Thai grilled BBQ pork spare ribs are delicious and flavorful for any occasion. These succulent pork ribs are marinated in an umami and sweet sauce made from Thai spices, soy sauces, sugar, and garlic. They are then grilled to perfection until tender, juicy, and extra delicious!
Try these delicious recipes for more ribs: sticky Asian ribs and flaken ribs.
For more grilled Thai food, check out this Thai grilled garlic shrimp, the popular Moo Ping recipe, Chicken Satay, and Bacon-wrapped Enoki mushrooms. They are the perfect summer food to try out this summer!
Even though the spare ribs are grilled in this recipe, you can also pan-fried, oven-baked, and use the air fryer! Enjoy this delicious recipe anytime, anywhere, and impress your friends and family with your culinary skills.
So, if you haven't tried Thai grilled BBQ pork spare ribs yet, let's get you started with this delicious and satisfying meal!
Jump to:
- What Is Thai Grilled BBQ pork spare ribs
- Why you'll love Thai grilled bbq pork spare ribs
- What do Thai pork ribs taste like
- What Goes Into Thai ribs recipe
- How To grill Thai BBQ pork ribs
- Serving Suggestions for the perfect pairing
- Garnishing ideas for Thai pork spare ribs
- Helpful Kitchen notes
- Variations
- Helpful Kitchen Tools for grilling ribs
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Thai food You’ll Love!
- Thai Grilled BBQ Pork Spare Ribs
- Related
- Pairing
What Is Thai Grilled BBQ pork spare ribs
Thai grilled BBQ pork spare ribs are delicious because they are marinated in a flavorful mixture of Thai spices, herbs, and sauces. The marinade for this simple spare ribs recipe contains garlic, cilantro roots or stems, white pepper, fish sauce, soy sauce, and sweet dark soy sauce. All these ingredients combined give the meat a sweet, salty, and savory taste unique to Thai cuisine.
Why you'll love Thai grilled bbq pork spare ribs
- This dish is perfect for summer BBQs, family gatherings, or any time you want to impress your guests with a delicious and unique dish.
- The grilled ribs are full of bold and addictive Thai flavors from the Thai marinating sauce.
- Thai grilled BBQ pork spare ribs are easy to prepare and can be cooked on various grills or in the oven.
- This Thai spare ribs recipe is not spicy! But the option to add heat is there with the spicy dipping sauce. Perfect for all taste buds!
What do Thai pork ribs taste like
The unique blend of flavors in this dish is what makes it stand out from other grilled rib recipes. The Thai spices add a distinct kick of heat, while the sweet dark soy sauce provides a sweet and savory balance. The garlic, cilantro stems( or roots), and white pepper add extra layers of depth to the marinade, making it more complex and flavorful.
What Goes Into Thai ribs recipe
To make Thai grilled BBQ pork spare ribs, you will need the following ingredients:
- Ground white pepper. These peppers will add heat. Use sparingly if you don't like food too spicy. Sprinkle some on as garnish if needing more heat. Black pepper is fine as a substitute.
- Garlic. The garlic cloves will not need to be finely minced, especially if using a spice grinder or food processor to make the sauce.
- Cilantro stems or roots. Cilantro or coriander roots are hard to find. Use the largest and lowest parts of the stems instead for substitutes. If the root is available, use 3 roots.
- Pork spare ribs. Use meaty good quality pork ribs like St Louis-style ribs or pork loin back ribs.
- Fish sauce. Soy sauce can be used as a substitute, but fish sauce is better for a true Thai flavor.
- Oyster sauce. One of the most important marinade ingredients, the oyster sauce adds umami flavors to the meat. Don't skip the oyster sauce.
- Sweet dark soy. Sweet soy sauce has a thick dark sauce that also serves as the sweetener for the recipe. Find this sweet soy sauce at most Asian markets.
- Sugar. Use any sugar you have. White, brown sugar, monk fruit, or palm sugar.
- Lime juice. Apple cider or rice vinegar works well, too, to add a sour taste to round out the sauce's sweet and salty flavor profile.
- Oil. Only as needed for brushing on the grill if the meat gets too dry. Sesame or olive oil is not recommended, as it will alter the recipe's flavor.
How To grill Thai BBQ pork ribs
Step 1. Blend fish sauce, oyster sauce, sweet dark soy sauce, sugar, garlic, cilantro, white pepper, and lime juice in a spice grinder or small food processor. Use a mortar and pestle to pound the garlic, cilantro, and white pepper into a rough paste in a food processor, and spice grinders are available. Then add the remaining ingredients (the sauces) to the paste in the mortar.
