Sticky Honey Garlic Ribs Recipe

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Sticky Honey Garlic Ribs are a mouthwatering dish that combines tender, slow-cooked pork ribs with a glossy glaze made from honey, garlic, soy sauce, and a touch of spice. The ribs are first cooked until juicy and fall-off-the-bone tender, then coated in a sticky sauce that caramelizes beautifully under heat. The result is a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and garlicky flavors that cling to every bite. This recipe is ideal for family dinners, gatherings, or when you want to impress with a dish that feels indulgent yet approachable.

Ingredients

  • 2 racks pork ribs (about 3–4 pounds)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

For the Honey Garlic Sauce:

  • ½ cup honey
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 6 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon chili flakes (optional, for heat)

Instruction

  1. Prepare the ribs:
    • Remove the thin membrane from the back of the ribs for tenderness.
    • Season ribs with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
  2. Cook the ribs:
    • Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
    • Wrap ribs in foil and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 2 ½–3 hours until tender.
  3. Make the sauce:
    • In a saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, garlic, and ginger.
    • Simmer over medium heat for 5–7 minutes until thickened and glossy.
  4. Glaze the ribs:
    • Remove ribs from oven and discard foil. Brush generously with honey garlic sauce.
    • Increase oven temperature to 425°F (220°C) or place ribs under broiler for 5–10 minutes until sauce caramelizes and becomes sticky.
  5. Serve:
    • Slice ribs into portions. Brush with extra sauce and sprinkle with sesame seeds or chopped green onions if desired.

Servings

This recipe serves 4–6 people, depending on portion size.

Note

  • Tenderness tip: Slow cooking at low heat ensures ribs are juicy and tender.
  • Flavor balance: Adjust honey for sweetness or soy sauce for saltiness.
  • Make-ahead option: Sauce can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Presentation: Garnish with sesame seeds and fresh herbs for a restaurant-style finish.

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