Smack-tastic Spare Ribs

An all-time South African favourite — juicy, sticky, and finger-licking delicious! These spare ribs are so easy to prepare, and trust us, the whole family (especially the kids!) will love them. It’s one of those dishes where eating with your hands is part of the fun — sticky fingers and all! Just remember to serve a finger bowl filled with warm water and a few lemon slices to keep things neat.

You can find raw belly spare ribs at most supermarkets. Make sure they’re not marinated, as we’ll be using our very own Eating Tourist BBQ-Based Braai Sauce to bring the magic! Raw belly ribs have long bones and plenty of tender meat — perfect for this recipe.

Ingredients:

• 4 kg raw belly spare ribs
• 2 carrots (cut in chunks)
• 1 onion (quartered)
• 2–3 bay leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 750 ml Eating Tourist BBQ-Based Braai Sauce

Preparation:

Cut the ribs into serving-size pieces and place them in a large pot.

Add enough water to cover the meat, then toss in the carrots, onion, bay leaves, and seasoning.

Boil for about 1 hour and 40 minutes until tender.

Remove the ribs from the pot and, while still hot, generously coat them in Eating Tourist BBQ-Based Braai Sauce.

Let the ribs marinate at room temperature for at least 8 hours.

Once cooled completely, you can store them in the fridge or freezer.

To Serve:

Braai Method: Place ribs on a medium fire — they’re already cooked, so you’re just adding that golden-brown colour and smoky flavour. Keep brushing on extra sauce as they heat up.

Oven Method: Grill ribs for 10 minutes per side at high heat. You can pour all the remaining marinade over them before grilling — it caramelises beautifully!

Whether you braai or bake, these ribs will melt in your mouth and have everyone asking for seconds. Personally, I love the oven method — but when my husband’s behind the braai, there’s no stopping him! 🔥

Enjoy every bite of this smack-tastic, tender, and saucy Eating Tourist classic! 🍴