Better-Than-Takeout Chinese Spare Ribs
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Chinese spare ribs are an easy favorite for cold winter nights, and making them at home is easier than it might appear. There are many different ways to approach spare ribs in your kitchen, but when you find quality ingredients and take the time to really do them right, your home-cooked spare ribs will rival any Chinese take-out dish from your local restaurant.
Here are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind when making your next spare rib meal.
What Are Spare Ribs?
There’s a lot more to the Chinese spare rib than meets the eye. While they bear a strong resemblance to American barbeque and southern cooking, they’re actually prepared quite differently with memorable and bold Chinese ingredients.
Chinese spare ribs are also a unique example of the influence of the American immigrant experience on Chinese dishes, as there are several methods and approaches for creating this delicious dish right at home.
The name might be misleading, but it also speaks the universal desire for delicious, slow-roasted meat. It comes from the German word “rippenspeer,” which refers to the roasting of meat on a spit or spear. As the phrase evolved in English, it came to be known as spare ribs, though, of course, there are no actual extra ribs in the cut of meat. In Chinese, spare ribs are called a variation of paigu, depending on the dialect, which translates quite literally into “row of bones.”
Though spare ribs have evolved and changed over the years, both in the recipe and in the name, their origin is Cantonese, a style of “siu mei.” The American-Chinese cuisine classifies it as a type of char siu. It’s a type of roasted and barbequed pork, though some modern dishes may be stretched to include other types of meats, and literally translates to “fork roasted.”
Originally, char siu dishes were made with the meat from pigs and wild boars and roasted over open flames. One of the recognizable factors for a dish like Chinese spare ribs is the sweet, caramelized flavors, which used to come from heating the sugary marinade over the fire.
Spare ribs are usually served as an appetizer or small dish, though you can make the char siu in buns or as part of your main meal, as well. No matter how you prepare and eat them, you’re sure to enjoy every bite.
Ingredients in Spare Ribs
There are a few key ingredients that are essential to making your home-cooked spare ribs really stand out from the rest. It’s important to note that there are many ways to approach this recipe.
You may find versions with pineapple, ketchup, peanut oil, and more. Mix and match your favorite tastes to create a dish you and your family love. Here’s what you’ll want to keep in mind when purchasing and preparing your ingredients.
Ribs
It may seem obvious, but the type of ribs you use for your spare rib recipe can make all the difference. They are usually cut from the lower section of the pig, behind the shoulder, from which you can get a long selection of ribs.
The difference between spare ribs and short ribs, another common dish, is that spare ribs are made from pork, and short ribs are made from beef. St. Louis style ribs are recommended for this dish, but you may also want to try the cut from above the pig’s sternum, which is known for being slightly fattier and turning out a more tender dish.
Each chef and recipe will have their own way of making a great plate of spare ribs, but the type of meat you use is really important. Smaller pieces make it easier to cook the ribs and ensure that they’re all properly marinated. If you don’t feel comfortable cutting the meat at home, your local butcher can help you pick out and properly cut an excellent piece.
Hoisin Sauce
Hoisin sauce is one of those delicious ingredients you’ll want to have on hand for many great Chinese food dishes. It’s the perfect blend of sweet and umami flavors and helps to give your spare ribs that classic sweet flavor they’re known for.
You can make it at home with brown sugar, soy sauce, bean sauce, sesame oil, vinegar, and spices, or you can use a pre-made bottle for a similar effect. It’s a classic combination of flavors that will show up in many of your favorite recipes.
Brown Sugar and Honey
The hoisin sauce may be sweet, but you’ll need a little extra something to achieve those delicious spare rib flavors. That’s where the brown sugar and honey show up. You won’t need much, just a few tablespoons each, but you’ll also drizzle honey over the finished dish to give it a little more of that balancing sweetness on the tongue.
Five-Spice Powder
Chinese five-spice is one of those classic spices that should be in every kitchen, especially if you’re practicing Chinese food dishes at home. It’s made up of unique spices and flavors that encompass what are considered the five tastes: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami.
As the name indicates, there are five spices included: star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and fennel seeds. Chinese cinnamon is a specific type of the spice, which is darker in color and has a rough texture in its original form. The flavor is slightly more bitter than traditional cinnamon.
If you plan to make Chinese five-spice at home, which you can do easily, make sure you have the appropriate ingredients. You can also raise or lower the heat and spice level of the mix by adjusting the use of Sichuan peppercorns, which help to give Sichuan food so much of its spicy flavoring.
Soy Sauce, Garlic, and Ginger
Soy sauce, garlic, and ginger are some of those classic Chinese food ingredients and flavors that help you to make these delicious dishes right at home. You’ll want to use fresh ginger if you can and play around with the types of soy sauce to find the one that best fits your cooking needs for this dish.
How to Prepare and Cook Spare Ribs
Once you have the ingredients, putting it all together is relatively easy. Be sure to give yourself enough time to properly marinate and cook the ribs, so they’re juicy and delicious.
Step One: Combine your ingredients in a bag and add the meat, making sure the pork is coated completely.
Step Two: Allow it to marinate for four two six hours, though overnight is preferable. Store any extra sauce in the fridge to be used later.
Step Three: Bring your oven to 325F and prepare your roasting rack over a foil-covered pan. Add a thin layer of water to the pan and place your ribs on the rack.
Step Four: Cook them for 45 minutes to an hour, regularly checking to ensure that the water has not all evaporated. If it has, add a little more at a time.
Step Five: Broil toward the end of cooking, if you want. Serve with a drizzle of honey or warmed sauce over the top—and lots of napkins!
There are also ways to approach this recipe that include coking in a crockpot or grill, as well. Explore the best method that works for you and delivers on those tastes that you love.
What Pairs With Chinese Spare Ribs?
Chinese spare ribs stand out on their own as an easy and delicious dish that the whole family is sure to love. But if you’re looking to make a great meal with lots of complementary flavors, we recommend pairing them with these easy-to-make spicy Sichuan peanut noodles.
These noodles take less than ten minutes to make and can be cooked easily with the ingredients you already have in your pantry, including peanut butter, soy sauce, and sesame oil. The sweet and spicy flavors of the two dishes go together well, and you’ll have unique options available for those with dietary restrictions, as well. We also recommend adding a vegetable dish for a rounded and delicious meal.
In Summary
It doesn’t get much more delicious than Chinese spare ribs, and you can make them right at home with ease today. Here at Fly By Jing, we want to make it easy and exciting to try out your favorite recipes in your own kitchen, which is why we offer a wide variety of spices and ingredients you’re sure to love.
It’s also why we’re bringing you our favorite flavors, dishes, and cuisine histories to explore and enjoy. Chinese food is always evolving, so give your recipe a personal and individual taste all your own when you try out Chinese spare ribs and more at home today.
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