*If your rib racks are not separated, use a sharp knife to slice the ribs on a cutting board. Wash the ribs with cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Remove the membrane before marinating. See the FAQ section below.
Step 2. Place the pork spare ribs in a large bowl. Pour the marinade over the ribs, then cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil before refrigerating the meat. A deep dish, baking sheet, or large resealable plastic bag is also great for marinating the meat. If using a Ziploc bag, seal the bag and massage the marinade into the ribs.
Let the ribs marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.
Step 3. Remove the marinated ribs from the refrigerator, and turn the ribs a couple of times to get the marinating sauce to cover each individual rib, especially on the meaty side. Let sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before grilling. 10 minutes before grilling, preheat the grill to medium-low heat.
Step 4. Place ribs on the hot grill. Do not discard the remaining marinade. We'll use the reserved marinade to brush on the meat while grilling for extra flavor and tenderness.
Step 5. Grill the ribs over medium-low for about 25-30 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. If the meat gets dry and looks darkened, move those pieces to the side from indirect heat. Use the extra sauce or the oil to baste on the meat as you go along.
Step 6. Once the meat is fully cooked, remove the spare ribs from the grill to a large serving platter. Serve the Thai grilled BBQ pork spare ribs hot with your favorite sides. Have plenty of paper towels ready to wipe your fingers! Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions for the perfect pairing
Serve your Thai pork spare ribs hot off the grill with a side of sticky or jasmine rice. And some fresh vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal. The following recipes are the perfect pairing to the ribs. Sticky rice, Nam Jim Jaeow dipping sauce, Thai papaya salad, Lao cucumber salad, Tom Yum cocktail, or a glass of ice-cold beer!
Garnishing ideas for Thai pork spare ribs
- Sprinkle chopped fresh herbs like fresh cilantro, green onions, sliced kaffir lime leaf, thinly sliced fresh ginger, or even finely chopped lemongrass over the cooked racks of baby back ribs for a festive look and fragrant aroma.
- Add fried garlic or shallot to the ribs for more flavor and texture.
- Add a few small slices of lime wedges to the ribs for those wanting more tanginess.
Helpful Kitchen notes
- Choose the right cut of pork ribs - St. Louis-style ribs and Pork loin back ribs are the best choices for this recipe as they have the perfect balance of meat and fat.
- Marinating the ribs overnight will help infuse the flavors into the meat and make it bone tender.
- If you have a charcoal grill, use it. I used a gas grill for my recipe, but the charcoal grill will give your ribs a deep smoky flavor that is delightful to taste.
- Preheat the grill - It’s important to preheat the grill for at least 10 minutes before cooking the ribs to ensure even cooking.
- Cook the ribs slowly - Cook the ribs over low heat for tender and juicy meat.
- Baste the ribs with the marinade - Basting them with the marinade while they’re cooking will help keep them moist and flavorful.
- Serve with sticky rice - Thai grilled BBQ pork spare ribs are traditionally served with sticky rice and tangy, spicy salads.
Following these tips, you can make delicious and flavorful Thai grilled BBQ pork spare ribs that impress your family and friends.
Variations
To make it spicy. Add thin slices of fresh Thai chili peppers, chili flakes, or jalapeño peppers around the sides of the ribs in small serving platters for those wanting added heat.
Helpful Kitchen Tools for grilling ribs
Frequently Asked Questions
Cooking your ribs on low heat is key to not touching your meat. The removal of the membrane of the ribs and the tough and thin semi-silvery skin on the backbone side of the meat is also crucial in having tender and juicy grilled ribs.
The tough membrane on ribs is the thin, tough outer layers of connective tissue found in pork and beef ribs. The membrane is called Silver skin.
Use a small paring knife to lightly open the thin, semi-translucent sheet off the concave side of the ribs. Use a dry paper towel to firmly pull off the thin sheet until it is removed from the bones.
The meat will be tasteless and rubbery if the rib membrane or the Silverskin is left on the ribs before seasoning and cooking. The seasoning will not get through to the meaty part of the ribs.
Ribs are best cooked on low and slow technique, meaning the ribs should be cooked at low temperature for a long period of time.
More Thai food You’ll Love!
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Thai Grilled BBQ Pork Spare Ribs
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Yield: 6 1x
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
Thai grilled BBQ pork spare ribs are delicious and flavorful for any occasion. These succulent pork ribs are marinated in an umami and sweet sauce made from Thai spices, soy sauces, sugar, and garlic. They are then grilled to perfection until tender, juicy, and fall-off-the-bone delicious.
