Aunt Marion'S Hawaiian Short Ribs
A hearty Hawaiian-inspired short ribs dish featuring tender meat in a sweet and tangy glaze, perfect for family dinners and hearty gatherings with rice or noodles.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups flour ⓘ
- 3 teaspoons salt ⓘ
- freshly ground black pepper ⓘ
- 5 pounds meaty short ribs, cut into 3-inch pieces ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons butter ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons oil ⓘ
- 1/2 cup sugar ⓘ
- 2 onions ⓘ
- 3/4 cup catsup ⓘ
- 3/4 cup water ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons vinegar ⓘ
- 1/4 cup soy sauce ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon chili powder ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Mix the flour with two tablespoons of salt and pepper to taste.
- Dredge the short ribs in the flour mixture to coat.
- Heat butter and oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the coated ribs and brown on all sides.
- Transfer the browned ribs to a roasting pan, arranging them in a single layer.
- Sprinkle sliced onions over the ribs.
- In a bowl, combine catsup, water, vinegar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, chili powder, remaining salt, and pepper.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the ribs and onions in the roasting pan.
- Cover the pan tightly and bake for three hours or until the ribs are very tender.
- Carefully skim off any fat from the surface of the sauce before serving.
- Serve the ribs with noodles or rice.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, consider adding crushed garlic or fresh herbs like thyme to the sauce mixture. If you're looking for a lighter option, you can replace the sugar with honey or maple syrup. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour to coat the ribs. Make sure to brown the ribs well for a richer flavor before baking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these flavorful ribs over a bed of steamed rice or egg noodles to soak up the delicious sauce. Pair with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad for balance. For a comforting meal, consider serving with a dish like Tomatoes With Corn Pudding, which complements the rich flavors of the ribs beautifully.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover Hawaiian short ribs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the ribs in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat them gently in a saucepan over low heat with a splash of water to keep them moist.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Aunt Marion'S Hawaiian Short Ribs contains roughly 1039 calories, with 10g protein, 61g carbohydrates, and 88g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (34% of the Daily Value), iron (31% of the Daily Value), and protein (21% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different cut of meat for this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute meaty short ribs with other cuts like chuck roast or beef brisket. Just ensure that the cut you choose has enough marbling to keep the meat tender during the long cooking process.
How can I make the ribs spicier?
To add more heat, increase the amount of chili powder in the sauce or include some crushed red pepper flakes. You could also add a dash of hot sauce or sriracha to the sauce mixture for that extra kick.
Is there a vegetarian alternative to this dish?
For a vegetarian version, consider using meaty mushrooms like portobello or a combination of hearty vegetables such as eggplant and zucchini. You can use a similar sauce to keep the flavor profile while making it suitable for vegetarian diets.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).