Sweet Pork Ribs
When a pig is processed 🔪, every part is used… there’s no waste. I think of pork butt aka “Boston butt”, which despite its name, is actually from the shoulder and is perfect for making pulled pork in a slow cooker or those delicious carnitas.
Country-style ribs are also from this part 🐖, and they’re not ribs at all! The meat is technically boneless, and if there are some, they’re not rib bones but from the shoulder blade.
Right below the butt, there’s picnic shoulder, and that’s the cut I use for my sausages like Hot Italian, Andouille, and Garlic. It’s another meat that is best when cooked slowly 🍲. This part can also be used in stews as well as in chilies.
Then there’s the loin 🙂 where the cutlets, chops, sirloin roasts, blade loin roasts, tenderloin, and baby back ribs are from.
When it comes to tenderloin, I have many recipes on the website 💻 with this cut like El Diablo, Stuffed Pork Tenderloin, Vitali, Maple Mustard, Pork Tenderloin with Spicy Pineapple-Mango Sauce, and so on.
From the ribcage, there are the delicious baby back ribs, also known as riblets that I love to cook slowly, either in the oven or the barbecue 🔥. The crown roast is also from the rib portion of the pig.
To make salt pork, lardons, and pork rinds, the fatback is used, which is taken from the skin and fat on the back. I use salt pork rarely in my recipes, but I do I have a couple that I add it to like Cassoulet 🥘 and Bouilli du Québec.
To get the bacon 🥓 and pancetta, as well as pork belly, the cut is located at the bottom of the pork, and this part is called “belly” or “pork side”. I use pork belly for my Char Siu recipe. Between the pork loin and the pork side, this is where the spare ribs come from. They’re also known as “side ribs” or just “spares”.
Furthermore, the ham is the back leg of the pig, and this is the part used to make prosciutto, steaks, shanks, and ham. When I make 👩🍳 my Split Pea & Ham Soup, I use either a shank or a ham hock, which is the joint between the feet and the leg.
Then there are the feet, which have a lot of collagen and gelatin. They’re a great addition to soups 🥣 and stews. I use them for the making of my Ragoût de Boulettes & Pattes de Cochon – Meatballs & Pig’s Feet Stew.
When it comes to the head 🐷, this entire part can also be added to soups and stews. Other parts, like ears and cheeks, can be baked, fried, or cured and smoked. The cheeks are fatty and perfect for making guanciale. Last but not least, the tongue, which is perfectly balanced with meat and fat. Slow-cooked as well, it’s so tender and perfect with a nice sauce.
Today, the cut of meat I’m focusing on is the spare ribs, also known as “side ribs”, located above the breastbone in the belly. They’re so amazing when cooked or braised very slowly. Besides my Chinese 5 Spice Spare Ribs, which are packed with amazing flavor 😋, here’s another one… my Sweet Pork Ribs!
This is a real treat for me! The sauce is just sweet enough and perfectly balanced with the flavor of the meat. I like to serve my Sweet Pork Ribs with plain white rice 🍚 and simply garnish them with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. It’s really not a complicated meal, and it’s so succulent!
Here are a couple tips to consider…
– As much as many cooks enjoy boiling them 💦, the best cooking methods are grilling, roasting, or braising. Longer is better, so don’t rush anything and cook them slowly at a lower temperature.
– How much to make per person – you may ask 🤔? To calculate the perfect quantity to serve your guests, I use about a pound (500 g) per person. Let’s not forget that you will probably be serving sides with them.
