Dora Wang's 1 2 3 4 5 Spareribs
Experience the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors in Dora Wang's 1 2 3 4 5 Spareribs, an easy-to-make Chinese-inspired dish that's as simple as its name suggests. Featuring tender pork spareribs simmered in a five-ingredient sauce—rice wine, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and water—this recipe delivers bold, mouthwatering results with minimal effort. The secret lies in searing the ribs to golden perfection before simmering them in the fragrant sauce with sliced ginger, creating a rich glaze that clings beautifully to each bite. Ready in just under an hour, these spareribs make for an irresistible centerpiece, best enjoyed with fluffy steamed rice and a sprinkle of fresh scallions. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, this dish is a satisfying showcase of simplicity and flavor.
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Ingredients
- 2 pounds Pork spareribs
- 2 tablespoons Cooking oil
- 1 tablespoon Rice wine
- 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons Rice vinegar
- 4 tablespoons Granulated sugar
- 5 tablespoons Water
- 4 slices Ginger (sliced thinly)
- 2 Scallions (optional, for garnish)
Directions
Step 1
1. Cut the pork spareribs into approximately 1.5-inch pieces. You can ask your butcher to do this or use a meat cleaver at home.
Step 2
2. Rinse the ribs under cold water and pat dry using paper towels.
Step 3
3. Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat.
Step 4
4. Add the spareribs to the skillet and sear them until they are golden brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 5
5. Push the ribs to the side of the pan and add the ginger slices. Sauté the ginger for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 6
6. In a small bowl, combine the rice wine, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and water to create the 1-2-3-4-5 sauce.
Step 7
7. Pour the sauce over the spareribs and stir to coat them evenly.
Step 8
8. Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet or wok and let the ribs simmer for 30-35 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking and prevent the sauce from sticking.
Step 9
9. After 30-35 minutes, remove the lid and turn the heat up to medium-high. Let the sauce reduce and thicken, glazing the ribs. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Keep stirring to avoid burning.
Step 10
10. Transfer the spareribs to a serving plate and garnish with chopped scallions if desired. Serve hot with steamed rice or vegetables.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1200.8g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 4107.1 |
| Total Fat 347.6g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 121.0g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g | |
| Cholesterol 952.5mg | 0% |
| Sodium 1904.5mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 59.0g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 1.4g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 52.1g | |
| Protein 139.1g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 232.4mg | 0% |
| Iron 8.2mg | 0% |
| Potassium 2205.4mg | 0% |
Source of Calories