Sticky Apple Pork Ribs
Sticky Apple Pork Ribs are tender spare ribs glazed in a aromatic sauce of apple sauce, apple juice, cinnamon, makrut lime leaves and fennel seeds. The Thermomix simmers the sticky glaze to the ideal consistency while you prepare the ribs. A sweet-spicy main course with an Asian twist, perfect for a weekend family dinner.
About this recipe
Sticky Apple Pork Ribs with the Thermomix TM7 bring a sweet-spicy, Asian-inspired main course to your table with remarkably little effort. This recipe proves why so many people search for Thermomix TM7 rib recipes: the all-in-one kitchen machine simmers apple juice, apple sauce, ginger, lime juice, cardamom, fennel seeds, chilli flakes and makrut lime leaves into a glossy, syrupy glaze while stirring itself, so the sugars never scorch on the bottom. Pork spare ribs then absorb that fragrant sauce until every bite is sticky, tangy and warming with cinnamon and star anise. It is an excellent choice for a relaxed weekend dinner or a festive family gathering, since the sauce can be prepared ahead and even preserved in jars thanks to the TM7 preserving mode. If you love bold flavours but dread standing at the hob reducing a sauce, this quick weeknight dinner solution shows exactly what the Thermomix TM7 does best.
Preparation tips
- For the stickiest result, brush the strained apple glaze over the pork spare ribs in several thin layers during the final roasting, letting each layer set slightly before adding the next so the sauce caramelises rather than slides off.
- Reserve a few spoonfuls of the glaze before coating the raw ribs and serve it alongside as a dipping sauce; the makrut lime leaves and star anise become even more aromatic after a night in the fridge, so the sauce is ideal to prepare a day ahead.
- If makrut lime leaves are hard to find, substitute grated lime zest plus an extra splash of lime juice, and for milder family portions simply halve the dried chilli flakes and add a touch more apple sauce for sweetness.
Recipe variations
- For an alcohol-free, kid-friendly version, replace the chilli flakes with mild smoked paprika and skip the mustard powder; the glaze keeps its sticky character from the apple sauce and light sugar while becoming gentle enough for younger palates.
- For a festive autumn variation, swap the apple juice for fresh pressed pear juice and add a few cloves with the cinnamon stick; serve the glazed ribs with roasted pumpkin wedges for a seasonal Sunday spread.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- The Thermomix heating function gently cooks the apple juice and sugar glaze so the sugars caramelise without burning on the base of the mixing bowl. [Multi-Function]
- Thanks to continuous mixing at a steady speed, the sixteen sauce ingredients blend into a balanced sticky glaze while you season the spare ribs. [Built-in Scale]
- Add the apple sauce and light sugar directly into the mixing bowl: the built-in scale weighs each ingredient precisely, so the sweet-tangy balance is spot on. [Precision Control]
- The Thermomix chopsping function releases the flavour of the garlic and ginger in seconds, giving the rib glaze a fresh aromatic base without any prep work. [Multi-Function]
- Grating fresh ginger into the sauce takes just moments, distributing its warm spicy notes evenly through the sticky apple marinade for the pork ribs. [Multi-Function]
Ingredients
- apple juice
- light brown sugar
- fresh root ginger
- lime juice
- fine sea salt
- cider vinegar
- ground cardamom
- black peppercorns
- dried fennel seeds
- dried chilli flakes