Finger-Licking Thai Style Sweet Chili Ribs Recipe

Irresistible Thai style sweet chili ribs promise a tantalizing journey through vibrant culinary landscapes.

Sticky, succulent meat marinated in complex flavor profiles reinvents ordinary dining into an extraordinary experience.

Aromatic spices dance across tender proteins, creating a symphony of sweet and fiery sensations.

Bold ingredients weave together, building layers of depth that challenge traditional barbecue expectations.

Regional cooking techniques elevate these ribs beyond standard fare, infusing each bite with authentic character.

Carefully selected seasonings unlock intense, mouth-watering dimensions that spark immediate appetite excitement.

Passionate home cooks can confidently craft restaurant-quality dishes that surprise and delight dinner companions.

Best Side Dishes for Sweet Chili Ribs

• Pair with Zesty Lemongrass Cocktail: Mix vodka, fresh lemongrass, lime juice, and a touch of honey for a refreshing drink that complements the sweet and spicy ribs.
• Cooling Cucumber Salad Side: Create a light cucumber salad with rice vinegar, mint, and a sprinkle of chili flakes to balance the rich, intense flavors of the ribs.
• Tropical Rice Companion: Serve jasmine rice infused with coconut milk and a hint of ginger to soak up the delicious BBQ sauce and provide a creamy contrast to the meat.
• Crisp Beer Match: Choose a light Thai beer like Singha or Chang, which cuts through the richness of the ribs and refreshes the palate with its clean, crisp finish.

Alternate Takes on Classic Thai Sweet Chili Ribs

• Spicy Ginger Heat: Amplify the heat by adding fresh grated ginger and increased red pepper flakes to the marinade, creating a zesty and warming flavor profile.
• Coconut Lime Infusion: Replace part of the marinade liquid with coconut milk and add extra lime zest, giving the ribs a tropical and tangy dimension that complements the sweet chili base.
• Smoky Pineapple Fusion: Incorporate crushed pineapple into the BBQ sauce and sprinkle smoked paprika in the marinade, introducing a smoky-sweet complexity that elevates the traditional Thai flavor palette.
• Herb-Crusted Alternative: Mix chopped lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and Thai basil into the marinade, creating an aromatic herb coating that intensifies the dish's authentic Southeast Asian character.

Thai Style Sweet Chili Ribs That Hit Every Note

• Savor Exotic Thai Flavors: Dive into a mouthwatering fusion of sweet, spicy, and tangy notes that transport your taste buds straight to the vibrant streets of Thailand.
• Master Slow-Cooking Tenderness: Enjoy fall-off-the-bone ribs achieved through a simple, foolproof slow-cooker method that guarantees maximum flavor and minimal kitchen effort.
• Customize for Crowd-Pleasing Meals: Perfect for weekend gatherings, game days, or family dinners, these ribs offer a versatile dish that impresses both adults and kids with their irresistible caramelized glaze and crunchy peanut topping.
• Prep-Ahead Convenience: Marinate overnight and let the slow cooker do the work, making this recipe a stress-free option for busy home cooks who want restaurant-quality results without spending hours in the kitchen.

Must-Have Ingredients for Sweet Chili Ribs with Thai Flair

• Pork Ribs: Tender, meaty cut perfect for absorbing Thai-inspired flavors, best with baby back or spare ribs for juicy results.

• Sweet Chili Sauce, Red Curry Paste: Provides sweet, spicy base with complex Thai flavor profile.
• Fish Sauce, Soy Sauce: Adds depth and umami, traditional Southeast Asian seasoning.
• Lime Juice, Rice Vinegar: Bright, tangy element that balances rich meat and adds acidity.

• Peanut Butter: Creamy component that thickens sauce and adds nutty richness.
• Roasted Peanuts, Cilantro: Crunchy topping and fresh herb that provide textural contrast and aromatic finish.

Instructions to Make Thai Style Sweet Chili Ribs

Step 1: Gathering Ingredients for Marinade

• Soy sauce
• Brown sugar
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Fish sauce
• Rice vinegar

Whisk ingredients together in a large mixing bowl until completely blended.

Step 2: Coating Ribs with Flavor

Generously brush the marinade over each rib section, ensuring complete coverage.

Massage the marinade into the meat using fingertips.

Transfer ribs into a sealed container or heavy-duty plastic bag.

Refrigerate overnight to allow deep flavor penetration.

Step 3: Creating Spicy Sweet Chili Sauce

• Peanut butter
• Sweet chili sauce
• Honey
• Lime juice
• Sriracha

Stir ingredients over medium heat until smooth and fully incorporated.

