Ribs with Black Vinegar Sauce

Tender pork spareribs deep-fried and braised in a flavorful sauce made with Chinese black vinegar, soy sauce, and aromatics. The ribs are first blanched, then fried until crispy, and finally simmered in a rich sauce until they become meltingly tender.

4 servings
1 hr 25 min

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds pork spareribs, cut into individual ribs
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • 12 cups peanut or vegetable oil
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 medium shallot
  • 2 tablespoons ginger
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Chinese Shaoxing wine
  • cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • cup Chinese black vinegar
  • cup reduced-sodium soy sauce

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Blanch ribs in a 4-quart pot of boiling water 4 minutes. Drain and pat dry. Whisk 1/2 teaspoon salt into cornstarch in a large bowl. Add ribs and toss.

    4 min

  2. 2.

    Heat 3 inches oil to 400°F in a 4- to 5-quart heavy pot, then fry ribs (in batches if necessary) 5 minutes per batch. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a bowl.

    15 min

  3. 3.

    Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a heavy medium saucepan over medium heat until it shimmers, then cook garlic, shallot, and ginger, stirring occasionally, until pale golden, about 2 minutes. Add brown sugar and cook, stirring, until dissolved, about 1 minute. Add wine and boil 1 minute.

    4 min

  4. 4.

    Add ribs with broth, vinegar, and soy sauce and simmer, covered, stirring and turning ribs occasionally, until tender, about 1 hour.

    60 min

  5. 5.

    Transfer ribs to a platter. Boil sauce, whisking, until thickened and emulsified, about 2 minutes; pour over ribs.

    2 min

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