Ohhh yes — sticky honey garlic ribs are elite comfort food. 😋
Here’s a fall-off-the-bone, sweet-savory, super sticky version that works great in the oven (no grill required).
🍯 Sticky Honey Garlic Ribs
🥩 Ingredients
Ribs
- 2–2½ lbs pork ribs (baby back or spare ribs)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional but 🔥)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
Honey Garlic Sauce
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce (low sodium if you have it)
- 4–6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil (optional, adds depth)
- ½ tsp chili flakes (optional heat)
🔥 Instructions
1. Prep the Ribs
- Preheat oven to 300°F / 150°C.
- Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs (this helps them get tender).
- Mix salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Rub seasoning all over the ribs.
2. Slow Bake (Tender Stage)
- Place ribs on a foil-lined baking tray.
- Cover tightly with foil.
- Bake for 2½–3 hours, until ribs are very tender.
3. Make the Sticky Honey Garlic Sauce
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine all sauce ingredients.
- Simmer 5–8 minutes, stirring often, until slightly thick and glossy.
- Taste and adjust — more honey for sweetness, vinegar for tang.
4. Glaze & Caramelize
- Remove ribs from oven and uncover.
- Brush generously with sauce.
- Increase oven to 425°F / 220°C (or use broiler).
- Bake uncovered 10–15 minutes, flipping once and brushing more sauce, until sticky and caramelized (watch closely!).
✨ Finish & Serve
- Brush with extra sauce
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds or chopped green onions
- Serve with rice, fries, or coleslaw
🔥 Pro Tips
- Want them extra sticky? Save some sauce and brush again right before serving.
- Like heat? Add sriracha or gochujang to the sauce.
- Works amazing on the grill too — just finish over medium heat.
If you want a slow cooker, air fryer, or BBQ grill version, say the word 😏