Forget the usual ribs!
This recipe will take you on a journey of flavors, where the sweetness of honey blends with the tartness of lime and the savoriness of soy sauce.
Our Oven-Baked Pork Ribs with Sweet and Sour Lime and Soy Sauce Marinade are a taste explosion that will conquer your palate.
Easy to prepare and incredibly tasty, these ribs are perfect for a family dinner or a night with friends.
Thanks to the soy sauce marination, the meat will become very tender and easily fall off the bone, even with a short but intense cooking.
The marinade, rich in spices and fresh aromas, makes the meat tender and juicy, while the oven cooking gives it a golden and irresistible crust.
Prepare to lick your lips!
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Economical
- Rest time: 2 Hours
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 4
- Cooking methods: Oven, Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Autumn, Winter, and Spring, Saint Lucy
- Energy 358.35 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 1.04 (g) of which sugars 0.47 (g)
- Proteins 35.98 (g)
- Fat 22.37 (g) of which saturated 4.46 (g)of which unsaturated 6.95 (g)
- Fibers 0.13 (g)
- Sodium 349.35 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 185 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
To prepare these succulent ribs, you will need fresh and flavorful ingredients that perfectly combine to create a taste explosion.
Here’s everything you need:
- 3.3 lbs pork ribs
- 2 limes
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsps soy sauce
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 tbsp ginger powder
- 1 pinch black pepper
- to taste salt
Tools
Before starting to prepare our delicious ribs, make sure you have all the necessary tools for perfect cooking at hand.
Here’s what we will need:
- 1 Baking Dish Pyrex
- 1 Baking Tray Vespa Srl
Steps
Now that we have all the ingredients and tools ready, let’s move on to the most fun part: preparation!
Follow these simple steps to obtain succulent and flavorful oven-baked pork ribs that will leave everyone speechless.
Succulent Marinade:
Place the pork ribs in a large baking dish and evenly pour the lime juice and zest, minced garlic, olive oil, honey, soy sauce, paprika, cumin, chili pepper (if using), salt, and pepper. Mix well to ensure each rib is well coated with the marinade.
Cover the dish with plastic wrap and let it marinate at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, or ideally in the refrigerator for 2 hours or overnight, for an even more intense flavor.
Preparation for Cooking:
Transfer the marinated ribs to a baking tray lined with parchment paper, distributing them evenly.
Pour the marinade liquid into the tray as well, to keep the meat moist and flavorful during cooking.
Lightly spray the ribs with oil to encourage browning.
Cover the tray tightly with one or two sheets of aluminum foil, sealing the edges well: this step is essential to create a moist cooking environment that will make the meat tender and juicy, preventing it from drying out during prolonged cooking in the oven.
Oven Cooking:
Option 1 (quick and intense cooking):
Cook the ribs in a preheated oven at 482°F for 35-45 minutes. For the first 30 minutes, keep the tray covered with aluminum foil. Then, remove the foil and continue cooking for the last 15 minutes, or until the ribs are well browned and the meat is tender.
Option 2 (balanced cooking):
Cook the ribs in a preheated oven at 392°F for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes.
For the first 60 minutes, keep the tray covered with aluminum foil. Then, remove the foil and continue cooking for the last 15-30 minutes, or until the ribs are browned and the meat is tender.
In both cases, check the cooking by inserting a fork into the meat: if it is tender and easily falls off the bone, the ribs are ready.
Plating and Serving:
Transfer the ribs to a serving platter, garnishing them with freshly chopped herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley.
Serve the ribs hot, accompanied by side dishes of your choice such as roasted potatoes, grilled vegetables, or a fresh salad.
To make this recipe even more your own or to best preserve your delicious ribs, here are some useful tips, tasty variations, and storage suggestions.
Tips:
Intense marinade: For an even deeper flavor, let the ribs marinate in the refrigerator overnight.
Even cooking: If your ribs are not of uniform thickness, arrange them in the tray so that the thicker ones are in the center, where the heat is greater.
Extra sauce: If you want a more abundant sauce, double the marinade ingredients and reduce it in a saucepan after cooking the ribs.
Variations:
Spices: Experiment with other spices like ginger powder, coriander, or star anise for an exotic touch.
Citrus: Substitute lime with oranges or grapefruits to vary the citrus flavor.
Sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter flavor, add a tablespoon of brown sugar to the marinade.
Spiciness: For a spicy touch, increase the amount of chili powder or add a few drops of Tabasco sauce.
Aromas: add mustard for a more aromatic touch
Storage:
Refrigerator: Cooked ribs can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, in an airtight container.
Freezer: For longer storage, you can freeze cooked ribs for 2-3 months. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then in a freezer bag.
Reheating: To reheat the ribs, you can use the oven at 356°F for about 15-20 minutes, or the microwave for a few minutes.
Sauce: the remaining marinade sauce can be reused to season other meats or vegetables.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Do you still have any doubts?
Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about our delicious oven-baked pork ribs:
Can I marinate the ribs for less than 2 hours?
Yes, you can marinate the ribs for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, but a longer marination (2 hours or overnight in the refrigerator) will intensify the flavor and make the meat even more tender.
Can I use frozen pork ribs?
Yes, you can use frozen pork ribs, but you will need to completely thaw them before marinating.
The best way to thaw them is to put them in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
Avoid thawing them at room temperature or in the microwave, as this could compromise the texture of the meat.
Once thawed, proceed normally with the recipe.
Can I use another type of sauce instead of soy sauce?
Yes, you can replace soy sauce with Worcestershire sauce, Teriyaki sauce, or mustard for a more intense touch.
How do I know if the ribs are cooked?
The safest way is to use a kitchen thermometer: the internal temperature should reach about 158°F.
Alternatively, you can insert a fork into the meat: if it is tender and easily falls off the bone, the ribs are ready.Can I cook the ribs on the grill instead of in the oven?
Yes, you can cook the ribs on the grill, but you will need to monitor them closely to avoid burning. The marinade will make them very tender even if grilled at high temperatures.
Can I prepare the marinade in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the marinade in advance and store it in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
What sides can I serve with the ribs?
The ribs pair well with roasted potatoes, grilled vegetables, fresh salad, mashed potatoes, or rice.
