English Sweet and Sour Ribs

Discover the perfect balance of tangy and sweet with these flavorful English Sweet and Sour Ribs! This hearty dish features tender, fall-off-the-bone pork spare ribs simmered in a luscious sauce made from tomato puree, brown sugar, malt vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. The recipe starts with a beautiful sear to lock in flavor, followed by slow cooking to achieve melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. The sweet and tangy sauce thickens to a glossy perfection, making each bite irresistibly juicy and bold. Ready in under two hours, this dish is perfect for a family dinner or special occasion. Serve with steamed rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up every drop of the rich, savory sauce. With easy-to-follow steps and simple ingredients, these Sweet and Sour Ribs will quickly become a favorite on your recipe rotation.

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:110 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1.5 kg pork spare ribs
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 small, finely chopped onion
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 3 tbsp tomato puree
• 4 tbsp brown sugar
• 4 tbsp malt vinegar
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 200 ml water
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp water for cornstarch slurry
• 0.5 tbsp fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Cut the pork spare ribs into individual pieces and season them with salt and black pepper.

Step 2

In a large skillet or frying pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, brown the ribs in batches to ensure they're evenly seared. Remove the browned ribs and set them aside.

Step 3

In the same pan, reduce the heat to medium and add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant and softened, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4

Stir in the tomato puree, brown sugar, malt vinegar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and 200 ml of water. Mix well to create the sweet and sour sauce.

Step 5

Return the seared ribs to the pan and coat them evenly with the sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with a lid, and let the ribs cook for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally. This slow cooking allows the ribs to become tender and absorb the flavors.

Step 7

After 1 hour, check the sauce consistency. If it's too thin, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry, and stir it into the sauce. Cook for a few more minutes until the sauce thickens.

Step 8

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Add a bit of salt or vinegar for balance, if needed.

Step 9

Serve the ribs hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired. Pair with steamed rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread for a complete meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2079.8 grams (2079.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4970

Total Fat 377.60g	484%
Saturated Fat 131.30g	657%
Polyunsaturated Fat 16.80g
Cholesterol 1320mg	440%
Sodium 2625mg	114%
Total Carbohydrate 66.60g	24%
Dietary Fiber 3.30g	12%
Total Sugars 44.40g
Protein 312.00g	624%

Vitamin D 660IU	3300%
Calcium 453mg	35%
Iron 19mg	107%
Potassium 4054mg	86%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 69.2%

Protein: 25.4%

Carbs: 5.4%