Ingredients
- ½ -1 teaspoon ground white pepper. These peppers will add heat. Use sparingly if you don't like food too spicy. Sprinkle some on as garnish if needing more heat.
- 2 tablespoons roughly chopped garlic
- ¼ cups minced cilantro stems. If roots are available, use the 3 roots.
- 3 pounds of pork spare ribs
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 3 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 3 tablespoons sweet dark soy
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons lime juice or rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons oil, as needed only for brushing on the grill if the meat gets to dry.
Instructions
- Blend fish sauce, oyster sauce, sweet dark soy sauce, sugar, garlic, cilantro, white pepper, and lime juice in a spice grinder or small food processor. Use a mortar and pestle to pound the garlic, cilantro, and white pepper into a rough paste in a food processor, and spice grinders are available. Then add the remaining ingredients (the sauces) to the paste in the mortar. *If your rib racks are not separated, use a sharp knife to slice the ribs on a cutting board. Wash the ribs with cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Remove the membrane before marinating. See the FAQ section below.
- Place the pork spare ribs in a large bowl. Pour the marinade over the ribs, then cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil before refrigerating the meat. A deep dish, baking sheet, or large resealable plastic bag is also great for marinating the meat. If using a Ziploc bag, seal the bag and massage the marinade into the ribs. Let the ribs marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.
- Remove the marinated ribs from the refrigerator, and turn the ribs a couple of times to get the marinating sauce to cover each individual rib, especially on the meaty side. Let sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before grilling. 10 minutes before grilling, preheat the grill to medium-low heat.
- Place ribs on the hot grill. Do not discard the remaining marinade. We'll use the reserved marinade to brush on the meat while grilling for extra flavor and tenderness.
- Grill the ribs over medium-low for about 25-30 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. If the meat gets dry and looks darkened, move those pieces to the side from indirect heat. Use the extra sauce or the oil to baste on the meat as you go along.
- Once the meat is fully cooked, remove the spare ribs from the grill to a large serving platter. Serve the Thai grilled BBQ pork spare ribs hot with your favorite sides. Have plenty of paper towels ready to wipe your fingers! Enjoy!
Notes
- Choose the right cut of pork ribs - St. Louis-style ribs and Pork loin back ribs are the best choices for this recipe as they have the perfect balance of meat and fat.
- Marinating the ribs overnight will help infuse the flavors into the meat and make it bone tender.
- If you have a charcoal grill, use it. I used a gas grill for my recipe, but the charcoal grill will give your ribs a deep smoky flavor that is delightful to taste.
- Preheat the grill - It’s important to preheat the grill for at least 10 minutes before cooking the ribs to ensure even cooking.
- Cook the ribs slowly - Cook the ribs over low heat for tender and juicy meat.
- Baste the ribs with the marinade - Basting them with the marinade while they’re cooking will help keep them moist and flavorful.
- Serve with sticky rice - Thai grilled BBQ pork spare ribs are traditionally served with sticky rice and tangy, spicy salads.
** Thank you so much for visiting my blog! This is truly a passion for me. If you have enjoyed these recipes and appreciate the hard work I put into them, I would love it if you would share them with your friends! Your recommendation is the highest review I could hope for, and I’d appreciate it! **
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: grilled food, pork recipes
- Method: grilling
- Cuisine: Thai
Related
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Thai grilled BBQ pork ribs.
Warapond
Wow look nice. Thank you for your great recipes. I like it.
Suwanee
Can't wait for you to try it, Andrea! It's so addictive!
Andrea
This looks incredible! Can’t wait to try it 🤤🤤🤤
Suwanee
Thank you so much Claude!
Claude Richards
The recipe for Thai Pork Spare Ribs is a total dream to follow along with, thanks to the detailed step-by-step instructions and ample photos. As a visual cook, I loved seeing the ribs at each stage - from marinating and baking to glazing. The meat is infused with Thai flavors, thanks to a marinade of coriander, white pepper, fish sauce, and palm sugar. First, they're baked to make sure they're tender and easily come off the bone. Finally, they're lacquered with a delicious sweet and salty glaze. The end result is absolutely finger-licking good! In every succulent, juicy bite, these Thai-style pork ribs deliver an explosion of big flavors. This recipe has left the visual guy feeling delighted and completely satisfied.
Bill Smith
Extra tasty and it was finger-licking good! Great recipe