Spicy Sweet-and-Sour Grilled Country-Style Ribs

Country-style ribs aren’t something I think of cooking that often. When I do, they usually end up on a bed of sauerkraut. That’s why I was excited to see this idea for spicy sweet-and-sour grilled country-style ribs in a recent edition of Chile Pepper magazine. I knew that the ribs would be great because everything I’ve made from the magazine has been. And I knew that they’d have some kick. And they do.

Spicy Sweet-and-Sour Grilled Country-Style Ribs

The sauce on the ribs is the star of the show. I definitely plan on using the sauce on other dishes. It’d be perfect on grilled pork tenderloin, burgers, and pork spare ribs. The ribs are tasty, and really good grilled for a nice char then cooked low-and-slow to perfect tenderness.

I wouldn’t hesitate to make these spicy sweet-and-sour grilled country-style ribs again, and I’ll definitely be using both the Asian rub and fantastic sauce on other cuts of meat.

Also try my slow cooker Vietnamese ribs and my sous vide country style ribs.

Spicy Sweet-and-Sour Grilled Country-Style Ribs
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5 from 1 vote

Spicy Sweet-and-Sour Grilled Country-Style Ribs

The sauce on the ribs is the star of the show. I definitely plan on using the sauce on other dishes. It’d be perfect on grilled pork tenderloin, burgers, and pork spare ribs. The ribs are tasty, and really good grilled for a nice char then cooked low-and-slow to perfect tenderness.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword country-style ribs, sour, spicy, sweet
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 508kcal

Ingredients

For the Asian rub (makes 1 cup, you’ll need 1/2 cup or so for the ribs)

For the ribs

  • 3 pounds country-style ribs
  • ½ cup Asian rub from above

For the sauce

Instructions

For the Asian rub

  • Combine all ingredients. Store leftover rub in an air-right container.

For the ribs

  • Sprinkle the ribs with the rub and rub into the meat. Don’t be shy with the rub and make sure to get all sides or the ribs.
  • Let ribs rest at room temperature while you preheat the oven to 275 F and fire up your grill for direct cooking.
  • Grill ribs 10-12 minutes over direct heat, turning once, to get lightly charred. You’re just looking for color here, the ribs will finish cooking in the oven. Over-grilling them will result in tough ribs.
  • Transfer ribs to a baking sheet and place in the oven. Bake for 45 minutes or until done.
  • Serve drizzled with sauce.

For the sauce

  • Place all ingredients into a blender and puree.
  • Transfer to a saucepan over medium heat and warm through.

Nutrition

Calories: 508kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 393mg | Potassium: 1057mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 1037IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 145mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Sweet and Sour Meatball Sliders

Sweet and sour meatball appetizers have probably been around forever. I’ve certainly made them a time or two. I was looking for a different way to serve them. Something new that makes people not realize they’re eating the usual. Something with a great sweet and sour sauce and more. And so I made sweet and sour meatball sliders.

Sweet and Sour Meatball Sliders

The crispiness (really a great contrast to the meatballs) and coolness of the cucumber really makes these sliders stand out in the crowd. As does the tomato. They’re quite yummy and addicting. Make a bunch for your next family get-together and watch them disappear. They assemble in just minutes, making them perfect for feeding a crowd.

Sweet and Sour Meatball Sliders
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5 from 1 vote

Sweet and Sour Meatball Sliders

The crispiness (really a great contrast to the meatballs) and coolness of the cucumber really makes these sliders stand out in the crowd. As does the tomato. They’re quite yummy and addicting. 
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword meatballs, sliders, sour, sweet
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 28 sliders
Calories 90kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

  • 1 24 ounce meatballs pre-cooked, thawed (I used Johnsonville)
  • 4 cups sweet and sour sauce I made a batch of our easy sweet and sour sauce
  • 28 slider rolls
  • 2 large cucumbers sliced
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Skewers

Instructions

  • Place meatballs and sauce in a large sauce pan or pot and warm over medium heat.
  • Place a slice (or two if they are small) of cucumber on each slider roll bottom.
  • Add a meatball with a little of the sauce. Note: I flattened the meatballs just slightly using a wooden spatula so they would look a little larger on the buns. If you’re using larger meatballs you can probably skip flattening them.
  • Add top bun and secure with a skewer and tomato.

Nutrition

Calories: 90kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 27mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 14IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Sweet and Sour Sauce

This is my go-to simple sweet and sour sauce. Perfect on our sweet and sour meatball sliders. We also use this sauce on our appetizer meatballs and chicken with rice. And stir-fried shrimp with rice. Well, any time you need sweet and sour sauce, this is the perfect homemade solution!

Sweet and Sour Meatball Sliders

This sauce is also a favorite for dipping our homemade chicken nuggets. If no one is looking I might sneak in a few pinches of red pepper flake to counter the sweetness just a bit. The sauce is also good drizzled over stir-fried vegetables.

If you aren’t a fan of cornstarch as a thickener, just substitute tapioca powder.

Sweet and Sour Meatball Sliders
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5 from 1 vote

Sweet and Sour Sauce

If you aren't a fan of cornstarch as a thickener, just substitute tapioca powder.
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Keyword sauce, sour, sweet
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 cups
Calories 293kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place corn starch and 2 ounces of water into a small bowl and whisk until combined completely.
  • Place remaining ingredients (don’t forget to add the remaining 6 ounces of water) into a medium sauce pan over medium heat. Whisk to combine.
  • Bring sauce to a slow boil and let boil for 1 minute.
  • Reduce heat to a simmer and slowly whisk in the corn starch mixture. Be careful because the mixture will tend to rise (and almost double in volume), so don’t add the corn starch too quickly.
  • Continue whisking, cooking 5 minutes, until thickened.

Nutrition

Calories: 293kcal | Carbohydrates: 73g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 287mg | Potassium: 210mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 62g | Vitamin A: 156IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.