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Sweet & Spicy Asian Inspired Baby Back Ribs

Lee - Smoke & Sear
Total Time: 5 hrs Difficulty: Intermediate
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Asian-Style Smoked Baby Back Ribs
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Pork ribs are a barbecue classic, but these Sweet & Spicy Asian Inspired Baby Back Ribs take things to a whole new level. Combining the tenderness of slow-cooked ribs with the bold flavors of Asian spices and a touch of sweetness, this recipe is sure to impress. Whether you’re a fan of the 3-2-1 method or prefer your ribs with a bit more bite, this guide will help you achieve rib perfection.

Sweet & Spicy Asian Inspired Baby Back Ribs

Prep Time 1 hr Cook Time 4 hrs Total Time 5 hrs
Pork
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Author: Lee - Smoke & Sear Cooking Method: , Cuisine: Courses: Recipe Keys: Family Friendly Family Friendly Hot 'n Spicy Hot 'n Spicy
Difficulty: Intermediate Cooking Temp: 120  C Estimated Cost: £ 10 Calories: Approximately 650 per serving Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

For the Ribs

For the Rub

For the Wrap

For the Korean BBQ Sauce

For the Asian Coleslaw

For the Sesame Dressing

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ribs:

    Buy high-quality baby back ribs from a reliable butcher. Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs by sliding a butter knife under it, lifting it up, and pulling it off in one motion using a piece of kitchen paper.

  2. Applying the Rub
    • Combine light brown sugar, sea salt, ground black pepper, Chinese five spice powder, and onion powder in a bowl.
    • Apply the rub evenly over the ribs. Let them sit for 1-2 hours if possible to absorb the flavours.
  3. Smoking the Ribs
    • Preheat your smoker to 121°C (250°F) and use cherry wood for the smoke.
    • Smoke the ribs for 2.5 hours.
  4. Wrapping the Ribs:
    • After 2.5 hours, wrap the ribs tightly in foil with a sprinkle of light brown sugar, a few pats of butter, and a drizzle of hot honey.
    • Return the wrapped ribs to the smoker for 1 hour.
  5. Make the Korean BBQ Sauce:
    • In a saucepan, combine water, Sprite, granulated sugar, dark brown sugar, and soy sauce. Bring to a boil and stir until the sugars dissolve.
    • Remove from heat and whisk in gochujang, dark sesame oil, and rice vinegar.
  6. Glazing the Ribs:
    • Unwrap the ribs and brush them generously with the Korean BBQ sauce.
    • Return to the smoker for another 30 minutes to set the glaze, reapplying the sauce after 15 minutes if desired.
  7. Making the Coleslaw
    • Combine green and purple cabbage, carrot, coriander, and spring onion in a bowl.
    • For the dressing, whisk together apple cider vinegar, sugar, roasted sesame oil, toasted white sesame seeds, flaked salt, and freshly ground black pepper until the sugar dissolves. Toss the dressing with the coleslaw.

Equipment

Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy a product using these links, we get a commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps keep the BBQ magic alive, and we thank you in advance!

Note

  • For extra heat, you can add a bit more gochujang to the sauce.
  • These ribs can be kept warm in an oven until ready to serve.
Keywords: baby back ribs, Asian-inspired ribs, smoked ribs, Korean BBQ sauce, BBQ ribs, sweet and spicy ribs
Lee Bishop - Smoke & Sear

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Today at 10:28am (Tuesday 22nd April 2025) I witnessed the best @typhoondisplayteam of the year — 100% the best I’ve seen!

Squadron Leader Nathan Shawyer absolutely smashed it over @rafconingsby

There I was . . . iPhone in one hand, Wren (the dog) strapped to my waist, being swarmed by flies (note to self: change aftershave), trying to capture the magic.

Worth every buzz and bite — turn your sound up and enjoy this beauty!

P.S. Don’t worry, the dog you can hear barking in the video occasionally wasn’t Wren . . .

Others had come out to watch the display with their lovely dogs too — one clearly less keen on the noise from the jets haha.

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Today at 10:28am (Tuesday 22nd April 2025) I witnessed the best @typhoondisplayteam of the year — 100% the best I’ve seen! Squadron Leader Nathan Shawyer absolutely smashed it over @rafconingsby There I was . . . iPhone in one hand, Wren (the dog) strapped to my waist, being swarmed by flies (note to self: change aftershave), trying to capture the magic. Worth every buzz and bite — turn your sound up and enjoy this beauty! P.S. Don’t worry, the dog you can hear barking in the video occasionally wasn’t Wren . . . Others had come out to watch the display with their lovely dogs too — one clearly less keen on the noise from the jets haha.

When the kids ask for smashburgers . . . who am I to argue?
And being kids, they like ’em just so. No greenery in sight – ha!

Toasted @stpierreuk brioche buns, a slather of @angusandoink Comeback sauce, double smash patties with properly melted cheese, topped off with our own bacon jam – made fresh, same way every single time. A proper house favourite. Bit of crispy onions on top and that’s it. Simple. Smashy. And they all leave with full bellies and big smiles – that’s what it’s all about.

All cooked on the mighty @blackstoneproducts griddle, and yep . . . even air-fried the chips while making the jam and burgers. We don’t mess about.

