Tour Of Asia St Louis Style Ribs
These Tour of Asia St. Louis Style Ribs combine classic smoked barbecue with a sweet, savory and spicy Asian-inspired glaze. Pineapple juice helps tenderize the ribs, Blazing Star BBQ Beef Rub creates the flavorful foundation and Asian Bang Sauce delivers the signature finish.
The ribs are smoked, wrapped with brown sugar, butter and hot honey, then glazed and returned to the smoker until the sauce becomes sticky and set.
Tour of Asia St. Louis Style Ribs Recipe
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Prep Time 20 minutes |
Cook Time Approximately 3 hours 10 minutes |
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Servings 4 |
Smoker Temperature 275°F |
Ingredients
- 1 rack St. Louis-style pork ribs
- 1 small can pineapple juice
- Blazing Star BBQ Beef Rub, enough to season all sides
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons Melinda’s Hot Honey, divided
- ½ cup Blazing Star BBQ Asian Bang Sauce
- ¼ cup Melinda’s Japanese Barbecue Sauce
- Heavy-duty aluminum foil
Instructions
- Preheat the smoker. Set your smoker to 275°F using your preferred charcoal and smoking wood.
- Prepare the ribs. Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs if it is still attached and trim away any loose pieces of meat or fat.
- Inject the ribs. Inject the ribs with pineapple juice across the rack. Pineapple juice adds flavor and acts as a natural tenderizer.
- Season the ribs. Apply Blazing Star BBQ Beef Rub evenly to the front, back and sides of the ribs.
- Smoke the ribs. Place the ribs on the smoker and cook at 275°F for 2 hours.
- Prepare the wrap. Lay out two overlapping sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Spread the brown sugar across the foil, then add the butter and 2 tablespoons of hot honey.
- Wrap the ribs. Place the ribs meat-side down over the brown sugar mixture. Wrap them tightly in the foil and return them to the smoker.
- Continue cooking. Cook the wrapped ribs at 275°F for 1 hour.
- Make the glaze. Add the Asian Bang Sauce, Japanese Barbecue Sauce and remaining 2 tablespoons of hot honey to a saucepan. Warm over medium-low heat while stirring until evenly combined.
- Unwrap the ribs. Carefully remove the ribs from the foil and place them meat-side up on a wire cooking rack or directly on the smoker grate.
- Glaze the ribs. Brush a generous, even layer of the Asian Bang glaze across the top and sides of the ribs.
- Set the sauce. Return the uncovered ribs to the smoker for approximately 10 minutes, or until the glaze becomes sticky and set.
- Rest and serve. Allow the ribs to rest for 10 minutes before slicing between the bones and serving.
Tips for the Best St. Louis Style Ribs
- Do not leave the ribs sitting in fresh pineapple juice for an extended period. Pineapple contains enzymes that can soften the meat too much.
- Apply the Beef Rub evenly so every rib develops a flavorful bark.
- Wrap the ribs tightly to hold in the steam and flavorful juices.
- Open the foil carefully because hot steam will escape.
- Warm the glaze over medium-low heat to prevent its sugars from scorching.
- Allow the final glaze to set on the smoker before removing the ribs.
- Let the rack rest before slicing so the juices remain in the meat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why inject ribs with pineapple juice?
Pineapple juice adds sweetness and acidity while its natural enzymes help tenderize the pork. Injecting distributes the flavor without soaking the exterior of the ribs.
Why use Beef Rub on pork ribs?
Blazing Star BBQ Beef Rub is an SPG-style seasoning with chipotle, cumin and ginger. Its savory flavor works well with pork and complements the Asian Bang glaze.
How do I know when the ribs are tender?
The meat should pull back slightly from the bones, and a temperature probe or toothpick should slide between the bones with little resistance.
Can I make these ribs without a smoker?
Yes. Follow the same cooking temperatures and wrapping process in an oven. The ribs will still be tender and flavorful, but they will not have the same wood-smoked flavor.
Is Asian Bang Sauce very spicy?
Asian Bang Sauce balances sweet, savory, spicy and umami flavors. It provides noticeable heat without overpowering the ribs.
Should ribs fall completely off the bone?
Properly cooked ribs should be tender and bite cleanly from the bone while still holding together when sliced and served.
Shop the Flavor
- Blazing Star BBQ Beef Rub and Seasoning
- Blazing Star BBQ Asian Bang Sauce
- Shop Blazing Star BBQ on Amazon
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