Simmer for 3-4 minutes to develop rich flavors.

Step 4: Slow Cooking Tender Ribs

Position ribs vertically inside slow cooker.

Cover and cook on low temperature for 6-7 hours.

Meat should be tender and nearly falling off bone.

Step 5: Caramelizing Sauce

Remove ribs from slow cooker and place on baking sheet.

Brush generously with prepared chili sauce.

Broil in oven for 3-5 minutes until edges become crispy and sauce bubbles.

Step 6: Garnishing and Serving

Sprinkle chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro over ribs.

Drizzle remaining sauce on top.

Serve immediately with extra sauce on side.

Rib Tips to Lock in Flavor and Tenderness

• Maximize Marinade Flavor: Let ribs marinate overnight in the refrigerator to ensure deep, rich flavor penetration and tenderize the meat thoroughly.
• Control Slow Cooking Moisture: Add a small amount of chicken broth to the slow cooker to prevent ribs from drying out and maintain incredible tenderness.
• Caramelization Technique: Watch ribs closely during broiling to achieve perfect caramelization without burning the sweet chili sauce.
• Peanut Crunch Hack: Toast chopped peanuts briefly in a dry skillet to enhance their nutty flavor and add extra crispness to the garnish.
• Sauce Balancing Trick: Taste and adjust the BBQ sauce's sweetness and heat by adding more honey or chili sauce to match your personal preference.

Storing and Reheating Thai Chili Ribs for Later Meals

• Refrigeration: Store leftover ribs in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days.
• Freezing: Wrap ribs tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months to preserve maximum flavor and texture.
• Reheating: Warm ribs in the oven at 250°F, covered with foil, for 20-25 minutes to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.

Thai Style Sweet Chili Ribs Recipe

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4.6 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 32 hours
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy Thai-Style Sweet Chili Ribs deliver a mouthwatering fusion of Southeast Asian flavors and classic barbecue techniques. Succulent pork ribs glazed with tangy chili sauce promise a culinary journey that will excite your taste buds and transport you to the streets of Bangkok.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Ribs (Main Ingredients):

• 5–6 pounds pork ribs (baby back or spare ribs), silver skin removed and fat trimmed

Marinade Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup sweet chili sauce
• 1 tablespoon red curry paste
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce (or soy sauce for a non-fish alternative)
• 1 tablespoon lime juice (or rice vinegar as a substitute)

Sauce and Garnish Ingredients:

• ½ cup sweet chili sauce
• ¼ cup peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon red curry paste
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce (or soy sauce)
• 1 tablespoon lime juice (or rice vinegar)
• 2 tablespoons roasted peanuts, chopped
• 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped

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Instructions

1. Craft a vibrant marinade by whisking together the designated ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl until perfectly blended.
2. Meticulously massage the marinade onto every surface of the ribs, ensuring complete and even coverage.
3. Securely seal the marinated ribs in a container and allow them to rest in the refrigerator overnight, enabling the complex flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.
4. Create the rich BBQ sauce by combining ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring continuously until the peanut butter melts and transforms into a silky, uniform mixture.
5. Position the marinated ribs vertically within the slow cooker, arranging them to maximize space and ensure uniform cooking.
6. Slow cook the ribs on low temperature for 6-8 hours, allowing the meat to become exceptionally tender and effortlessly separating from the bone.
7. Carefully transfer the cooked ribs onto a baking sheet, taking care to maintain their structural integrity.
8. Lavishly brush half of the prepared BBQ sauce over the ribs, creating a glossy, flavorful coating.
9. Broil the sauced ribs in the oven until the surface becomes beautifully caramelized and slightly bubbly, typically requiring 3-5 minutes.
10. Garnish the glazed ribs with a sprinkle of chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro for added texture and aromatic complexity.
11. Present the ribs immediately, accompanied by the remaining BBQ sauce for diners to enhance their culinary experience.

Notes

• Overnight marinating infuses the ribs with complex Thai-inspired flavors, transforming simple meat into a tantalizing culinary experience.
• Slow cooking breaks down tough connective tissues, guaranteeing fall-off-the-bone tenderness that melts in your mouth.
• Caramelizing under the broiler creates a glossy, sticky exterior with irresistible sweet and spicy notes that elevate the entire dish.

• Prep Time: 24 hours
• Cook Time: 8 hours
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 742
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 1083 mg
• Fat: 49 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 36 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 54 g
• Cholesterol: 172 mg