Steamed Pork Ribs with Mushrooms
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Marinating Time: 30 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes | Active Time: 10 minutes | Servings: 2
This steamed pork ribs with mushrooms is a simple Chinese homestyle dish where spare ribs are steamed with dried shiitake mushrooms and goji berries until tender and juicy, with a savoury, earthy depth from the mushrooms and a gentle sweetness from the goji berries.
Watch How to Make It
Equipment
Bamboo Steamer — Amazon
What Are Goji Berries?
Goji berries are small, bright red dried berries grown in China and used widely in Chinese cooking and herbal soups. They are mildly sweet with a soft, chewy texture once they take in liquid, and they bring a gentle sweetness that balances the savoury pork and mushrooms. You can find them dried in most Asian grocery stores and in the health-food aisle of larger supermarkets.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Serves 2
- 400 grams spare ribs (400克排骨)
Pork Ribs Marinade (排骨腌料)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (2瓣蒜，切碎)
- ½ teaspoon salt (½茶匙盐)
- 1½ teaspoons light soy sauce (1.5茶匙生抽) (buy from Shopee, Lazada and Amazon)
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (1汤匙绍兴酒)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (1茶匙玉米淀粉)
- a few drops of sesame oil (芝麻油几滴) (buy from Shopee, Lazada and Amazon)
- ½ tablespoon cooking oil (½汤匙食用油)
- 1 handful (25 grams) goji berries (一把（25克）枸杞) (buy from Shopee, Lazada and Amazon)
- 5 dried shiitake mushrooms (5朵干香菇)
- 1 tablespoon ginger, julienned (1汤匙姜，切丝)
Garnish (装饰)
- 3 sprigs spring onion, diced (3根葱，切丁)
How to Make Steamed Pork Ribs with Mushrooms
Step 1 — Soak the Mushrooms
Soak the dried shiitake mushrooms in water for about 4 hours or overnight until they soften right through. Once soft, squeeze out the excess water and they are ready to use.
Tip: Soak the mushrooms the night before so they are ready when you start the ribs.
Step 2 — Marinate the Ribs
I like to use spare ribs or the soft bone area, as they turn tender after steaming. Add the minced garlic, salt, light soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, cornstarch and a few drops of sesame oil to the ribs, then rub the marinade into the meat so it absorbs all the liquid. Coat the ribs with cooking oil to lock in the moisture, then mix in the goji berries and softened mushrooms and leave to marinate for about 30 minutes.
Tip: Make sure the meat absorbs all the marinade before adding the oil. This is what keeps the ribs tender and juicy.
Step 3 — Steam
Transfer the ribs to a heatproof plate and top with the julienned ginger. Steam on high heat for about 25 minutes. If you want the meat even more tender, steam on low to medium heat for about an hour instead.
Step 4 — Garnish and Serve
Scatter the diced spring onion over the top and serve hot with steamed rice.
Tips for the Best Steamed Pork Ribs with Mushrooms
- Use spare ribs or the soft bone cut. These stay tender and juicy after steaming, unlike leaner cuts which can dry out.
- Let the meat absorb the marinade fully. Rub it in until the ribs take up all the liquid, then seal with oil so the moisture stays locked in.
- Soak the mushrooms ahead of time. They need 4 hours or overnight to soften, so plan this before you start.
- Steam low and slow for extra tender ribs. High heat for 25 minutes works, but low to medium heat for about an hour gives the softest result.
What to Serve with Steamed Pork Ribs with Mushrooms
This dish is best served hot over a bowl of steamed white rice, with the savoury juices spooned on top. Add a simple stir-fried green vegetable or a light soup on the side for a complete meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best cut of pork ribs for steaming?
Spare ribs or the soft bone area work best. They stay tender and juicy after steaming, while leaner cuts can turn dry. Ask your butcher to chop them into small bite-sized pieces.
Do I need to soak the dried mushrooms first?
Yes. Dried shiitake mushrooms need to be soaked in water for about 4 hours or overnight until soft before you add them to the ribs.
Can I use a different type of mushroom?
Yes. Dried shiitake mushrooms are the most common choice as they develop a deep, savoury flavour after soaking. Enoki or wood ear mushrooms also work. If you use wood ear mushrooms, soak until they turn soft (about 10-15 minutes.)
How do I make steamed pork ribs tender?
Rub the marinade into the meat until it is fully absorbed, then coat the ribs with a little oil to lock in the moisture. For the softest result, steam on low to medium heat for about an hour. For more tender pork ribs, marinate the pork ribs overnight. If you don’t have time to marinate overnight, add 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder.
Can I leave out the goji berries?
Yes. The goji berries add a gentle sweetness that balances the savoury pork, but the dish still works well without them.
How long should I steam pork ribs?
About 25 minutes on high heat is enough to cook the ribs through. If you prefer them more tender, steam on low to medium heat for about an hour.
How do I store leftovers?
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Resteam or microwave until hot before serving.
Tried this recipe? Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out! Don’t forget to tag @ruyiasianrecipes if you share it on social media.
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Steamed Pork Ribs with Mushrooms
Ingredients
- 400 grams spare ribs (400克排骨)
Pork Ribs Marinade (排骨腌料)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (2瓣蒜，切碎)
- ½ teaspoon salt (½茶匙盐)
- 1½ teaspoons light soy sauce (1.5茶匙生抽)
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (1汤匙绍兴酒)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (1茶匙玉米淀粉)
- a few drops of sesame oil (芝麻油几滴)
- ½ tablespoon cooking oil (½汤匙食用油)
- 1 handful (25 grams) goji berries (一把（25克）枸杞)
- 5 dried shiitake mushrooms (5朵干香菇)
- 1 tablespoon ginger, julienned (1汤匙姜，切丝)
Garnish (装饰)
- 3 sprigs spring onion, diced (3根葱，切丁)
Instructions
Step 1 — Soak the Mushrooms
- Soak the dried shiitake mushrooms in water for about 4 hours or overnight until they soften right through.
- Once soft, squeeze out the excess water and they are ready to use.
- Tip: Soak the mushrooms the night before so they are ready when you start the ribs.
Step 2 — Marinate the Ribs
- I like to use spare ribs or the soft bone area, as they turn tender after steaming.
- Add the minced garlic, salt, light soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, cornstarch and a few drops of sesame oil to the ribs, then rub the marinade into the meat so it absorbs all the liquid.
- Coat the ribs with cooking oil to lock in the moisture, then mix in the goji berries and softened mushrooms and leave to marinate for about 30 minutes.
- Tip: Make sure the meat absorbs all the marinade before adding the oil. This is what keeps the ribs tender and juicy.
Step 3 — Steam
- Transfer the ribs to a heatproof plate and top with the julienned ginger.
- Steam on high heat for about 25 minutes.
- If you want the meat even more tender, steam on low to medium heat for about an hour instead.
Step 4 — Garnish and Serve
- Scatter the diced spring onion over the top and serve hot with steamed rice.
Video
Notes
- Use spare ribs or the soft bone cut. These stay tender and juicy after steaming, unlike leaner cuts which can dry out.
- Let the meat absorb the marinade fully. Rub it in until the ribs take up all the liquid, then seal with oil so the moisture stays locked in.
- Soak the mushrooms ahead of time. They need 4 hours or overnight to soften, so plan this before you start.
- Steam low and slow for extra tender ribs. High heat for 25 minutes works, but low to medium heat for about an hour gives the softest result.
