid adding excessive water for simmering the ribs. We aim to reduce the liquid and create a thick and sticky sauce.

There’s no need to use cornstarch to thicken the gravy since the bone collagen acts as a thickening agent, giving the sauce a silky smooth and glossy texture.

4. How to serve the sweet and sour ribs

The easiest way to present the pork ribs is by arranging them on a plate alongside some vegetables. To add a finishing touch, sprinkle toasted white sesame seeds and spring onions (green onions) as garnish.

These pork ribs can be enjoyed as an appetizer or a main course. Here are a few additional serving suggestions:

• Prepare a refreshing coleslaw as a side dish.
• Create a pasta salad to accompany the ribs.
• Serve them with steamed rice, a popular choice in our family.
• Make stir-fried or roasted vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, and bell peppers, as they beautifully complement the rich flavors of the ribs.

5. Other similar Chinese recipes on this food blog

If you enjoyed this Chinese pork ribs recipe, I have more similar recipes that I would like to recommend to you. 

• Another Chinese pork ribs recipe involves the use of star anise and cinnamon. The resulting flavor is unique, differing from the sweet and sour variations.
• Try this authentic Malaysian Chinese pork chop, the “Pork Ribs King.” The pork ribs are marinated, deep-fried to perfection, and generously coated in a delectable sweet and sour sauce.
• If you’re looking for a quick and easy option, I recommend this honey garlic pork chop recipe. It is one of the most popular recipes on this food blog.