Cal'S Sweet Sour Spareribs

Cook: 150 min Cuisine: Chinese

Sweet and tangy spareribs with a rich glaze, featuring flavors of soy, vinegar, and brown sugar; perfect for family dinners or gatherings craving bold tastes.

Be the first to rate this recipe

Ingredients

  • 3 lb. pork spareribs
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup shoyu
  • 1/3 cup vinegar
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • garlic

Instructions

  1. Mix all ingredients in a deep pot and bring to a boil.
  2. Reduce heat to simmer and cook until the meat is tender, about 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

Tips & Substitutions

For best results, use a sturdy pot to ensure even cooking. If you want to reduce sweetness, cut down on the sugar and brown sugar by a couple of tablespoons. You can also substitute the shoyu with soy sauce, though this may alter the flavor slightly. Adding a few cloves of minced garlic can enhance the dish's aroma and taste.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these sweet and sour spareribs with steamed rice to soak up the flavorful sauce. They pair wonderfully with Pork Egg Rolls for a complete meal. For a refreshing contrast, consider a side of lightly dressed coleslaw or pickled vegetables. Garnish with chopped green onions for added flavor.

Storage & Reheating

Allow the spareribs to cool completely before storing. Place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm in a pot on low heat, adding a splash of water to keep them moist, or cover and microwave in short intervals until heated through.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Cal'S Sweet Sour Spareribs contains roughly 419 calories, with 5g protein, 84g carbohydrates, and 1g fat. It is a good source of iron (18% of the Daily Value), potassium (12% of the Daily Value), and protein (10% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2919mg per serving (127% of the Daily Value).

419 kcal 21% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 5.1g 10% DV
Total Fat 0.7g 1% DV
Carbs 84.5g 31% DV
Fiber 1.1g 4% DV
Sugar 70.5g 100% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 2918.8mg 100% DV
Potassium 567.3mg 12% DV
Cholesterol 1mg

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 0.2mcg
Vitamin C 7.3mg 8% DV
Vitamin D 0mcg
Calcium 132.9mg 10% DV
Iron 3.2mg 18% DV
Diet fit Low-fat

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 pork for this recipe?

Yes, you can use pork belly or country-style ribs, but cooking times may vary. Ensure the meat is tender and cooked through before serving.

What can I do if the sauce is too sweet?

If the sauce turns out too sweet, you can balance it by adding a little more vinegar or a splash of soy sauce, which will help cut the sweetness and add depth.

Is this recipe suitable for freezing?

Absolutely! Once fully cooled, you can freeze the cooked spareribs in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

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).

Chinese recipes → Pork recipes → All recipes →