Baked Sticky Asian Ribs

Sticky asian ribs on a platter with sesame seeds and cilantro on top.

5 from 2 votes

These sticky Asian ribs are coated in a flavorful rub, oven-baked until incredibly tender, then coated in a bold, sweet-and-spicy glaze that’s rich, savory, and full of flavor. They bring all the depth of Chinese-style ribs and no grill required.

Prep Time30

Cook Time2

Total Time2 30

Course: Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 260kcal

Author: Callan Wenner

Equipment

9x13" pan
tin foil
basting brush optional

Ingredients

Dry Rub

1 large rack baby back or st. louis style pork ribs ~2-3lbs
⅓ cup light brown sugar packed
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon chinese five spice powder
1 teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
12 oz beer lager or stout

Glaze

½ cup brown sugar packed
½ cup soy sauce
¼ cup hoisin
1 tablespoon sesame oil
¼ cup rice vinegar
2 tablespoons sambal oelek or use 1 tablespoon sriracha, or 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 ” fresh ginger peeled and grated or finely minced
4 cloves garlic grated or finely minced
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
sesame seeds for garnish
cilantro for garnish

Instructions

Remove the rack from the packaging and pat dry with paper towels. Flip the rack so it’s meat side down, and remove the piece of silver skin from the curved bone side of the ribs.
1 large rack baby back or st. louis style pork ribs
You can typically begin lifting it off from the bones on the thinner side of the rack. Lift the thin membrane up with your fingernails, then pull it from the meat and bones, going the whole way down the rack. If you’re unable to remove it, simply score cross hatches all over the curved side of the bones.
Cut the ribs in between the bones into 2-4 bones per chunk, dry off again, and place in a 9x13” pan.
Preheat the oven to broil and arrange a rack in the top third of the oven.
Mix together all ingredients for the dry rub, then rub all over the top, bottom, and sides of the ribs. Really massage it in!
⅓ cup light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon chinese five spice powder, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Arrange the ribs meat side up, then broil until crispy, flipping to get both sides charred. Watch for burning & smoking!
Remove from the oven and change the temperature to 325F. Turn the ribs so they’re meat side up, then pour the beer into the pan. Cover tightly with foil (don’t let any steam escape), and place in the center rack of the oven. Bake for 2-2.5 hours until the bones are quite exposed on the edges and the meat is very tender.
12 oz beer
While the ribs bake, add the brown sugar, soy sauce, hoisin, sesame oil, rice vinegar, sambal oelek, ginger, and garlic to a saucepan over medium heat. Mix and heat until bubbling and the sugar has dissolved.
½ cup brown sugar, ½ cup soy sauce, ¼ cup hoisin, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, ¼ cup rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons sambal oelek, 1 ” fresh ginger, 4 cloves garlic
Mix together the cornstarch and water and mix into the sauce. Let it cook and bubble until thickened, then remove from the heat.
1 tablespoon cornstarch, 2 tablespoons water
About 15 minutes before the ribs are done, remove the pan from the oven and carefully remove the foil (the steam is hot!).
Spread a layer of the sauce all over the top of the ribs, then return to the oven and switch it to 425F. After 10 minutes, add another layer of sauce and return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes.
Remove the ribs to a platter or cutting board and slice in between the bones into individual pieces. Serve with a sprinkle of sesame seeds, cilantro and a bowl of excess sauce.
sesame seeds, cilantro

Video

Notes

If you prefer more “toothsome” ribs, cook for less time. The longer they bake, the more they’ll fall off the bone.

Store leftover ribs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheating: Wrap ribs in foil and reheat in a 275°F oven for 20–30 minutes, or until warmed through.

Nutrition