Pineapple And Molasses Spareribs Recipe (2024)

By Nigella Lawson

Pineapple And Molasses Spareribs Recipe (1)

Total Time
1 hour 30 minutes
Rating
4(146)
Notes
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Featured in: AT MY TABLE; Inspired by the Chinese, And Reshaped at Home

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings

  • 16pork spareribs
  • Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lime
  • 3tablespoons soy sauce
  • 3green Thai chilies or other small hot chilies, roughly chopped
  • 12-inch piece of ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 2tablespoons peanut oil
  • 4tablespoons molasses
  • 2star anise
  • 1cinnamon stick, broken into shards
  • 1onion, peeled and cut into eighths
  • ½cup canned pineapple juice

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

1383 calories; 108 grams fat; 34 grams saturated fat; 1 gram trans fat; 40 grams monounsaturated fat; 19 grams polyunsaturated fat; 31 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 22 grams sugars; 69 grams protein; 1501 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Pineapple And Molasses Spareribs Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Place ribs in a large plastic bag and set aside. In a bowl, combine lime zest and juice, soy sauce, chilies, ginger, oil and 2 tablespoons molasses. Add star anise, cinnamon, onion and pineapple juice, and stir to mix well. Add contents of bowl to bag, seal bag well, and refrigerate overnight.

  2. Step

    2

    Heat oven to 400 degrees. Remove ribs from refrigerator, and pour contents of bag, including marinade, into a roasting pan. Allow ribs to come to room temperature. Cover pan tightly with foil, place in oven, and bake for 1 hour, turning ribs once halfway through cooking. Remove pan from oven (leave oven on), discard foil, and carefully spoon only the liquid from pan into a saucepan. Return pan to oven, and continue to bake ribs uncovered.

  3. Step

    3

    Add remaining 2 tablespoons molasses to saucepan, and place over medium heat. Cook until mixture is foamy and syrupy, about 10 minutes.

  4. Step

    4

    Remove ribs from oven, and pour sauce over them, turning ribs until they are well coated. Transfer to a large platter, and serve.

Ratings

4

out of 5

146

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Carey

This is not how you achieve good ribs regardless of what marinade and sauce you use. The temp is way too high and the cooking time way too short. I would suggest 225 degrees for 3-4 hours with a final browning on a grill to develop a nice finish (or 450 in an oven).

Eric Ligon

I found the sauce too sweet for my taste. I added three tablespoons of cider vinegar to the pan liquid when I reduced the glaze. The result had a slight bit more bit but as still sweet and sticky. Also, I found the cooking time and temp perhaps to high and too short. The ribs were not tender and moist but somewhat dry. Next time I'll lower the temp and cook longer to the meat is more tender.

Rob

I took your suggestion and found that the ribs ended up almost too tender; i.e. the rack fell apart as I was picking it up out of the pan. Then I remembered pineapple juice is an effective meat tenderizer -- with the overnight marinade, the temperature and time in the recipe would likely work just fine. I'm going to try it as written next time.

Jg

Sauce took longer to cook down but delicious dish. Cider easily subs for pineapple juice

Polly M.

Followed the recipe as written and it was perfect. This is a new family favorite.

Serena Dubach

Cider vinegar for pineapple juice. Cook ribs much lower temp, and longer. Too much molasses?

Peggy

The ribs wete too dry. Temp way to high and a strange gritty taste. Not sure what that was all about. Sauce was watery took forever to reduce. Deleting from my recipes

Carey

This is not how you achieve good ribs regardless of what marinade and sauce you use. The temp is way too high and the cooking time way too short. I would suggest 225 degrees for 3-4 hours with a final browning on a grill to develop a nice finish (or 450 in an oven).

Rob

I took your suggestion and found that the ribs ended up almost too tender; i.e. the rack fell apart as I was picking it up out of the pan. Then I remembered pineapple juice is an effective meat tenderizer -- with the overnight marinade, the temperature and time in the recipe would likely work just fine. I'm going to try it as written next time.

Jg

Sauce took longer to cook down but delicious dish. Cider easily subs for pineapple juice

MamaJohn

Loved 'em! I try to keep the kitchen cool in the summer, so I baked the ribs and prepared the sauce in the morning and had my husband finish the ribs on the grill just before we ate.

jkn

This was very good; I served with steamed jasmine rice and Spicy Stir-fried Cabbage (from the "T-Cooking" archives) and it was truly a delicious meal. Next time I will siphon off some of the pork fat before re-coating the ribs with cooked down sauce.

Eric Ligon

I found the sauce too sweet for my taste. I added three tablespoons of cider vinegar to the pan liquid when I reduced the glaze. The result had a slight bit more bit but as still sweet and sticky. Also, I found the cooking time and temp perhaps to high and too short. The ribs were not tender and moist but somewhat dry. Next time I'll lower the temp and cook longer to the meat is more tender.

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Pineapple And Molasses Spareribs Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What makes spare ribs more tender and flavorful? ›

Generally, Pork ribs benefit from a lengthy cook time over low temperature. So don't just chuck them in the oven immediately and you don't have to necessarily use the grill from start to finish. It can be hard to control the temperature if you're not experienced enough which will result in burnt and tough meat.