#smashburger #blackstonegriddle #familyfavourite #bbqfamily #baconjam #doublecheese #blackstonecooking #ukbbq #stpierreuk

125 22
Open
When the kids ask for smashburgers . . . who am I to argue? And being kids, they like ’em just so. No greenery in sight – ha! Toasted @stpierreuk brioche buns, a slather of @angusandoink Comeback sauce, double smash patties with properly melted cheese, topped off with our own bacon jam – made fresh, same way every single time. A proper house favourite. Bit of crispy onions on top and that’s it. Simple. Smashy. And they all leave with full bellies and big smiles – that’s what it’s all about. All cooked on the mighty @blackstoneproducts griddle, and yep . . . even air-fried the chips while making the jam and burgers. We don’t mess about. #smashburger #blackstonegriddle #familyfavourite #bbqfamily #baconjam #doublecheese #blackstonecooking #ukbbq #stpierreuk

First cook on the new Blackstone – had to break it in with a kid-friendly Full English!

Went with the classics: sausages, hash browns, bacon, beans, fried eggs, griddled tomatoes, fried bread and of course… potato waffles (because kids).

Set the Blackstone up with different zones for each bit – sausages and waffles in the hotter section, eggs and bread on the low zone. Used the integrated air fryer basket for the hash browns and the warm drawer came in clutch for holding bits while the rest cooked.

Cooking on the Blackstone is FAST.

You’ve got to juggle it all a bit, but it’s mad satisfying once you get into the rhythm. This wasn’t a fancy cook – just a proper hearty breakfast to get used to the griddle.

The kids? They rated it 10,000,000 out of 10, which either means I’m a breakfast legend or they need a maths lesson.

Either way, I’ll take it.

Plenty more cooks coming – this was just the start.

#BlackstoneGriddleUK #FullEnglishOnTheGriddle #BBQBreakfast #BlackstoneCooking #FamilyBBQVibes

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Open
First cook on the new Blackstone – had to break it in with a kid-friendly Full English! Went with the classics: sausages, hash browns, bacon, beans, fried eggs, griddled tomatoes, fried bread and of course… potato waffles (because kids). Set the Blackstone up with different zones for each bit – sausages and waffles in the hotter section, eggs and bread on the low zone. Used the integrated air fryer basket for the hash browns and the warm drawer came in clutch for holding bits while the rest cooked. Cooking on the Blackstone is FAST. You’ve got to juggle it all a bit, but it’s mad satisfying once you get into the rhythm. This wasn’t a fancy cook – just a proper hearty breakfast to get used to the griddle. The kids? They rated it 10,000,000 out of 10, which either means I’m a breakfast legend or they need a maths lesson. Either way, I’ll take it. Plenty more cooks coming – this was just the start. #BlackstoneGriddleUK #FullEnglishOnTheGriddle #BBQBreakfast #BlackstoneCooking #FamilyBBQVibes

🍍🔥 Pineapple Express Pulled Pork — with shatter-crisp crackling so savage, you’ll hear it from three streets over.

Massive love to @villagebutchers for sending me this absolute unit of a pork leg (9kg of bone-in, rind-on beauty). Injected it with pineapple rum, spun it low ‘n slow on the rotisserie, then crowned it with crispy shards of crackling like some kind of BBQ king 👑

Cooked this beast on the @everdurebyhestonblumenthal Hub 2 — first time I’ve fired it up in ages. Truth be told, I was sent it back in May 2023 to review . . . but with the house move, life chaos and all that jazz, it’s been sat in the garage gathering dust. Good job I kept hold of it — it’s the only kit I own that could handle the sheer size and weight of this bad boy.

Wanna try it yourself? Full step-by-step recipe is live now:

👉 https://www.smokeandsear.world/BBQ-recipes/pineapple-express-pulled-pork-with-shatter-crisp-crackling/

#SmokeAndSear #PineappleExpressPulledPork #CracklingKings #RotisserieLife #BBQUK #EverdureHub2 #PulledPorkPerfection #OutdoorCooking #PineappleBBQ #BBQCrackling #BBQMad #MeatMatters #VillageButchers #BackyardBBQ #LowAndSlow #BBQGoals #BBQRecipe

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🍍🔥 Pineapple Express Pulled Pork — with shatter-crisp crackling so savage, you’ll hear it from three streets over. Massive love to @villagebutchers for sending me this absolute unit of a pork leg (9kg of bone-in, rind-on beauty). Injected it with pineapple rum, spun it low ‘n slow on the rotisserie, then crowned it with crispy shards of crackling like some kind of BBQ king 👑 Cooked this beast on the @everdurebyhestonblumenthal Hub 2 — first time I’ve fired it up in ages. Truth be told, I was sent it back in May 2023 to review . . . but with the house move, life chaos and all that jazz, it’s been sat in the garage gathering dust. Good job I kept hold of it — it’s the only kit I own that could handle the sheer size and weight of this bad boy. Wanna try it yourself? Full step-by-step recipe is live now: 👉 https://www.smokeandsear.world/BBQ-recipes/pineapple-express-pulled-pork-with-shatter-crisp-crackling/ #SmokeAndSear #PineappleExpressPulledPork #CracklingKings #RotisserieLife #BBQUK #EverdureHub2 #PulledPorkPerfection #OutdoorCooking #PineappleBBQ #BBQCrackling #BBQMad #MeatMatters #VillageButchers #BackyardBBQ #LowAndSlow #BBQGoals #BBQRecipe