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Chinese Barbecued Spareribs
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.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 6
Calories 520 kcal

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
Keyword baked ribs, chinese barbecue, comfort food, family dinner, oven-baked ribs, pork ribs, retro dinner, spareribs, sweet and savory, vintage recipe
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