Part of our comprehensive guide
The Complete Guide to Sugar Alternatives: Everything You Need to Know →Jaca Sweet BBQ Ribs
Fall-off-the-bone pork spare ribs with a Jaca-sweetened Asian-inspired BBQ sauce — sticky, glossy, and incredible.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup Jaca (allulose) (for the sauce)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, freshly grated
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (mixed with 2 tablespoons water for slurry)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 racks pork spare ribs (about 4-5 lbs total)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Sweetener Used
3/4 cup Jaca Allulose
Replaces: 3/4 cup regular sugar
Instructions
- 1
Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together Jaca, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, ketchup, and water until fully combined.
- 2
Simmer: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Let it cook for 5-7 minutes to meld flavors.
- 3
Thicken: Stir in the cornstarch slurry and continue to simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens to a goopy, glossy consistency.
- 4
Adjust: Taste and adjust with more Jaca for sweetness or soy sauce for saltiness, if desired. Set aside to cool slightly. The sauce will thicken further as it cools.
- 5
Prep Ribs: Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs. Pat ribs dry and season both sides with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
- 6
Bake Low and Slow: Place ribs on a foil-lined baking sheet, meat side up. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 2.5-3 hours, until tender but not falling apart.
- 7
Apply Sauce: Remove ribs from oven and increase temperature to 400°F (200°C). Brush a generous layer of Jaca BBQ sauce over the ribs, reserving some sauce for serving.
- 8
Caramelize: Return ribs to the oven, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes, until the sauce is sticky and slightly caramelized. Optionally, broil for 2-3 minutes for extra char, watching closely to avoid burning.
- 9
Serve: Let ribs rest for 5 minutes, then slice between bones. Serve with extra Jaca BBQ sauce on the side.
Pro Tips
- For extra flavor, marinate ribs in 1/2 cup of the sauce overnight before baking.
- Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.