Description
Craving an authentic Vietnamese braised dish that isn’t too heavy? Try these tender pork spare ribs braised with pineapple. My husband and kids aren’t big fans, but who cares! I absolutely love it. The sweet tartness of the pineapple perfectly offsets the richness. It’s also perfect for meal prep since the leftovers taste even better on day two.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 3 lbs pork spare ribs strips
- 2 tablespoons minced shallot or yellow onion
- 1 tablespoons minced garlic (about 4 cloves)
- 4 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon thick soy sauce or Vietnamese caramel cooking sauce
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 8 oz finely sliced pineapple (about 1/4 pineapple, no core)
- 1 large green onion (thinly sliced; whites/greens separated)
Instructions
- Marinate: Chop the pork strips into bite-sized pieces by cutting between the bones. Optionally, rinse the ribs under warm tap water until the water runs clear to remove any strong porky smell and impurities. Toss the spare ribs in a bowl with the minced shallot, garlic, fish sauce, oyster sauce, black pepper, thick soy sauce, sugar (use half for now), and the white parts of the green onion. Mix well and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes. You can also marinate overnight in the fridge for better flavor.
- Braise: Transfer the pork ribs and all of their marinade into a wide skillet. Cook over high heat until the mixture comes to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and cover. Simmer for 20 minutes.
- Reduce the sauce: After 20 minutes, lower the heat to a simmer and let it cook uncovered. The pineapple will release its natural juices and reduce down into a darker glaze (about additional 20 minutes). Taste test and add remaining sugar if needed.
- Garnish and serve: Turn off the heat. Toss in the reserved green parts of the green onion and more freshly ground black pepper for that final aroma. Serve with warm steamed rice and optional side vegetable dishes for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian, Vietnamese