Chef John’s Teriyaki Ribs – Sticky, Sweet, and Fall-Off-the-Bone Delicious

These Teriyaki Ribs are the ultimate fusion of tender, slow-cooked pork and the bold, sweet-savory punch of Japanese-style teriyaki sauce. Whether you’re firing up the grill or baking them in the oven, these ribs are irresistibly sticky, perfectly caramelized, and totally crowd-pleasing.

🐷 Ingredients (Servings: 4)

For the Ribs:

2–3 lbs pork baby back ribs or St. Louis-style ribs
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon oil (if searing first)

For the Teriyaki Sauce:

¾ cup low-sodium soy sauce
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup honey
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons mirin (optional)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (for slurry)
1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
Sesame seeds & chopped green onions, for garnish

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Prep the Ribs:
🔪 Remove the silver membrane from the back of the ribs. Pat dry and season lightly with salt and pepper. Let rest while preparing the sauce.

2️⃣ Make the Teriyaki Sauce:
🍶 In a saucepan, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, rice vinegar, mirin, garlic, and ginger. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
🌡️ Mix the cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Stir into sauce and simmer until thickened. Add sesame oil if desired.

3️⃣ Cook the Ribs:
🔥 Oven Method: Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Place ribs on a foil-lined baking sheet, cover with foil, and bake for 2½–3 hours until tender.
🔥 Grill Method: Grill ribs over indirect heat, covered, for 2½ hours, turning occasionally.

4️⃣ Glaze and Finish:
🧴 Brush ribs generously with teriyaki sauce. Broil in the oven or grill over direct heat for 5–10 minutes until caramelized, brushing with more sauce as needed.

5️⃣ Serve:
🌿 Slice into portions and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve with rice, stir-fried veggies, or a crisp Asian slaw.

📦 Amazon Must-Haves to help you create the best Teriyaki Ribs

🔪 Boning Knife – Helps trim and prep ribs easily.
🧴 Silicone Basting Brush – Great for saucing without mess.
🧂 Asian Sauce Set – Includes soy sauce, mirin, and rice vinegar.
🧄 Garlic Press & Grater Combo – Speeds up prep of fresh garlic and ginger.
🧤 Heat-Resistant Grill Gloves – Protect your hands when grilling or broiling.
🍚 Rice Cooker – Serve your ribs with fluffy, perfect rice every time.

💡 Helpful Tip

Make the sauce ahead of time and store in the fridge for up to a week — perfect for brushing on other proteins like chicken thighs or tofu.