These Honey Garlic Ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender baby back ribs slow-baked to perfection, then glazed with a sticky, sweet-savory honey garlic sauce that caramelizes beautifully. Bursting with garlic, honey, soy, and a hint of spice, they’re finger-licking good and perfect for game day, family dinners, or anytime you crave ultimate comfort food! 🍯🧄🍖

Feast your eyes on these irresistible sticky honey garlic ribs:

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours (mostly hands-off) + 10 minutes glazing
Total Time: About 3 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 4–6
Calories per serving: Approximately 600–750 kcal (varies by portion)

Ingredients

For the Ribs:

• 2 racks baby back ribs (about 3–4 lbs total)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional, for extra smokiness)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp chili powder (optional, for mild heat)

For the Honey Garlic Sauce:

• ½ cup honey
• ¼ cup soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• 2 tbsp hoisin sauce (optional, adds depth)
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a kick)

Instructions

1. Prep the Ribs: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Remove the silver skin (membrane) from the back of the ribs: Slide a knife under it at one end and pull it off with a paper towel for grip. Pat the ribs dry.
2. Season: Rub the ribs generously on both sides with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder (if using).
3. Slow Bake: Place the ribs on a large foil-lined baking sheet (bone-side down). Cover tightly with another layer of foil. Bake for 2.5–3 hours, until the meat is very tender and pulls away from the bone easily.
4. Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: While the ribs bake, combine honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce (if using), sesame oil, ground ginger, and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Simmer for 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened and glossy.
5. Glaze the Ribs: Remove the top foil from the ribs. Brush generously with the honey garlic sauce on both sides.
6. Finish for Caramelization: Preheat your grill to medium or your broiler to high. Grill the ribs for 5–7 minutes per side (or broil 5–7 minutes total, flipping halfway), basting with more sauce and turning to prevent burning. Watch closely—the sugars caramelize fast!
7. Rest & Serve: Let the ribs rest for 5–10 minutes. Slice into individual ribs. Serve with extra sauce on the side, sesame seeds, and chopped green onions if desired.

Tips for Success

• Make Ahead: Bake the ribs a day ahead, glaze, and refrigerate. Finish under the broiler or on the grill when ready.
• Variations: Add a splash of lime juice to the sauce for brightness, or use fresh grated ginger instead of ground.
• Serving Ideas: Pair with coleslaw, corn on the cob, rice, or roasted veggies to balance the richness.
• Pro Tip: For extra sticky glaze, brush and baste multiple times during the final cooking step.

These honey garlic ribs are sticky, garlicky perfection—tender, flavorful, and impossible to resist! Enjoy every bite! 🍯✨