Indulge in the delightful harmony of sweet and sour flavors with these tender and flavorful stir-fried ribs. With various ways to prepare sweet and sour ribs, how can you ensure an authentic Northern-style taste at home? Let Pasgo Team guide you through the simple recipe below!
Making Northern-style sweet and sour ribs is surprisingly straightforward. However, if not cooked correctly, the dish can easily become dry or bitter. To ensure that everyone in the family enjoys delicious stir-fried ribs, save this PasGo recipe now!
- Total preparation time: 60 minutes
- Preparation and ingredient prep time: 45 minutes
- Cooking time: 15 minutes
1. Prepare the Ingredients (for 4-6 people)
To create the delicious and authentic Northern-style sweet and sour stir-fried ribs, you need to gather the following ingredients:
- Pork spare ribs: 1kg
- Fish sauce: 8 teaspoons
- Sugar: 10 teaspoons
- Seasoning powder: 2 teaspoons
- Vinegar or lime: 6 teaspoons
- Cool boiled water: 2/3 cup
- Vegetable oil, fish sauce, garlic, dried shallots, spring onions, chili

Choosing the right ingredients for the richly flavored Northern-style sweet and sour stir-fried ribs
2. Choosing the Pork Ribs
- Nowadays, there are various ways to acquire quality ribs, ensuring you get the best from places like Vinmart, BigC, with prices ranging from 147,000 to 280,000 VND per kilogram.
- Opt for tender ribs with ample meat. To ensure quality, the ribs should have a fresh color, no unusual odor, and exhibit a certain degree of elasticity when pressed.
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Selecting the right ribs is a crucial step for crafting delicious sweet and sour stir-fried ribs.
3. Making Northern-Style Sweet and Sour Stir-Fried Ribs
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
- Rinse the ribs thoroughly with salted water, cut into bite-sized pieces. Then blanch them in boiling water to remove any odors.
- Marinate the ribs with seasoning powder and fish sauce for about 10 minutes.
- Peel and crush the dried shallots and garlic.
- Clean and finely chop the spring onions.

Preparing Ingredients for Authentic Northern-Style Sweet and Sour Stir-Fried Ribs
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce for Northern-Style Sweet and Sour Stir-Fried Ribs
Creating the sauce is the most crucial step to determine the deliciousness of your sweet and sour stir-fried ribs.
- Add 8 tablespoons of sugar, 7 tablespoons of vinegar (or lime), garlic, chili, 2/3 cup of cool water, and fish sauce. Stir well. Adjust the seasoning to suit your taste.
- You can replace vinegar with lime or tamarind, or even tomatoes. If using lime, add it last, as prolonged cooking can introduce a bitter taste to the dish.

Making Northern-Style Sweet and Sour Stir-Fried Ribs requires the perfect sauce
Step 3: Cook the Sweet and Sour Stir-Fried Ribs Dish
- After blanching the ribs in boiling water, drain them and then fry them with cooking oil.
- Once the ribs turn slightly golden, promptly remove them.
- Sauté the dried shallots until golden, then pour the prepared sauce mixture. Simmer over low heat until it boils.
- Add the ribs to the sauce mixture and stir evenly. Let it simmer over medium heat until it thickens, then turn off the stove.

The secret to delicious sweet and sour ribs is to fry them until slightly golden.
Step 4: Presenting the Delicious Dish from Ribs
- Plate the ribs, sprinkle a bit of finely chopped fresh spring onions for enhanced aesthetics. Northern-style sweet and sour stir-fried ribs are irresistibly fragrant and pair perfectly with steamed rice.
Congratulations! You've successfully crafted a delicious dish with the authentic northern flavor of sweet and sour stir-fried ribs. Now, just plate it up and garnish according to your preferences to invite everyone for a delightful feast.

Presenting the northern-style sweet and sour stir-fried ribs for a gastronomic experience.
4. Tips for keeping your sweet and sour stir-fried ribs moist
Many people struggle with dry and tough sweet and sour ribs. To avoid this, here are some secrets to ensure your ribs turn out tender and flavorful. Let's dive into the culinary magic!
Achieving the perfect sweet and sour stir-fried ribs sauce requires a rich, visually appealing deep red hue. To accomplish this, incorporate chili paste, tomato sauce, or tomatoes.
To ensure the pork ribs stay fresh and delicious, always store the meat at a temperature between 0 - 4 degrees Celsius.
The secret to crafting delectable sweet and sour ribs lies in achieving tenderness and flavor infusion. When stir-frying the ribs, add a bit of water and simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes. This ensures the ribs are not only tasty but also tender, avoiding dryness.
Avoid over-frying the ribs to prevent burning, which can lead to dry and less appetizing results.
Hoping that the northern-style sweet and sour stir-fried ribs recipe, simple yet wonderfully aromatic, adds vibrancy to your family meals. With PasGo's introduced method, you can now effortlessly cook this dish at home. Remember to share your culinary success with PasGo and others who put effort into daily delicious pork recipes!
If you're looking to diversify flavors for your family, the southern-style sweet and sour stir-fried ribs offer a fascinating and distinctive alternative. Explore the recipe for southern-style sweet and sour ribs HERE.
>> Explore more delightful recipes at the PasGo Blog!
Phuong Nhi & Minh Phuong
