Steamed Cantonese-Style Pork Ribs with Black Bean Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Delicately steamed pork ribs infused with fermented black beans and garlic, resulting in tender, flavorful bites typical of Cantonese dim sum. This Chinese-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, pairs pork spare ribs, fermented black beans, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 35 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine 1 lb bite-sized pork spare ribs with 1 tbsp cornstarch, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, 1 tsp sugar, 1/4 tsp white pepper, and 1 tsp sesame oil. Mix well and marinate for 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a small pan over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp mashed fermented black beans; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Remove from heat and stir into the pork ribs.
  3. Step 3: Arrange the pork ribs evenly in a heatproof dish suitable for steaming. Place the dish in a steamer preheated to boiling water.
  4. Step 4: Steam the pork ribs over high heat for 25 minutes until tender and cooked through.
  5. Step 5: Carefully remove the dish from the steamer and serve hot, optionally garnished with chopped scallions or cilantro.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Steamed Cantonese-Style Pork Ribs with Black Bean Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (35 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Steamed Cantonese-Style Pork Ribs with Black Bean Sauce?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pork spare ribs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Steamed Cantonese-Style Pork Ribs with Black Bean Sauce?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Steamed Cantonese-Style Pork Ribs with Black Bean Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Steamed Cantonese-Style Pork Ribs with Black Bean Sauce?

Chinese pork like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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