This Sprite Plum Spare Ribs recipe is a hit on social media for its refreshing and appetizing taste
If there are a few must-try dishes in any home cooking recipe, spare ribs are definitely one of them. But have you ever tried spare ribs with Sprite and preserved plums? While you may have tried sweet and sour spare ribs or braised spare ribs before, the combination of spare ribs with Sprite and preserved plums takes on a whole new flavor and will leave you stunned.
Some call this dish “sweet and sour, refreshing,” while others consider it a “great companion to rice.” Just hearing the name makes you want to order takeout. In short, this dish has gone viral on social media and has become a new favorite for many families.
Spare ribs: a versatile old friend
Spare ribs are a delicious ingredient no matter how you cook them. They are delicious when stewed in clear soup, fragrant when braised in brown sauce, and crispy when fried… They are like a versatile actor that will never let you down.
However, after eating it enough, you’ll find that the traditional recipe is somewhat “heavy.” Sweet and sour spare ribs are delicious, but too much can be greasy; braised spare ribs are flavorful, but even a large bowl can leave you feeling full. So people began to wonder: Is there a way to preserve the ribs’ flavor while still leaving them light and refreshing? The answer is: Sprite Plum Spare Ribs.
Sprite: A refreshing partner for spare ribs
When you first hear about adding Sprite to a pot, many people might react with something like, “What? A beverage can be used in cooking?” Don’t worry, listen up. Sprite’s sweetness and bubbles soften the meat, making the ribs more tender and flavorful. And its refreshing lemony aroma counteracts the greasiness of the ribs, giving them a sweet and sour flavor.
What’s even more amazing is that it can help color the ribs during the cooking process, making them look crystal clear and enough to make you drool just by looking at them.
Preserved plums: the finishing touch of sweet and sour aftertaste
If Sprite is the refreshing and playful “supporting role”, then the preserved plum is the soul of the whole dish.
The tartness of the preserved plums whets your appetite, while the sweetness complements the refreshing flavor of Sprite. More importantly, it has a unique aftertaste, adding a lingering sweetness to the ribs’ sweet and sour flavor. Once you’ve tried it, it’s hard not to fall in love with this unique flavor.
How to make Sprite Plum Spare Ribs
In fact, this dish is not difficult to make, and can even be considered “friendly for novice cooks.” The general process is as follows:
Blanch the ribs : Cut the ribs into sections and blanch them in cold water to remove the blood foam. This step can ensure that the finished product is fresh and not fishy.
Stir-fry until fragrant : Put some oil in the pan, add ginger slices and garlic cloves and stir-fry until the ribs are slightly golden brown.
Add to the soul mix : Pour in a bottle of Sprite (yes, a whole bottle!) and throw in a few plums.
Seasoning : Add some light soy sauce, dark soy sauce and salt to season, cover the pot and simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes.
Collect the sauce : When the soup becomes thick and covers the ribs until they are shiny, you can take it out of the pot!
When the whole dish is served, the ribs are an attractive rosy red, and the sweet and sour aroma immediately hits your nose. At that moment, you will understand why it has gone viral on WeChat Moments.

Why did it become so popular?
To sum up, the reasons why this dish can be popular are probably as follows:
The taste is rich and layered : Sprite brings freshness, plums bring sourness and sweetness, and spare ribs bring meaty aroma. The three are blended just right.
Relieve greasiness and stimulate appetite : You won’t feel greasy when eating meat. Instead, the more you eat, the more you want to eat. It is especially suitable for summer or when you don’t want to eat greasy food.
Simple operation : no complicated knife skills are required, and no long stewing is required. It can be done in half an hour.
Good looks : The crystal clear ribs, coupled with the sweet and sour taste, can easily become the center of the table.
My first attempt
I still remember the first time I made Sprite and Plum Spare Ribs. It was a summer evening. It was incredibly hot outside, and I had no appetite at all. A friend recommended it to me, saying, “Try Sprite and Plum Spare Ribs. It’s guaranteed to whet your appetite.”
I dubiously followed the instructions, but as soon as it arrived, the aroma alone made me instantly hungry. With my first bite, the sweet and sour flavor exploded in my mouth, and the ribs were soft, chewy, and bouncy. I immediately put down my chopsticks and posted on WeChat Moments: “Who still wants sweet and sour spare ribs? Try the Sprite Plum Spare Ribs!”
The comment section of that post went viral, with friends asking for the recipe. Just like that, this dish became a “net-famous dish” among my friends.

Tips
It is best to choose Sprite at room temperature . Putting it into the pot if it is cold will affect the heating speed.
Plums , otherwise the sour taste will be too strong, 2-3 pieces are enough.
Be patient when collecting the sauce , don’t be impatient, the key moment is to wait until the soup thickens.
If you want to have more layers, you can make a small combination of dried shrimp, rock sugar and Sprite, which will taste even more amazing.
Summarize
Sprite and preserved plum spareribs is one of those seemingly strange yet addictive combinations. It is not as heavy as braised pork, nor as sweet and greasy as sweet and sour, but just the right amount of refreshing, sweet and sour to relieve greasiness.
So, if you’re tired of the same old home-cooked spareribs recipe, try this internet-famous Sprite and Plum Spareribs. Trust me, it’ll not only go viral on social media, but it’ll also easily win over your family.