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**** is a popular Cantonese dish that perfectly balances tangy, sweet, and savory flavors. Tender pork spare ribs are lightly fried or blanched, then coated in a glossy sweet and sour sauce made from vinegar, sugar, and soy sauce. Often served at banquets or dim sum restaurants, these ribs are a crowd-pleaser for both kids and adults.

Here’s a detailed recipe to make restaurant-style Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs at home.

📝 Ingredients

For the Ribs:

500 g pork spare ribs (cut into 2–3 inch pieces)

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tsp Shaoxing wine or rice wine

½ tsp salt

½ tsp white pepper

1 tsp cornstarch

For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:

3 tbsp sugar

2 tbsp vinegar (white or rice vinegar)

1 tbsp ketchup or tomato paste

1 tbsp soy sauce

½ cup water or chicken broth

1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (slurry)

Optional Ingredients:

Pineapple chunks (½ cup)

Bell peppers (red or green, diced)

Onion (sliced)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. Marinate the Ribs

In a bowl, combine spare ribs with soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, salt, white pepper, and cornstarch.

Mix thoroughly and let marinate for 30 minutes.

2. Blanch or Fry the Ribs

Option 1 (Blanching): Boil ribs in water for 5 minutes to remove impurities, then drain.

Option 2 (Frying): Heat oil in a pan and fry ribs until lightly golden (optional for extra crispiness).

3. Prepare the Sweet and Sour Sauce

In a small bowl, mix sugar, vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, and water.

Stir well until sugar dissolves.

4. Cook the Ribs in Sauce

Heat a wok or pan over medium heat and add the prepared sauce.

Add ribs and simmer for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce.

If using, add pineapple chunks, bell peppers, and onions in the last 5 minutes of cooking.

5. Serve Hot

Transfer ribs to a serving plate and pour the glossy sauce over them.

Serve with steamed rice or noodles.

📝 Pro Tips

Frying the ribs before simmering gives extra crispy texture.

Adjust sugar and vinegar ratio according to your taste preference — more sugar for sweetness, more vinegar for tanginess.

Adding pineapple and bell peppers provides colorful presentation and fruity notes.

Cook slowly to let the flavors fully penetrate the ribs.

🍽 Serving Suggestions

Steamed Jasmine or Basmati rice 🍚

Stir-fried vegetables 🥦

Dim sum or banquet style platters 🥢

🌟 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Balanced sweet, sour, and savory flavors

Tender, juicy ribs coated in glossy sauce

Classic Cantonese comfort food

A guaranteed hit for family dinners or parties

✨ Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs are a celebration of flavors — tangy, sweet, and succulent. The glossy sauce and tender ribs make this dish irresistible and perfect for special occasions or a hearty family meal.

Do you want me to make a quick 30-minute version of this recipe that still stays authentic? 🐷🍍