Mastering Boneless Pork Ribs with Ah So Sauce at Home

As a backyard barbecue aficionado, I’m always on the hunt for mouthwatering new recipes to add to my grilling repertoire One dish that has become a new favorite is boneless pork ribs smothered in sweet, sticky Ah So sauce This Chinese restaurant classic is easy to recreate at home for next-level flavor.

In this article, I’ll share my foolproof method for making juicy fork-tender boneless ribs bathed in savory Ah So sauce. With just a few simple ingredients and techniques, you can have these craveworthy ribs on the table any night of the week. Let’s get cooking!

Why Go Boneless?

While bone-in pork ribs have an undeniable appeal boneless ribs offer some advantages

Shorter cook time – No need to tenderize tough connective tissue.
Easy prep – No membrane removal or trimming of bone.
Kid-friendly – Easy for little hands to pick up and eat.
Portion control – Individual ribs are easy to serve.

For weeknight convenience or party appetizers, boneless ribs are where it’s at. You still get the same delicious flavor in an easier package.

Selecting Boneless Ribs

For the best results, choose meaty boneless country-style ribs or boneless loin back ribs. Avoid scrawny pieces or ribs with large areas of visible fat.

Look for ribs that are:

At least 1/2 inch thick
Pale pink in color
Evenly trimmed and uniform in shape
Free of bone fragments or cartilage

Well-marbled boneless ribs with a nice fat cap will be juicy and flavorful.

Seasoning the Ribs

Start with 1.5 lbs of boneless pork ribs for 4 servings. Before cooking, season the ribs all over with:

1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder

This simple blend amplifies the pork flavor and gives a good crust when seared.

For more zing, add a pinch of cayenne pepper. Customize the seasoning to your taste.

Searing for Maximum Flavor

To take these ribs over the top, I like to sear them first for caramelized flavor.

Coat ribs lightly in oil.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add ribs in a single layer and cook 2-3 minutes per side until browned.

Searing creates a beautiful crust and enhances juiciness. Use a nonstick pan for best results.

Smother in Sweet Ah So Sauce

The hallmark of this dish is the addictive Ah So sauce. To make it:

Whisk together 1/2 cup hoisin sauce, 1/4 cup honey, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 3 tbsp ketchup, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1 tsp minced garlic, and a pinch of five-spice powder.
Generously brush sauce over both sides of ribs.

You can also use store-bought Ah So sauce for convenience. Just be sure to coat the ribs fully.

Oven Baked Perfection

To finish cooking, bake the sauced ribs in a 350°F oven:

Place ribs in a baking dish or sheet pan lined with foil or parchment paper.
Bake for 45-60 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until ribs reach an internal temperature of 145°F.

The sauce will caramelize beautifully under the broiler. For extra glaze, brush with more sauce 5 minutes before removing from oven.

Let ribs rest 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Make Them in a Pressure Cooker

For an even quicker cook time, use a pressure cooker like the Instant Pot.

Add 1 cup water and a steamer basket to pot. Place seasoned ribs in basket.
Pressure cook on high for 15 minutes. Allow natural release for 5 minutes.
Remove ribs and coat with Ah So sauce. Broil 3-5 minutes to finish.

Perfectly tender in under 30 minutes! The sauce gets deliciously sticky under the broiler.

Skewer for Portability

For party-friendly rib appetizers, thread sauced boneless ribs onto skewers.

Thread ribs accordion-style onto soaked bamboo skewers, leaving a tiny space between each rib.
Lay skewers on a foil-lined baking sheet and broil for 8-10 minutes until sizzling and caramelized.

The Ah So glaze lacquers each rib for finger-licking goodness. Kids and guests will love them!

Try Serving Over Rice

For an easy meal, serve boneless ribs over steamed white or fried rice. The sweet sauce flavors every bite.

Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for extra flair. Offer lime wedges for squeezing over the top.

Make Your Own Ah So Sauce

You can easily recreate Ah So magic at home with this homemade sauce:

In a small saucepan, whisk together 1/2 cup hoisin sauce, 1/4 cup honey, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp minced garlic, 1 tsp sesame oil and 1/4 tsp five-spice powder.
Simmer over medium heat 5 minutes until thickened.

Adjust ingredients to suit your taste. Store extras in the fridge for weeks of rib saucing!

Perfecting Pork Perfection

With this easy method, you can satisfy any boneless rib craving at home. Searing, saucing and oven baking is all it takes for finger-licking results.

For the juiciest, most flavorful ribs, remember to:

Choose nicely marbled country-style or loin back ribs
Season ribs all over before searing
Sear ribs in a hot skillet before saucing
Smother ribs fully in savory Ah So sauce
Bake in a moderate oven until cooked through

Now go enjoy these craveworthy ribs with family and friends! The sweet and sticky coating takes them over the top.

Chinese BBQ spareribs recipe takeaway style

FAQ

Should I put BBQ sauce on pork ribs before cooking?

You will want to add barbecue sauce to your ribs during the final 20-30 minutes of cooking. While brushing on sauce just remember, don’t drown your ribs. If you are like me and love more sauce, there is no reason you can’t serve even more on the side.

What flavor is ah so sauce?

This garlicky, sweet, sticky, brightly red marinade is popular in the Northeast United States.

What is Chinese boneless spare ribs sauce made of?

Mix hoisin sauce, ketchup, honey, soy sauce, sake, rice vinegar, lemon juice, ginger, garlic, and five-spice powder together in a shallow glass dish. Place ribs in the dish and turn to coat.

What can I put on ribs instead of BBQ sauce?

Fruit-based sauces are a great option for people looking to cut down the acid content in tomato base sauces like the BBQ. These sauces use fruits like pineapples, mangos, apricots, apples, and even peaches to enhance the taste while doing away with the need to add granulated sugar.

How do you cook Boneless Ribs in a crock pot?

1. Preheat over to 350 degrees 2. Place boneless ribs in a 9″x13″ baking dish, season with salt and pepper 3. Spread 2/3 of the Ah-So sauce over the ribs 4. Cover baking dish with foil and bake for 2 hours. 5. Carefully remove from over and take off the foil. Increase oven temperature to 425F. 6.

Can you make kabobs with boneless ribs?

Boneless country-style ribs also make great meat for kabobs. Just cut each rib into chunks and place them onto skewers to make the kabobs. Make the marinade by combining all the ingredients in a bowl. Place all the ribs into a heavy-duty gallon bag. Be sure to place the sealed bag of ribs and marinade into a bowl before refrigeration.

How long does it take to cook boneless spare ribs?

These boneless spare ribs are done in less than 20 minutes in the oven and only 8 minutes using an air fryer! Faster then take out and tastier, too! Combine the ingredients for the marinade (everything except the BBQ sauce) in a large plastic resealable bag. Add the pork strips and marinate at least 6 hours or overnight. (Overnight is recommended)

Can I use boneless pork ribs?

First, start with the pork. You can use either boneless pork spare ribs if you can find them (boneless pork country ribs are likely easier to locate) or, boneless pork loin like I did here. Using pork loin will also keep the fat content a bit lower in the recipe.