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Braised Pork Ribs

This 11-step Chinese braised pork ribs recipe guarantees tender meat with glossy caramelized glaze. Using soy sauce, rice wine, and rock sugar, our method perfects texture control and sauce thickness – ideal for mastering authentic braising techniques. Includes pro tips for first-time cooks.

Ingredients

Pork ribs: 300g
Potatoes: 3 medium (450g)
Salt: 5g (1 tsp)
Braising soy sauce: 30ml
Light soy sauce: 30ml
Oyster sauce: 30ml
Rock sugar: 20g
Star anise: 2 pcs
Bay leaves: 2 pcs
Cinnamon stick: 5cm
Scallion/Ginger/Garlic: 20g each
Dried chili: 4 pcs (reduce to 2 for mild flavor)
Cooking oil: 15ml
Sichuan peppercorn: 1g (½ tsp)

Step 1

Soak ribs in water for 30 minutes to remove blood impurities. Thoroughly rinse. Place in a pot with cold water, add ginger slices and 1 tbsp (15ml) cooking wine to deodorize.

Step 2

Prep aromatics: Finely chop scallion (separate white/green parts), slice ginger into coins, mince garlic. Measure out star anise, bay leaves, cinnamon stick, Sichuan peppercorns and dried chilies.

Step 3

Heat 15ml cooking oil in wok over medium heat. Add 20g rock sugar and stir constantly to make caramel (tángsè) until amber-colored.

Step 4

Add ribs to caramelized sugar. Pan-fry until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.

Step 5

Add prepared aromatics (star anise, bay leaves, cinnamon stick, Sichuan peppercorns, dried chilies). Stir-fry over low heat until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Step 6

Pour in 30ml red-cooking soy sauce (hóngshāo jiàngyóu) to develop rich color and enhance umami flavor.

Season with 15ml light soy sauce, oyster sauce and salt

Step 7

Season with 15ml light soy sauce (shēngchōu), 10ml oyster sauce (háoyóu), and 3g salt to balance the flavor profile.

Add 500ml water to fully submerge the ribs simmer for 25 minutes

Step 8

Add 500ml water to fully submerge the ribs. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes.

Step 9

Add cubed potatoes and continue simmering for 15 minutes.

Step 10

Simmer until potatoes turn fork-tender (about 15 minutes), then transfer to serving dish.

Step 11

These succulent ribs boast incredible flavor! The aromatic steam will fill your entire kitchen as it cooks, with caramelized edges delivering a delicate sweetness.