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Orange Soy Baby Back Ribs

These orange soy baby back ribs offer a delicious balance of citrus zest and savoury depth. This high-protein dish transforms individual pork ribs into a sticky, caramelised treat using a simple marinade of fresh orange juice, soy sauce and dark brown sugar. The addition of ground cumin provides a subtle earthy warmth that cuts through the sweetness, ensuring a complex flavour profile that appeals to both children and adults alike.

Ideal for a weekend dinner or a casual gathering, this recipe is incredibly straightforward to prepare. While the ribs roast, the marinade reduces into a glossy, syrupy glaze that coats the tender meat perfectly. Serve these ribs alongside a crisp green salad or steamed pak choi for a balanced, nutritious meal that feels like a takeaway favourite made from the comfort of your own kitchen.

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Ingredients for Orange Soy Baby Back Ribs

  • 2 racks baby back pork ribs (2 to 1.4kg total), cut into individual ribs

  • 60ml fresh orange juice

  • 60ml soy sauce

  • 60ml packed dark brown sugar

  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin

  • a 13- by 9-inch glass baking dish

How to make Orange Soy Baby Back Ribs

Put ribs in a large sealable plastic bag. Stir together orange juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, and cumin in a bowl until sugar is dissolved, then pour marinade over ribs in bag and seal bag, pressing out excess air. Marinate ribs, chilled, turning bag over after 30 minutes, 1 hour total.

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 191°C.

Transfer ribs and marinade to baking dish and arrange ribs in 1 layer, not touching. Roast ribs 30 minutes, then turn over ribs with tongs and continue roasting until they are tender and well browned and marinade is thick and syrupy, about 30 minutes more.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 17 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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