Chinese Barbecued Spareribs became especially popular in North American home kitchens during the mid-20th century, when cooks adapted restaurant-inspired Chinese flavors using pantry staples. This vintage version combines tomato sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, and Tabasco to create a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. The recipe reflects the era’s fascination with “Polynesian” and Chinese-American barbecue dishes that were commonly served at family dinners and casual entertaining. Baking the ribs low and slow after an initial high-heat start helps create tender meat with a sticky coating that’s ideal for gatherings, cookouts, and comfort-food meals. Its balance of savory soy sauce and sweet brown sugar makes it a timeless favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 onion (chopped )
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp mustard
- 1 bay leaf
- ¼ cup water
- 15 oz tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp Tabasco sauce
- 1 clove garlic (crushed)
- 2 to 3 lbs pork spareribs
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Sauce
- Combine the chopped onion, vinegar, brown sugar, mustard, bay leaf, water, tomato sauce, soy sauce, salt, Tabasco sauce, and crushed garlic in a saucepan.
- Bring the mixture to a boil.
Step 2: Prepare the Ribs
- Arrange the pork spareribs in a shallow baking pan.
- Pour the sauce evenly over the ribs.
Step 3: Start Baking
- Bake the ribs at 450°F for 30 minutes.
Step 4: Reduce Heat
- Lower the oven temperature to 350°F.
- Continue baking for 1 hour.
Step 5: Baste the Ribs
- Baste the ribs with sauce 2–3 times during baking to keep them moist and flavorful.
Step 6: Serve
- Remove the ribs from the oven once tender and caramelized.
- Serve hot with extra sauce if desired.
Tips
- Use baby back ribs for a leaner version.
- Add a spoonful of honey for extra sweetness.
- Marinate the ribs overnight for deeper flavor.
- Finish under the broiler for crispier edges.
- Add ginger for a more traditional Chinese-inspired taste.
- Serve with steamed rice and stir-fried vegetables.
- Replace Tabasco with sriracha for a modern twist.
- Cook on the grill after baking for smoky flavor.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to reduce salt content.
Nutrition
Calories: 520kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 32gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 125mgSodium: 920mgPotassium: 720mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 620IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 68mgIron: 2.8mg
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