Baby Back Ribs with Tamarind Glaze

Ribs

• 2 racks baby back pork ribs (3½–4 pounds total), halved crosswise
• 5 ounces ginger, peeled, chopped
• 1 orange wedge (about ⅛ of orange)
• 5 star anise pods
• 2½ cups unfiltered apple juice
• 1 tablespoon Diamond Crystal or 2 teaspoons Morton kosher salt
• 6 habanero chiles, halved lengthwise, seeds removed if desired, divided
• ¼ cup plus ⅓ (lightly packed) light brown sugar
• ½ cup ketchup
• ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup tamarind concentrate
• 3 tablespoons honey

Salad And Assembly

Vegetable oil (for grill)

Kosher salt

• 1 Persian cucumber, thinly sliced
• ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
• ½ serrano chile, very thinly sliced
• 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
• Micro cilantro and/or cilantro sprigs and lime wedges (for serving)

Ingredient Info

• Often labeled “concentrate cooking tamarind” or “paste,” tamarind concentrate can be found at Asian markets and online.

Ribs

1. Place ribs in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot. Add ginger, orange wedge, star anise, apple juice, salt, half of chiles, and ¼ cup brown sugar. Pour in water just to cover pork and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat so liquid is at a very gentle simmer, partially cover pot, and braise, turning racks a few times, until meat is fork-tender and nearly (but not quite) falling off the bones, 1½–2 hours. Chop remaining chiles while ribs are cooking and set aside.
2. Carefully transfer ribs to a rimmed baking sheet and let cool. Cut between ribs to create 2-rib pieces.
3. Meanwhile, crank up the heat under the Dutch oven to high and add ketchup, vinegar, tamarind concentrate, honey, remaining ⅓ cup brown sugar, and reserved chopped chiles to braising liquid. Cook, stirring often, until glaze is thick enough to coat a spoon (it should be reduced to 1–1½ cups), 30–45 minutes. Strain into a large measuring cup; discard solids. Let settle so oil rises to surface. Pour off oil into a small bowl; set aside.
4. Do Ahead: Ribs can be braised 1 day ahead. Let cool in liquid; cover and chill.
5. Salad and Assembly
6. Prepare a grill for medium heat; oil grate. Working one at a time, dip ribs into glaze to coat. Grill ribs, turning several times, until glaze is lightly charred, about 5 minutes total. Transfer ribs to a platter; season with salt. Drizzle with remaining glaze and reserved oil.
7. Toss cucumber, onion, chile, and lime juice in a medium bowl to combine; season with salt. Scatter salad over ribs and top with micro cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.