Hereβs a Honey Garlic Ribs recipe along with detailed FAQs so you can get perfectly sticky, tender, and flavorful ribs every time.
π―π§ Honey Garlic Ribs Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2β3 lbs pork ribs (baby back or spare ribs)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika (optional for smokiness)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Honey Garlic Sauce:
- Β½ cup honey
- ΒΌ cup soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
- ΒΌ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar (optional, for extra caramelization)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp cornstarch + 2 tsp water (slurry, to thicken)
Instructions:
- Prep the Ribs
- Remove the silver skin from the back of the ribs (this makes them more tender).
- Season ribs with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Bake or Cook the Ribs
- Wrap ribs in foil and bake at 300Β°F (150Β°C) for 2.5β3 hours until tender.
- Alternatively, cook in a slow cooker on LOW for 6β7 hours.
- Make the Honey Garlic Sauce
- In a saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, garlic, and vinegar.
- Bring to a simmer and cook for 5β6 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Stir in the cornstarch slurry if you prefer a stickier glaze.
- Glaze & Finish
- Remove ribs from foil, brush with sauce, and broil (or grill) for 5β7 minutes until caramelized and sticky.
- Brush with extra sauce before serving.
β Honey Garlic Ribs FAQs
Q1: Can I make these ribs in the oven only?
π Yes! Bake low and slow (300Β°F for 2.5β3 hrs), then broil with sauce for caramelization.
Q2: Can I cook them in a slow cooker?
π Absolutely. Add seasoned ribs to the slow cooker, pour half the sauce over, and cook on LOW for 6β7 hrs. Finish under the broiler or on the grill for stickiness.
Q3: How do I make them extra tender?
π Always remove the silver skin and cook low and slow. Wrapping in foil helps trap steam, making ribs fall-off-the-bone.
Q4: Can I use beef ribs instead of pork?
π Yes, but beef ribs are meatier and may need longer cooking time (about 3.5 hrs in oven or 8 hrs in slow cooker).
Q5: Can I make the sauce spicier?
π Add sriracha, chili flakes, or hot honey to the sauce for a sweet-heat kick.
Q6: How do I thicken the sauce without cornstarch?
π Just simmer it longer on the stove until it reduces into a syrupy glaze.
Q7: Can I prepare ribs ahead of time?
π Yes. Bake/cook them ahead, store in the fridge (up to 2 days), and reheat under the broiler or on the grill with fresh sauce.
Q8: What sides go best with honey garlic ribs?
π Classic choices: mashed potatoes, coleslaw, cornbread, roasted veggies, or fried rice for an Asian-inspired twist.
Would you like me to also give you a grilled version of these honey garlic ribs for a smokier BBQ-style flavor?