These Sweet Pork Ribs are incredible! Tender, juicy, and moist, these mouthwatering ribs have to be on your “must-try” list! It’s a scrumptious dish that I’m sure you and your family 👨👩👧👦 will enjoy all year round…
Bon Appétit! 🍽
Here are more scrumptious pork recipes for you to try…😀
– French Onion Dijon Pork Chops
– Asian Pork Rice Bowl
– Chicken Ham Sausage Jambalaya
– Tourtière
– Spicy Sausage Penne all’Arrabbiata
– Wonton Soup
– Breakfast Sausage Muffin Cups
– Singapore Noodles
– Grilled Jalapeño Poppers
and for even more pork recipes 🐖, click on this link… Recipe Category • Pork
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Sweet Pork Ribs
Hover to scale
Ingredients
RUB
- 1/2 tbsp. smoked paprika
- 1/2 tbsp. ground ginger
- 1/2 tbsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. ground Himalayan pink salt
- 1 tsp. freshly ground mixed peppercorns
RIBS
- 3 1/2 lbs. (1.5 kg) pork side ribs, portioned into 3 bone slabs
- 3 cups water
GLAZE
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup pineapple juice
- 1 tbsp. hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp. minced ginger
- 1 large clove garlic, pressed
- freshly ground mixed peppercorns, to taste
GARNISH
- 1/2 tbsp. sesame seeds
- 1 large green onion, finely chopped
Directions
- In a small bowl, combine all the rub ingredients and whisk until well blended.
- Preheat the oven to 300ºF/150ºC
- Portion the pork ribs into 3 to 4 bone slabs. Spoon the spice mixture onto them and rub it in well.
- Place them on a wire rack lightly greased with cooking spray sitting over a baking pan meat side down.
- Pour the water into the baking pan and tightly cover with foil.
- Transfer to the preheated oven and let the ribs steam for 2 hours.
- About ½ hour before the time is up, make the glaze by adding ketchup, granulated sugar, pineapple juice, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, ginger, garlic and freshly ground black pepper to a medium saucepan.
- Stir until the ingredients are well blended, set the heat to medium and cook the mixture until it just starts simmering. Keep it warm until needed.
- After a couple of hours, remove the baking pan and transfer the ribs to a plate (*see footnote).
- Increase the oven temperature to 375ºF/ 190ºC.
- Take the wire rack and place it on a baking sheet lined with foil. Place the ribs meat side up, spoon some glaze over each portion and brush it on evenly to cover the entire surface.
- Transfer them to the preheated oven and set the timer for 15 minutes.
- When the time is up, remove from the heat and glaze the ribs again. Put them back in the oven for another 15 minutes.
- Repeat the same process one more time… spooning on the remaining glaze, brush it on evenly and transfer them back to the oven to bake for the last 15 minutes.
- Garnish the ribs with sesame seeds and chopped green onions and serve with rice.
Notes
Don't forget to rate and comment on this recipe!

I made a big batch for the Super Bowl yesterday and the boys loved them! It didn’t need anything else in the glaze like others suggested. They were awesome!
Thumbs up! The ribs turned out perfectly! When it gets warm enough, I’ll make your Canadian rib recipe.
That’s awesome! I’m sure you’ll love them. This Canadian Smoky Pork Ribs is always a favorite 💖. Have a gorgeous day, Tina.
nice & slow! Does everything always get better that way (wink)
Incredible flavor! This is our favorite recipe from now on, unless you post better ones. Could it be possible? Haha!
Thank you, Harry 😊. Actually, I do have more rib recipes like Chinese 5 Spice Spare Ribs, Canadian Smoky Pork Ribs, BBQ Pork Ribs, Asian-Style Beef Short Ribs, Kansas City Style Pork Ribs. Have a nice evening 🌜.
Hi Frankie,
My husband and I have been following you for years and have probably tried over a hundred recipes. Like the others, this one is amazing and flavorful. You’re a great chef. Thank you for your hard work in sharing them.
It’s my pleasure. Thank you so much for your kind comments, Chrissy 🙏. Have a fabulous afternoon.
the best ribs I’ve ever had.
Why go to restaurants when I can make them better? Thank you Frankie 😀
I’ve been making this recipe since she posted it and won’t even look at another one. That should tell you something.
I modified the glaze by adding liquid smoke and brown sugar instead of granulated. Like someone else did, I also added 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper. My friends said they were the best ribs they had ever tasted.
