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Juicy, tender back ribs are coated in a char siu sauce then cooked over a charcoal grill. Dripping with honey and spice, these ribs will be hit at your next cookout!
One bit of advice that has stuck with me through my life is that “All things are simple, taken one step at a time.”
This isn’t to say that all things are ‘easy.’ Instead, it’s a psychology aimed at breaking down difficult tasks, and making their completion both simpler and more accessible.
In the kitchen, this advice becomes especially poignant. As proof, one need only look at the sheer volume of material devoted to the singular culinary topic of ‘saving time’ or ‘making meals easy.’ The singular idea behind all of that is, really, reducing the cooking process to its most basic components, and presenting each in ways that are easy to understand.
Now, before I go any further towards today’s recipe, I’m going to be the first to admit three things. First, barbequing ribs does in fact take a bit more ‘finesse’ than grilling a simple burger or steak. Second, setting up to cook on the grill does take a bit more effort than doing things indoors. Third, there is no reason to feel intimated either by the grill, or by grilling ribs.
You see, my philosophy when it comes to grilling is actually quite simple. Enjoy every bit of it, and cut no corners.
That’s at least how I try to do things in my household, where barbequed ribs are a must this time of year. Let’s be honest, whether you like a dry rub, a wet rub, or both, few things can compare to biting into that first fresh-off-the-grill rib.
Which of course does bring us to today’s recipe.
While my friends and family are fans of standard barbeque sauces and the standard wet rub, Char Siu Style is perhaps my favorite way to prepare ribs, since it combines classic barbeque with a medley of complex flavors.
To start things off, I begin with a pack of Smithfield Extra Tender Back Ribs, which I prefer since they have no added hormones, are hand trimmed, and easily available at Walmart. I then put together a marinade of hoison sauce, balsamic vinegar, honey, sesame oil, and hot sauce. Personally, I prefer to go super-hot, using either ghost pepper or scorpion pepper sauce, but if I’m preparing these for company I tend to go with something a tad tamer. Fresh ginger, garlic, and five spice seasoning round out the marinade.
Ideally, you want to marinate these overnight, or at least for a few hours.
Now, here’s where I deviate a bit from the ‘standard’ way to grill ribs. Rather than placing them directly over the fire, I prefer to set mine in a disposable pan, and then cover them with tin foil. I then set them in my barbeque with the lid down and vent open.
Aside from dramatically easing cleanup, this also allows me greater control over how evenly the ribs are cooked, while still infusing them with that great charcoal smoke flavor.
Once the ribs are finished cooking, I rub them down with honey, and serve them with lime wedges.
Char Siu Style Back Ribs
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Ingredients
- 2 slabs of baby back ribs
- 1 lemon - quartered
- 1/2 cup salt
For the Marinade:
- 1/2 cup hoisin sauce
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tbs. sesame oil
- 2 tbs. hot sauce
- 2 inch piece of fresh ginger - chopped fine
- 4 cloves of garlic - chopped fine
- 1 tbs. five spice seasoning
Instructions
- Rub the down the two slabs of ribs with the salt; the rub the ribs down with the lemons.
- Combine all of the ingredients for the marinade in a medium sized bowl. Rub each slab of ribs with the marinade. Place the ribs in a baking dish; cover and refrigerate for at least one hour or up to overnight.
- Prepare a barbecue.
- Place the ribs in a disposable pan and place on the barbecue.
- Close the lid on the barbecue and open the vents on top of the lid. Allow the ribs cook for 2 ½ to 3 hours.
- Brush the ribs with honey when they are about to come off the barbecue and serve with lime wedges if desired.
Notes
*Prep Time does NOT include Inactive Prep Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Cuisine: Chinese
And there you have it. One step at the time, and anyone can conquer the grill.
Enjoy with Love!
1
Sophia | Veggies Don't Bite says
I don't eat meat, but good to know about cooking in a disposable pan! I bet this would work great with lots of things. Your pictures are beautiful!
Denise Wright says
These look fantastic! I can wait to try the disposable pan idea too. It's always hit or miss when I make ribs so I'll definitely give this a try.
Mahy says
Oh these look AMAZING even though it's too early in the morning for me to think of them! that sauce is calling my name! Thanks for sharing
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours says
They look so so good. Tender and succulent you really do have to start with good meat don't you - such an important part of the equation.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
This meat looks perfectly cooked. My husband loves char sui, so he would be very happy if I cooked this.
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
You've just made me VERY hungry! Your photos are spectacular.
Tina Jui | The Worktop says
oh YUM! This looks incredibly delicious!
Amy Stafford says
I agree with you, take one step of a time with cooking and you will learn to love it and enjoy it. These ribs look heavenly. Your pictures are gorgeous, they make me want to reach through the screen to grab a rib or two.
David @ Spiced says
I totally agree with you...cooking is just a process, and it's really not that hard when you break it down into individual components. We love grilling ribs during the summer, and I absolutely need to try your char siu marinade! I might not go scorpion pepper (ouch!), but I do like a good bit of heat in there. Gorgeous photos...thanks for sharing! #client
Big Daddy Dave says
Catherine, Great looking ribs! We just had grilled (not smoked) ribs the night before last. I like the spicy hot version of your marinade as would my wife. You are right, there isn't much better than one's first hunk of pork ripped off freshly grilled ribs! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Cynthia/What A Girl Eats says
I love char siu boa, so I'll bet these are fantastic!
Chiara says
I love juice and tender meat, it's a delicious recipe Catherine, thanks for sharing ! Have a nice day, xoxo
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
They look so tender and juicy!
Pam says
Great ribs, Catherine! They look delicious and I want to try char siu. Thanks for the info!
Suzanne says
I do not have access to grilling...wondering if same recipe could go in the oven??? Any suggestions??
Living the Gourmet says
Absolutely! Place the ribs in a baking dish and cover tightly with foil. Bake at 300 degrees F undisturbed for 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until ribs are very tender. Remove the ribs from the oven and brush with honey and place back in the oven uncovered for another 10 - 15 minutes. Let the ribs cool slightly after removing from the oven before cutting.
Thank you for stopping by and I hope you enjoy.
cheri says
Your photos are beautiful ,my husband would love this!!!!
john says
Do they ever get smoke on them