Honey Garlic Ribs: Sticky, Sweet, Savory, and Completely Irresistible

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Few dishes capture the comforting magic of homemade comfort food like a rack of tender, sticky Honey Garlic Ribs. This recipe brings together the perfect balance of sweet honey, bold garlic, salty soy, and a touch of tangy vinegar to create a glaze that clings beautifully to every rib. Whether made for a cozy family dinner, summer cookout, game day gathering, or weekend treat, these ribs are guaranteed to disappear fast.

Honey garlic is a universal favorite — it’s sweet without being overwhelming, garlicky without being harsh, and full of deep umami thanks to soy sauce and slow-cooking caramelization. When paired with meaty pork ribs and baked low-and-slow (or cooked in the slow cooker if you want to keep things easy), the result is melt-in-your-mouth tender ribs coated in a glossy, sticky glaze that everyone will rave about.

This recipe is designed to be foolproof — even if you’ve never made ribs before. With simple pantry ingredients and hands-off cooking, you’ll have restaurant-quality ribs with almost no effort. The sauce is extremely forgiving and customizable, and the ribs become more flavorful as they cook. Whether you want oven-baked ribs, fall-off-the-bone slow cooker ribs, or grilled finish ribs, this guide covers it all.

Let’s dive into what makes these Honey Garlic Ribs unforgettable.

Why You’ll Love These Honey Garlic Ribs

1. Sticky, glossy, irresistible glaze

The sauce thickens beautifully as the ribs cook and then gets brushed on again at the end for extra shine.

2. Minimal ingredients, huge flavor

Honey + garlic + soy + vinegar = perfection.

3. Tender, juicy meat

Cooked low and slow until the ribs are perfectly soft.

4. Crowd-pleasing favorite

These are family-friendly and wildly popular at gatherings.

5. Adaptable method

Bake them, slow-cook them, or grill them — your choice.

Ingredients

For the Ribs

  • 2–2.5 lbs pork ribs (baby back or St. Louis style)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper

For the Honey Garlic Sauce

  • ½ cup honey
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or rice vinegar)
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
  • 1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water (optional thickener)

Optional Garnishes

  • Sesame seeds
  • Green onions
  • Extra honey drizzle

Instructions (Oven-Baked Version)

1. Prep the ribs.
Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs for maximum tenderness. Season ribs with salt and pepper.

2. Mix the sauce.
In a bowl, whisk honey, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, garlic, and chili flakes.

3. Arrange ribs in the pan.
Place ribs in a foil-lined baking dish. Pour ¾ of the sauce over the ribs. Cover tightly with foil.

4. Bake low and slow.
Bake at 300°F (150°C) for 2.5–3 hours, until ribs are tender.

5. Thicken the remaining sauce (optional).
Simmer leftover sauce on the stove with cornstarch slurry until glossy.

6. Brush and broil.
Brush thickened sauce over ribs and broil 3–5 minutes until caramelized.

7. Serve.
Cut into individual ribs, drizzle with remaining sauce, and garnish.

Honey Garlic Ribs

Tender, sticky, sweet, and savory honey garlic ribs baked low and slow with a glossy caramelized glaze.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main
Cuisine: American, Asian-Inspired
Calories: 510

Ingredients
  

Ribs
  • 2.5 lbs pork ribs baby back or St. Louis
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
Honey Garlic Sauce
  • 0.5 cup honey
  • 0.25 cup soy sauce
  • 0.25 cup ketchup
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • 0.5 tsp chili flakes optional
  • 1 tsp cornstarch optional, for thickening
  • 1 tbsp water for slurry

Equipment

  • Baking dish
  • Aluminum foil
  • Mixing bowl
  • Brush

Method
 

  1. Season ribs with salt and pepper and place in a foil-lined baking dish.
  2. Mix honey, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, garlic, and chili flakes.
  3. Pour 3/4 of the sauce over ribs and cover tightly with foil.
  4. Bake at 300°F (150°C) for 2.5–3 hours until tender.
  5. Thicken remaining sauce on the stove with cornstarch slurry, if desired.
  6. Brush ribs with sauce and broil for 3–5 minutes to caramelize.

Notes

For extra sticky ribs, double the sauce. Finish on the grill for smoky flavor.

Slow Cooker Version

1. Add seasoned ribs to the slow cooker.
2. Pour sauce over ribs.
3. Cook on LOW 7–8 hours or HIGH 4–5 hours.
4. Broil 5 minutes to caramelize.

Grilled Finish (Optional)

Place cooked ribs on a hot grill and brush with sauce. Grill 3–4 minutes per side for smoky caramelization.

Tips for the Best Honey Garlic Ribs

Don’t skip removing the membrane.

It ensures fall-apart tenderness.

Foil is your friend.

It traps moisture so ribs become tender rather than dry.

Low heat = perfect texture.

Slow cooking breaks down the collagen for the ideal rib consistency.

Double the sauce if you want extra glaze.

More sauce = more sticky goodness.

Finish under high heat.

Caramelization boosts flavor intensely.

Variations

Spicy Honey Garlic Ribs

Add 1–2 tsp sriracha or more chili flakes.

Asian-Inspired Sesame Ribs

Add 1 tsp sesame oil + toasted sesame seeds.

Smoky BBQ Honey Garlic Ribs

Add 2 tbsp BBQ sauce to the glaze.

Crispy Oven-Charred Ribs

Broil longer for crisp edges.

Serving Suggestions

Pairs wonderfully with:

  • Mashed potatoes
  • Coleslaw
  • Cornbread
  • Roasted vegetables
  • Rice bowls
  • Mac and cheese
  • Baked beans

Storage Instructions

Refrigerator:

Keeps 3–4 days in an airtight container.

Freezer:

Freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat low and slow, adding sauce to refresh.

Reheat:

Bake at 275°F (135°C) until warmed through, brushing with extra glaze.

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