Thai Style Sweet Chili Ribs

 

Ingredients

For the Marinade:

• 1/3 cup sweet chili sauce
• 1 tablespoon red curry paste
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce (or soy sauce for a substitute)
• 1 tablespoon lime juice (or rice vinegar)

For the BBQ Sauce:

• 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon red curry paste
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce (or soy sauce)
• 1 tablespoon lime juice (or rice vinegar)

For the Ribs:

• 5-6 pounds pork ribs (baby back or spare ribs), silver skin removed and fat trimmed (2 racks)
• 2 tablespoons roasted peanuts, chopped
• 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped

Directions

1. Prepare the Marinade:

   • In a bowl, combine 1/3 cup of sweet chili sauce, 1 tablespoon of red curry paste, 1 tablespoon of fish sauce (or soy sauce), and 1 tablespoon of lime juice (or rice vinegar). Mix well to blend the ingredients.
   • Brush the marinade evenly over the ribs. Place the ribs in a sealed container or ziplock bag and refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to infuse.

2. Prepare the BBQ Sauce:

   • In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup of sweet chili sauce, 1/4 cup of peanut butter, 1 tablespoon of red curry paste, 1 tablespoon of fish sauce (or soy sauce), and 1 tablespoon of lime juice (or rice vinegar).
   • Heat the saucepan over medium heat, stirring continuously until the peanut butter has melted and the sauce is smooth. This should take about 2-3 minutes. Set the sauce aside.

3. Cook the Ribs:

   • Arrange the marinated ribs vertically in the slow cooker, wrapping them around the inside of the slow cooker to fit. Cook on low heat for 6-8 hours, or until the ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender.
   • Carefully remove the ribs from the slow cooker and place them on a baking sheet. Brush half of the prepared BBQ sauce over the ribs.

4. Broil the Ribs:

   • Preheat your oven's broiler.
   • Place the baking sheet with the ribs under the broiler and cook for about 3-5 minutes, or until the BBQ sauce begins to bubble and caramelize. Keep a close eye on them to avoid burning.

5. Finish and Serve:

   • Remove the ribs from the oven. Sprinkle the chopped roasted peanuts and chopped cilantro over the ribs.
   • Serve the ribs with the remaining BBQ sauce on the side for dipping.

Additional Tips:

• No Marinade Option: If you’re short on time, you can skip the marinating step. Simply place the ribs directly into the slow cooker and follow the remaining instructions.
• Slow Cooker Tip: If the ribs are too tall and the lid does not fit snugly on the slow cooker, wrap the lid with aluminum foil. This will help trap in the heat and moisture, ensuring the ribs cook evenly.

This Thai-style BBQ ribs recipe combines the rich flavors of Thai cuisine with the classic American BBQ experience. Enjoy the tender, flavorful ribs with the perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and savory notes.