Sticky Honey Garlic Ribs Recipe

 

Sticky Honey Garlic Ribs are the perfect combination of sweet, savory, and sticky goodness! The honey and garlic sauce caramelizes beautifully on the ribs, making them incredibly flavorful and irresistible. Here’s an easy recipe to make these mouthwatering ribs:

Ingredients:

For the Ribs:

• 2 racks of baby back ribs (about 2-3 lbs total)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (for searing)

For the Honey Garlic Sauce:

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce (optional, but adds a nice depth of flavor)
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional, but adds a nice kick)
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil (optional, for an extra touch of flavor)
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)

Garnishes (optional):

• Chopped green onions
• Sesame seeds
• Fresh cilantro

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Ribs

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).

2. Prepare the ribs: Remove the silver skin (the thin membrane on the back of the ribs) using a paper towel for a better grip. This helps the ribs cook more evenly and makes them more tender. Pat the ribs dry with a paper towel.

3. Season the ribs: Season both sides of the ribs generously with salt and pepper. You can also add other spices (like smoked paprika, garlic powder, or chili powder) for extra flavor if you like.

Step 2: Cook the Ribs Low and Slow

1. Wrap the ribs in foil: Place the ribs on a large piece of aluminum foil, meaty side up, and wrap them tightly in the foil. This helps the ribs stay tender and juicy as they cook.

2. Bake the ribs: Place the wrapped ribs on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 2.5 to 3 hours, until the ribs are tender. You can check for tenderness by gently pulling the ribs apart with tongs; they should easily come apart.

Step 3: Make the Honey Garlic Sauce

1. Cook the sauce: While the ribs are baking, prepare the honey garlic sauce. In a medium saucepan, combine the honey, soy sauce, garlic, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.

2. Simmer the sauce: Let the sauce simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly and becomes syrupy. Remove from heat.

Step 4: Sear the Ribs

1. Heat a grill or skillet: Once the ribs are done baking and tender, remove them from the foil. Heat a grill or a large skillet over medium-high heat. If using a skillet, add a tablespoon of olive oil.

2. Sear the ribs: Place the ribs on the hot grill or skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side to get a nice char and caramelization on the meat.

Step 5: Coat the Ribs in Sauce

1. Brush with sauce: Brush a generous amount of the honey garlic sauce onto the ribs while searing, allowing the sauce to glaze the meat. Flip the ribs and brush the other side with the sauce. Continue cooking for 1-2 minutes on each side, making sure the sauce caramelizes.

Step 6: Serve

1. Slice the ribs: After the ribs have a nice sticky glaze, remove them from the grill or skillet. Slice them between the bones into individual ribs.

2. Garnish and serve: Garnish the ribs with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, and cilantro for a fresh, flavorful finish.

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Tips:

• Tender ribs: For even more tender ribs, you can wrap the ribs in foil and bake them the night before. The next day, just brush with the sauce and finish them off with a quick sear.
• Grilling option: If you have a grill, you can skip the skillet step and finish the ribs directly on the grill for that perfect smoky flavor.
• Make extra sauce: If you love extra sauce for dipping, double the sauce recipe, and keep it on the side for serving!
• Make ahead: You can make the honey garlic sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to a week. Just warm it up before using it on the ribs.

These Sticky Honey Garlic Ribs are the perfect combination of tender meat, a savory-sweet glaze, and a bit of char. They’re sticky, juicy, and packed with flavor—sure to become a favorite in your recipe rotation! Enjoy!