Honey Garlic Ribs

Ingredients:

• 2 racks of pork ribs (about 4-5 pounds total)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup honey
• 1/2 cup soy sauce (use low-sodium if preferred)
• 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
• Chopped green onions and sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Ribs:
   • Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs if it’s still attached. Season the ribs generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
2. Make the Honey Garlic Sauce:
   • In a bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger (if using), and red pepper flakes (if using). This will be your marinade and sauce.
3. Marinate the Ribs:
   • Place the seasoned ribs in a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour half of the honey garlic sauce over the ribs, making sure they are evenly coated. Reserve the other half of the sauce for later.
4. Marinate the Ribs:
   • Marinate the ribs in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat.
5. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
6. Bake the Ribs:
   • Place the marinated ribs on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper, meaty side up. Cover the ribs tightly with another sheet of foil to create a sealed packet.
7. Cook the Ribs:
   • Bake the ribs in the preheated oven for about 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the meat is tender and easily pulls away from the bones.
8. Finish on the Grill (Optional):
   • If you prefer a charred and caramelized exterior, preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
   • Remove the ribs from the oven and carefully unwrap them from the foil packet.
   • Place the ribs directly on the grill and brush them with the reserved honey garlic sauce. Grill for about 5-10 minutes, turning occasionally and basting with more sauce, until the ribs are nicely caramelized and slightly charred.
9. Serve:
   • Transfer the grilled ribs to a cutting board and let them rest for a few minutes before slicing into individual ribs.
   • Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
   • Serve hot, with extra honey garlic sauce on the side for dipping.

Tips for Success:

• Choosing Ribs: Baby back ribs or spare ribs both work well for this recipe. Baby back ribs tend to be more tender, while spare ribs have more flavor.
• Marinating Time: Longer marinating time (overnight if possible) enhances the flavor and tenderness of the ribs.
• Grill or Oven: While grilling adds a nice smoky flavor and caramelization, you can achieve tender ribs by baking them entirely in the oven if you prefer.
• Sauce Consistency: If the honey garlic sauce thickens too much while marinating, you can gently warm it up to thin it out before using.

Enjoy these delicious honey garlic ribs as a main dish for a family dinner or a crowd-pleasing option at your next barbecue!