Mango-Jalapeno Rib Glaze

By Todd Martin September 6, 2024 4 mins read 169 Views

This delicious mango-jalapeno rib glaze adds a little delicious sweet-heat to pork ribs. Apply this sweet and savory glaze towards the end of grilling and let it caramelize on the meat. Make a little extra to serve on the side.

Rib glazes are an excellent way to flavor pork ribs and a great alternative to traditional BBQ sauces. While tomato-based sauces will continue to be a barbecue favorite, rib glazes have rightfully earned their place as a top choice. Thin sauces like this one are incredible flavor enhancers. This versatile mango-jalapeno rib glaze can be used on smoked pork belly, grilled chicken, pork chops, smoked cream cheese, and grilled tofu.

What is a rib glaze?

A rib glaze is a syrupy sauce applied to proteins, vegetables, or meat substitutes during the cooking process. This allows the sugars in the glaze to caramelize and provide and nice sweet coating to foods like BBQ ribs or chicken.

What is the difference between a glaze and BBQ sauce?

Barbecue sauce is usually made with tomato sauce or ketchup, spices, and vinegar. It is applied 15-20 minutes before the end of the cooking. A rib glaze does not contain tomatoes and is made with ingredients like honey, jellies, peppers, etc. It is applied 1 hour before the end of the cooking time.

Ingredients

Mango nectar
Apricot preserves
Fresh lime juice (substitute with fresh lemon juice, but note that it will alter the flavor ever so slightly.)
Honey (substitute with real maple syrup)
Jalapeno pepper
Fresh ginger
Cumin
Cinnamon
Salt and black pepper

Making a Rib Glaze

Cut the jalapeno in half, remove the seeds, and chop it into smaller chunks. I highly recommend wearing food-safe gloves when handling hot peppers.
Place jalapeno and lime juice into a food processor or blender, and puree mixture.
Place all sauce ingredients, including pepper puree, into a medium saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 2 minutes, stirring often. Reduce heat to low and simmer for an additional 5-6 minutes. If the mixture is too thick, add a few tablespoons of water.
Remove rib glaze from heat and cool for 5 minutes before using.
This mango-jalapeno rib glaze can also be used as a dipping sauce or side sauce.
If making it ahead of time, store the sauce in a jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Rewarm before using.
Discard any sauce that has come into contact with raw or undercooked meat.

Using a mango-jalapeno rib glaze

During the last hour of cooking, apply the rib glaze with a silicone brush on barbecued ribs every 15 minutes until done.
Use 1/2 cup of rib glaze per rack of baby backs and 3/4-1 cup of glaze per rack of spare ribs.
If you are using this glaze on chicken, pork chops, or tofu, brush it on during the second half of the cooking time.
For smoked cream cheese, drizzle with heated mango-jalapeno glaze right before serving.
Make a double batch of this rib glaze and serve half of it as a side sauce.

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