Steamed Spare Ribs with Fermented Black Beans and Garlic
Tender pork spare ribs steamed with fermented black beans, garlic, and aromatic seasonings for a classic Cantonese appetizer. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 55 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb pork spare ribs
- 2 tbsp fermented black beans
- 4 cloves garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp ginger
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 stalks green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse and cut 1 lb pork spare ribs into 2-inch pieces. Mince 4 garlic cloves and 1 tbsp ginger finely. Mash 2 tbsp fermented black beans slightly with a fork.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the ribs with 2 tbsp fermented black beans, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp minced ginger, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, 1 tbsp cornstarch, 1/4 tsp white pepper, 1 tsp sugar, and 1 tsp sesame oil. Mix well and marinate for 30 minutes.
- Step 3: Arrange the marinated ribs in a single layer on a heatproof plate suitable for steaming. Steam over boiling water for 20 minutes covered with a lid, until ribs are tender.
- Step 4: While steaming, finely slice 2 green onions and set aside for garnish.
- Step 5: Serve the steamed ribs hot, garnished with sliced green onions for a fragrant and savory bite classic in Cantonese home cooking.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Steamed Spare Ribs with Fermented Black Beans and Garlic take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (35 min prep + 20 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 Spare Ribs with Fermented Black Beans and Garlic?
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 Spare Ribs with Fermented Black Beans and Garlic?
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 Spare Ribs with Fermented Black Beans and Garlic 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 Spare Ribs with Fermented Black Beans and Garlic?
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.
