Grilled Baby Back Ribs with Root Beer BBQ Sauce
User Reviews
5
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Total Time
4 hrs
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Servings
4 pounds of ribs
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Grilled Baby Back Ribs with Root Beer BBQ Sauce
Description
The recipe starts by seasoning baby back ribs with a mixture including sea salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, chipotle chili powder, and other spices. After wrapping tightly in foil, the ribs bake low and slow in the oven for 2 1/2 hours, ensuring tender meat that easily pulls away from the bone. The juices from the foil are combined with some of the BBQ sauce for added moisture and flavor during grilling.
Once the ribs are transferred to a preheated grill, they cook at high heat briefly, allowing the exterior to char slightly while being basted with the BBQ sauce mixture. This grilling step adds a smoky crust and caramelization that enhances the texture and taste.
The root beer BBQ sauce itself balances sweetness from honey and root beer with acidity from apple cider vinegar and tang from Dijon mustard, along with savory elements like garlic and Worcestershire sauce. This sauce complements the ribs by adding a unique flavor profile that sets it apart from traditional BBQ sauces.
This dish suits summer cookouts or comforting dinners and pairs well with classic sides like coleslaw or baked beans.
Ingredients
ribs
- 2 baby back ribs roughly 2 pounds each, racks
- 1 1/2 tablespoons sea salt coarse
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon ground mustard
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/2 tablespoon black pepper
- 1/2 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder
root beer BBQ sauce
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 2/3 cup root beer
- ½ cup honey
- 3 garlic minced, cloves
- 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Place each rack of ribs on a doubled sheet of aluminum foil.
- In a bowl, whisk together the salt, paprika, mustard, garlic powder, pepper, onion powder and chipotle chili powder. Rub the mixture all over both sides of the ribs, then wrap the ribs up in the aluminum foil. Place the racks on a baking sheet and put them on the center rack in the oven. Bake for 2 1/2 hours.
- After 2 1/2 hours, gently pour the juice in the foil packets into a large bowl or measuring cup. Whisk in 3 to 4 tablespoons of BBQ sauce.
- Heat the grill to the highest setting and remove the ribs from the foil. Once the grill is hot, place the ribs on the grill and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, until they are charred and slightly crisp on the outsides, basting and rubbing the juices/BBQ sauce mixture on top. Let cool slightly before serving with lots of BBQ sauce.
root beer BBQ sauce
- Place all ingredients in a saucepan and whisk together until combined. Heat oven medium heat and bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat and cook for 30 to 60 minutes, until thickened. Stir occasionally. Remove from the heat and let sit at room temperature until it cools and thickens even more.
- Store in a jar or sealed container in the fridge.
Notes
- The ribs are first baked wrapped in foil at low temperature for tenderness before finishing on the grill for charred edges.
- Reserve the juices from the baking packet to mix with BBQ sauce for juicier ribs during grilling.
- Root beer in the BBQ sauce adds a mild sweetness and unique flavor to the traditional sauce base.
- Use a hot grill to quickly caramelize the sauce on the ribs, avoiding overcooking or drying out.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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