These were finger lickin’ good! I’m curious to try your Chinese 5-spice ribs.
I’m happy you loved 💖 the recipe. The Chinese 5 Spice Spare Ribs is a great recipe. I’m sure you’ll love it. Enjoy the rest of your day, Ryan.
I used my smoker. They came out very juicy and tender. I served them with mashed potatoes and asparagus.
The ribs turned out amazing! Great recipe Francine.
You’re welcome, Norm 😀.
Made it twice. The first time, I followed as written. The second time, I added cayenne pepper to the sauce mixture. It tasted better. Next time, I might add some liquid smoke. It’s a good base recipe.
Actually, I like what you did. Next time I make them, I’ll modify it too. Thank you for the idea💡 and enjoy the rest of your day, Mark.
I tried your 5 spice ribs and then this one. It blows the other one a mile away! Thanks for posting them though
if I could, I would give 10 stars!!!
Aww, you’re so kind, thank you George 🙏.
my go-to rib recipe!!
We had our annual family picnic and I made this rib recipe. The only thing I could hear was them moaning while eating lol!
Moaning while eating is definitely a good sign 😉. Enjoy the rest of your day, Terry.
Une merveilleuse recette. Merci
Bienvenu, Sylvie et passez une belle soirée 🌜.
It’s super good but it takes too much time
To get tender ribs, cooking them slowly breaks down the connective tissues. Sorry, but that’s the way to go with this type of cut. Have a nice day, Joey 🌞.
I served these ribs for Easter and my family just devoured them. Thanks Frankie
It’s my pleasure, Wendy 😉. They can be enjoyed anytime! Have a beautiful day.
Great recipe to make in the oven during winter.
it was yummy!
Fabulous!
IT WAS SUCCULENT!
I followed the recipe until except I did it on the grill over indirect heat. The meat was falling off the bones. Great rib recipe. Thx
We used to go regularly to restaurants just to have ribs because making them at home never came out as nicely. We tried this recipe and it was finger-licking-incredibly-delicious! Thanks Frankie.
You’re very welcome, Vivian 😀.
Insanely delicious!!
Boyfriend and I love ribs! He made your recipe last night and we just pigged out!! It was AMAZING! Thank you for sharing all your delicious recipes.
It’s my pleasure, Bee. I’m happy you enjoyed the recipe. Have a gorgeous day 🌞.
I always boil them first. My wife convinced me to try your method (steam) and I admit, it’s tastier that way. Thanks chef
You’re welcome, Murray 😉.
Thanks for sharing.
It’s my pleasure, Aditiyan 😉. These ribs are incredible… totally a must try! Enjoy your evening.
It looks delicious excellent👍👍
Thank you so much, Steve 😊. This is such a flavorful recipe to enjoy anytime. Have a great afternoon.
I have never steamed the ribs first. I have boiled them but they lose flavor that way I am sure. Thanks Frankie. I do love ribs. 🙌🏻
You’re welcome, Linda 😉. You’re right boiling removes some of the flavor vs this steaming method. Seeing as you love ribs too you might want to check the Chinese 5 Spice Spare Ribs and the BBQ Pork Ribs on the website. There are more rib recipes I’ll be posting so stay tuned. Enjoy the rest of your day.
Oh yummy!!! Thank you for sharing.
You’re so welcome! It’s a delicious recipe plus quite easy to make. Enjoy the rest of your day, Michelle 🌞.
Chef Frankie, we have to make them! This recipe sounds amazing!
Thank you. It’s sooo delicious, I’m sure you’ll love it 💖! Have a fabulous day, Bee.
This looks so good I hardly know what to say.
Lol 😅! Thank you, John. This recipe is incredible… you just have to try it. Have a wonderful day.
It sounds like the ones you get at Chinese restaurants. I don’t like them 🤢
Yes ma’am good job ❤️❤️❤️💯💯💯💯
Thank you sir 😀. This is one of my favorite rib recipes. The meat falls off the bones + the sweet glaze is so amazing! Enjoy your day, James.