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5.0 from 3 votes

Do-Ahead Cider Baked Ribs

The ingredient list is quite long for these ribs, but the flavour is well worth the effort! And once you gather the ingredients, the hands-on time is short. Recipe adapted from Olive magazine.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
3 hrs
Total Time
3 hrs 20 mins
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 300 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the brine
  • 1.5 kg pork rib racks
  • 2 Tablespoons dark brown sugar such as muscovado
  • 2 Tablespoons fine sea salt
  • 1 Tablespoon English mustard powder
  • 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon chilli powder
  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • zest of 2 oranges
  • 2 bay leaves
For the sauce
  • 400 g canned diced tomatoes
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic roughly chopped
  • 3 Tablespoons cider vinegar
  • 2 Tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 
  • 500 ml apple cider hard cider not fresh pressed
  • 1 star anise

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Place the ribs in a shallow roasting pan. In a food processor, whizz all of the dry brine ingredients, except the bay leaves. Pour over the ribs, tear over the bay leaves, and rub in. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours, but preferably overnight.
  2. Heat the oven to 325F.
  3. Lightly rinse the dry brine from the ribs and return to the roasting pan. Whizz all of the sauce ingredients, except the star anise, in a food processor. Pour the sauce over the ribs, add the star anise and cover the pan tightly with a double layer of foil.
  4. Cook in the oven for 2.5 hours, basting regularly, then remove the foil and cook for a further 30 minutes to reduce the sauce.
  5. Cool the ribs completely, then transfer them into freezer bags, along with the sauce and freeze. To defrost, leave in the fridge overnight.
  6. To finish the ribs, heat a grill or barbecue to high and put the ribs directly onto the barbecue on indirect heat. Grill for 15-20 minutes, carefully turning occasionally. When ribs are heated through, pile into a serving dish.
  7. Serve hot, topped with grilled garlic scapes or grilled green onions, if desired.

Notes

  • I used hard cider for this recipe but it would also be just as good with fresh pressed apple cider.

Nutrition Information

Calories 300kcal (15%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 300

% Daily Value*

Calories 300kcal 15%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.