Baked Honey Garlic Spare Ribs

Written by
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Diana Rattray
Updated 10/02/20
Honey garlic spare ribs
Cheryl Zibisky/Photolibrary/Getty Images
  • Total: 105 mins
  • Prep: 15 mins
  • Cook: 90 mins
  • Servings: 4 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
1586 Calories
109g Fat
80g Carbs
75g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 1586
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 109g 139%
Saturated Fat 32g 162%
Cholesterol 366mg 122%
Sodium 2407mg 105%
Total Carbohydrate 80g 29%
Dietary Fiber 2g 6%
Total Sugars 70g
Protein 75g
Vitamin C 1mg 5%
Calcium 122mg 9%
Iron 6mg 35%
Potassium 1290mg 27%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

These succulent pork spare ribs are baked in the oven and flavored with a delicious honey and garlic sauce, making for a simple preparation that has amazing end results. The ribs are first seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and then baked for an hour. A mixture of honey, cider vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic is cooked together and then brushed onto the ribs during the last half hour of baking, creating a flavorful and rich coating.

Pork ribs are excellent with picnic salads, particularly potato salad or coleslaw, as well as cornbread muffins or hot buttered biscuits. Twice-baked potatoes will make this meal extra-special, or keep it simple with slow-cooked baked beans. Serve a tall glass of Southern iced tea with lemon or pour your favorite beer to drink.

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds pork spare ribs

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1/2 cup honey

  • 3 tablespoons cider vinegar

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce

  • 3 cloves garlic (finely minced)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Heat the oven to 325 F (165 C/Gas 3) and line a large baking pan or roasting pan with foil.

  3. If it hasn't already been done, the silverskin needs to be removed from the bone side of the racks of ribs. To do this, ease a butter knife or narrow metal spatula under the skin at one end.

  4. Then grasp the loosened skin with a paper towel or cloth towel (the towel will keep your hand from slipping) and pull the skin. It should peel off in one sheet. (If not, use the knife to loosen the opposite end of the membrane and try pulling again.)

  5. Cut the ribs into 1-rib pieces or serving size portions.

  6. Season the spare ribs with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

  7. Arrange the ribs in the prepared baking pan.

  8. Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for one hour, or until tender.

  9. Drain off all of the excess fat and liquids.

  10. In a small saucepan, combine the honey, vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic. Bring to a boil.

  11. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 5 minutes.

  12. Increase the oven temperature to 350 F (180 C/Gas 4). Drizzle or brush the honey and garlic sauce mixture over the spare ribs.

  13. Continue baking uncovered for 30 minutes, basting frequently.

  14. Enjoy.

Recipe Variations

  • Replace the honey with maple syrup, brown sugar, or apricot preserves.
  • Add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper or chili garlic paste (sambal) for heat.
  • For grilled ribs: Bake the ribs in the oven for 1 hour but instead of basting and baking the ribs in the oven, finish them on the grill over medium coals. Grill the ribs until tender, about 20 to 30 minutes, turning frequently and basting with the honey garlic sauce.

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