What is the secret to juicy ribs? ›

Be sure to wrap the foil tightly to lock in moisture, as the steam from the ribs helps tenderize the meat, imbuing it with its own porky flavors. This is pork on pork, and one of the best ways to ensure the juiciest results. Another is the simple glaze you then prepare on the stovetop.

Why do you put brown sugar on ribs? ›

they put a dry rub on the ribs - but then around the 3:30 mark of the video - they piled brown sugar on the top half of the entire rack. They stated the brown sugar would liquify / melt down and make a molasses base on the rib. The brown sugar would draw the moisture out and penetrate the rib - adding more flavor.

Can I spray pineapple juice on ribs? ›

Place the ribs in the refrigerator for at least one hour or as long as overnight, before grilling. In a spray bottle, place the pineapple juice, vinegar and Worcestershire sauce. Remove the ribs from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes to one hour before grilling. Prepare a charcoal grill for indirect grilling.

Do you bake spare ribs covered or uncovered? ›

Do you bake ribs covered or uncovered? You can cook ribs either covered with foil or uncovered. Foil is used to stop the meat from drying out but is not essential. If cooking uncovered and you notice the meat is drying out or browning too quickly, you can cover with foil for the remaining cook time.

Do ribs get more tender the longer you cook them? ›

You can get very juicy ribs by cooking them at 135 degrees, but making them tender takes two or three days. At 160 degrees, you get tender ribs in 10 to 12 hours. At 170 to 180 degrees, the meat is noticeably dryer, but the cooking time is a more manageable 6 to 8 hours.

What do you soak ribs in to make them tender? ›

ingredients
  1. 34 cup soy sauce.
  2. 14 cup Worcestershire sauce.
  3. 2 tablespoons dry mustard (I also use prepared)
  4. 2 12 teaspoons salt.
  5. 1 tablespoon black pepper.
  6. 12 cup wine vinegar.
  7. 1 12 teaspoons parsley.
  8. 13 cup lemon juice.

What is a natural meat tenderizer for ribs? ›

Simply soak your beef cuts in these natural tenderisers before cooking, and we guarantee the beef will be fall-apart tender!
  1. 1) Tea. Tea contains tannins, which are a natural tenderiser. ...
  2. 2) Coffee. ...
  3. 3) Cola. ...
  4. 4) Pineapple, pawpaw, figs, kiwis. ...
  5. 5) Ginger. ...
  6. 6) Baking Soda. ...
  7. 7) Vinegar. ...
  8. 8) Beer or wine.
Nov 9, 2016

What is the best meat tenderizer for ribs? ›

Dry brining with baking soda is an ideal route for making slabs of ribs or roasts because it isn't time-sensitive! With this method, you can tenderize your cuts of meat with baking soda in the morning and have them ready to cook in for your afternoon barbecue or an appetizing feast at dinner.

When should I put brown sugar on ribs? ›

Pull the ribs off the smoker and grate some cold butter right over the top of them. Sprinkle with brown sugar and drizzle with honey. Then wrap the ribs up in some heavy duty foil and throw them back on the smoker for another 40 minutes or so.

What does rubbing mustard on ribs do? ›

It is said to help the rub adhere to the meat. This may be a turn off for some folks, the thought of ribs marinating in mustard may not sound the most pleasant. However, if you ever have the chance to try this method you'll be surprised to find out it does nothing to the end taste of the ribs.

Why do you put apple cider vinegar on ribs? ›

The trick is so good, she says, she sometimes does it even with really fresh, beautiful ribs. Essentially, the vinegar solution "cleanses" the meat and makes the flavors shine through without any "gamey" flavor.

Should I spray my ribs with apple juice or apple cider vinegar? ›

With that in mind, what I tend to use and find is the best spritz for smoking is apple cider vinegar but water will work as well, or a 50/50 mix. Another great alternative is apple juice where the sugars in the juice also add another level of flavour to your bark.

Can I use pineapple juice instead of apple juice for ribs? ›

Apple juice adds to the apple flavor of the rib sauce. It also creates steam inside the foil pack so the ribs don't dry out. If you don't have apple juice you can use orange or pineapple juice, stock/broth or just plain old water.

How do you get super tender ribs? ›

Cover the ribs tightly with foil then bake for 3-1/2 hours at 250 degrees. If your rack of ribs is larger than 3lbs, add an additional 30 minutes baking time per additional 1/2 — 1lb ribs. For example, bake a 3 — 4lb rack of ribs for 4 hours.

What will enhance the flavor of ribs? ›

And it's a simple rub at that: salt, pepper, brown sugar, a few spices, and one secret ingredient: ground espresso beans. They give a bitter roasted flavor that complements the malty sweetness of the sugar (“like milk and sugar are to coffee,” he likes to say).

How do you give ribs more flavor? ›

Mix brown sugar, paprika, salt, pepper, and garlic powder together in a small bowl. Rub into pork ribs. For best results, allow ribs to marinate overnight. Enjoy!

How do you add flavor to ribs? ›

I like to add in smoked paprika for a boost of wood-fired flavor as well as a gorgeous red color that pops. Onion and garlic are classic flavor enhancers. Ground mustard ends up in almost all of my rubs as a punchy, almost acidic note of brightness. My secret ingredients in my rib rub are cinnamon and celery salt.

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