Ingredients
BBQ Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 3-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
- 1 large Spanish onion, coarsely chopped
- 3 cups fresh ripe pineapple chunks
- 1 habanero, chopped
- 1 cup fresh pineapple juice
- 2 cups hoisin sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup dark brown sugar (depending on sweetness of pineapple)
- 3 tablespoons ancho chile powder
- 2 heaping tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons ground star anise
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Ribs:
- 1/4 cup Spanish paprika
- 1 1/2 tablespoons dry mustard
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground star anise
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground allspice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Thai chile flakes
- 2 racks St. Louis style pork ribs (12 ribs each), membranes removed
- 2 cups soy sauce
- 1/2 cup peeled and coarsely chopped fresh ginger
- 6 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds
- 1 bunch scallions, chopped
Directions
For the sauce: Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a heavy-bottomed medium saucepan. Add the garlic, ginger and onions and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the pineapple chunks and habanero and cook for 1 minute. Add the pineapple juice and cook until it caramelizes slightly, about 3 minutes. Add the hoisin, ketchup, brown sugar, ancho powder, mustard, honey, soy sauce, star anise and cinnamon and cook until thickened, about 30 minutes.
Transfer the mixture to a blender and blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper . Pour into a bowl and allow to cool to room temperature.
For the ribs: Stir together the paprika, dry mustard, ground ginger, star anise, allspice, salt, pepper and Thai chile flakes in a bowl. Rub the ribs on the top side, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours.
Preheat a charcoal grill with about 80 briquettes off to 1 side, or in a kamado-style ceramic charcoal cooker with the ceramic plate removed. Remove the ribs from the refrigerator 1 hour before grilling.
Combine 4 cups water, the soy sauce, ginger and garlic and divide between two heavy disposable pans.
If using a charcoal grill: Put one disposable pan of steaming liquid on the bottom grate of the grill on the opposite side of the coals. Put the top grate on and heat well. Put the ribs on the grill, top-side down, directly over the hot coals and cook until golden brown and a crust has formed, about 10 minutes. Move the ribs to the other side of the grill, over the liquid, and place the other disposable pan with steaming liquid next to them over the coals. Put the lid of the grill on and open the vents on top halfway. Cook until the ribs are tender and juicy, about 2 hours. Add water as necessary to prevent scorching, and coals to keep the internal temperature between 225 and 250 degrees F.
If using the kamado-style ceramic charcoal cooker: Remove the ceramic plate and heat the grill rack. Put the ribs on the grill, top-side down, directly over the hot coals and cook until golden brown and a crust has formed, about 10 minutes. Remove the ribs and rack and put in the ceramic plate. Put one disposable pan of steaming liquid on the plate, then return the rack and the ribs to the grill. Cover and cook until ribs are tender and juicy, about 2 hours. Add water as necessary to prevent scorching, and coals to keep the internal temperature between 225 and 250 degrees F.
If using charcoal, finish the ribs by moving them back over the hot coals and turning and basting with sauce for 15 to 20 minutes. If using the ceramic charcoal cooker, leave the plate in and brush liberally with sauce for 15 to 20 minutes before removing from the grill.
Combine the sesame seeds and sprinkle the tops of the ribs. Cut the ribs apart and put on a platter. Scatter the green onions over the top and serve.
Photo: Asian Spice Rubbed Ribs with Pineapple-Ginger BBQ Sauce and Black and White Sesame Seeds Recipe

















Review This Recipe
You must be logged in to review this recipe.
or Sign Up to Review
Newest Ratings and Reviews
Read all 10 reviews
By weir&wolf
on May 06, 2013
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
Very good complex flavors, worth the effort, we will be making this again.
By dwhiteboy_67
on February 23, 2013
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
I don't know why everyone is crazy about this sauce,, I've made it and it's just nasty,, the ginger is not a good sorce to cook with and the star anise is over powering,, i only used one and it's to much, my wife did not like the sauce at all. I will not try this again.
By Bigfish49
Massillon, OH
on November 15, 2012
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
These ribs are some of the best I have ever smoked on my Big Green Egg. I really like the rub and the Pineapple-Ginger BBQ Sauce is to die for. My only problem was the cooking time of 2 hours is not long enough. My ribs were still pink and not as tender as most of my ribs that I normally smoke for 5 to 6 hours. Next time I will try 4 hours.
Read all 10 reviews