Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs
An easy and quick recipe for a perfect mixture of pineapple, vinegar, and spare ribs.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs pork spare ribs
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1/3 cup shoyu soy sauce
- 1 tsp oil
- 1 clove garlic smashed
- 1 inch ginger root smashed
- 3/4 cup vinegar (adjust to your taste)
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 can pineapple chunks
Instructions
Stovetop Method
- Prepare the pork spare ribs by cutting it into 2x2 inch pieces. Marinate the ribs in the flour and shoyu for 30 minutes.
- Drizzle some oil in a large pot. Over medium heat, add in the garlic and ginger. Quickly fry until fragrant. Add in the ribs and brown all sides.
- Add the remaining ingredients except the pineapple chunks: vinegar, pineapple juice, brown sugar, and salt.
- Cover the pot and let it simmer for 1 hour 30 minutes. Add the pineapple chunks and simmer for another 30 minutes, or until the ribs are fork tender.
- Serve with rice and enjoy!
Instant Pot Method
- Prepare the pork spare ribs by cutting into 2x2 inch pieces. Marinate the ribs in the flour and shoyu for 30 minutes.
- Select Saute on the Instant Pot. Once hot, drizzle in the oil, then add the garlic and ginger. Stir fry until fragrant.
- Add the ribs and saute until browned on all sides. It's okay if some browned bits stick to the bottom of the pot, that fond adds more flavor once everything simmers.
- Add the vinegar, pineapple juice, brown sugar, and salt.
- Close the lid and set to Manual, High Pressure, for 20 minutes.
- Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release the rest.
- Add the pineapple chunks. Close the lid and set to Manual, High Pressure, for 5 minutes to cook the pineapple.
- Quick release the pressure.
- Serve with rice and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Swapping in pork shoulder or butt: You can swap the spare ribs for a boneless pork shoulder or butt, cut into 2 inch cubes. It won't have the same bone-in flavor, but it holds up well to the same braise or pressure cook. On the stovetop, start checking for tenderness around the 1 hour mark, since boneless cuts can cook faster than ribs. In the Instant Pot, the same 20 minute pressure cook time still works.
Adjusting the sourness: The vinegar is what gives this dish its sour kick. For a milder flavor, cut the vinegar down to 1/2 cup and adjust from there to taste.