Go Back
+ servings
Chinatown Char Siu Barbeque Ribs

Chinatown Char Siu Barbeque Ribs or Pork

Chef B
Tender baby back ribs or pork shoulder marinated in a bold, sweet-savory char siu sauce made with hoisin, soy, honey, five-spice, and a touch of heat - then slow-cooked and glazed to perfection for that classic red, sticky finish.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Course BBQ, Dinner, Main Dish
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 5 servings
Calories 747 kcal

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl: – For preparing the marinade.
  • Resealable Plastic Bag or Container – To marinate the ribs.
  • Grill or Oven with Wire Rack – For cooking the ribs.
  • Basting Brush: – To apply glaze during cooking.
  • Knife and Cutting Board: – For slicing and serving the ribs.

Ingredients
  

Marinade

  • ½ cup Hoisin sauce
  • ½ cup brandy rum, or bourbon
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • 2 tbsps dark sesame oil
  • 2 tbsps hot sauce such as Asian chile sauce or Tobasco
  • 2 tbsps ground ginger or minced fresh ginger
  • 2 tsps garlic powder or minced fresh garlic
  • 2 tsps Chinese five-spice powder
  • 2 tbsps onion powder
  • 2 tsps red food coloring

Ribs

  • 2 slabs baby back ribs cut in half lengthwise through all the bones
  • ¼ cup honey or char siu sauce
  • chopped fresh chives for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the Marinade:
    Combine the marinade ingredients in a bowl and whisk thoroughly.
    ½ cup Hoisin sauce, ½ cup brandy, ¼ cup honey, ¼ cup soy sauce, 2 tbsps dark sesame oil, 2 tbsps hot sauce, 2 tbsps ground ginger or minced fresh ginger, 2 tsps garlic powder or minced fresh garlic, 2 tsps Chinese five-spice powder, 2 tbsps onion powder, 2 tsps red food coloring
  • Marinate the Ribs:
    Place 2 slabs of baby back ribs (cut in half lengthwise through all the bones) into a resealable plastic bag or container (you may need more than one).
    Pour the marinade over the ribs, ensuring they are well coated.
    Seal and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight, turning occasionally.
    2 slabs baby back ribs
  • Heat your cooker to 300°F. (You can also use indoor oven. Just place the ribs on a wire grate over a pan or on a broiler pan). If you are using a gas grill, turn off one or two burners and place the meat over the cool burners. If you are using a charcoal grill. set it up by banking the coals against one side for indirect cooking.
  • Remove the ribs from the marinade and cook for about 1 hour; then paint the bone side of the ribs with a coast of the honey or char siu sauce.
    ¼ cup honey or char siu sauce
  • Cook for 10 minutes, underside up; then turn the meat side up, paint with more honey or char siu sauce, and cook for another 10 minutes.
    ¼ cup honey or char siu sauce
  • Remove the ribs, let them sit for 5 minutes, cut them into individual ribs, and serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh chives.
    chopped fresh chives

Notes

The booze is important for the marinade because it helps penetrate the meat, and even if you're a teetotaler. don't worry—there isn't any measurable alcohol in the ribs. If you must skip it, use apple juice or water. You can buy char siu sauce at Chinese specialty stores, and it makes a fine glaze, but it doesn't make ribs that taste like Chinese restaurant ribs. That's because you need to marinate the meat in a thin sauce first. 

Nutrition

Calories: 747kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 46gFat: 44gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 157mgSodium: 1431mgPotassium: 685mgFiber: 2gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 65IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 104mgIron: 3mg
Keyword Cantonese Barbecue, Char Siu Ribs, Chinese BBQ Ribs, Sticky Pork Ribs
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!