Sweet& Spicy BBQ Ribs
User Reviews
5
Sweet& Spicy BBQ Ribs
Description
This Sweet & Spicy BBQ Ribs recipe starts by mixing a dry rub that combines smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic and onion powders, brown sugar, black pepper, thyme, kosher salt, and cayenne to create a spicy-sweet crust. The membrane is carefully removed from the back of the ribs to allow flavors to penetrate and for tenderness.
The ribs are rubbed evenly with the spice mix and refrigerated for at least an hour to develop flavor. Baking covered at 300°F slowly cooks the ribs for about three hours with regular 'mopping' using a mixture of apple juice, some of the prepared sauce, and apple cider vinegar to maintain moisture and build glaze.
The barbecue sauce is a simmered blend of ketchup, apple juice, cider vinegar, brown sugar, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and black pepper. This sauce is used both in the mop and for finishing. After oven cooking, the ribs are basted with sauce to add a sticky, richly flavored coating.
This method yields tender ribs with a balanced profile of smoky, spicy, sweet, and tangy flavors. The recipe notes suggest planning ahead to allow at least four hours before serving. Alternatively, store-bought BBQ sauce can replace homemade for convenience. Leftovers should be properly covered to avoid accidental consumption.
Ingredients
Rub
- 2 tablespoons paprika smoked
- 1 1/2 tablespoon dark brown sugar packed
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon chili powder prepared
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoon black pepper cracked
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme dried
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Ribs
- 2 pork ribs St Louis Style racks
Sauce
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2/3 cup apple juice
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar (packed)
- 2 tablespoons unsulfured molasses
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder prepared
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin tsp (unit not part of ingredient
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper cracked
Mop
- 1 cup apple juice
- 6 tablespoons sauce from above
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
Instructions
Make the rub
- Mix the rub ingredients together until well blended.
Remove the membrane
- Take a dull knife, slide the tip under the membrane on the back of each rack, and loosen it. Take the corner of it and pry off the entire membrane from the back of the ribs.
Rub and bake
- Sprinkle the rub mix evenly over the top side of the ribs, and massage into the meat. Set aside in the fridge for an hour or so, or overnight if you want even better flavor.
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Place the ribs on a foil lined sheet pan, cover with foil and bake for an hour while you make the sauce and mop.
- After an hour, mop the ribs, and continue to mop every 30-45 minutes or so. The ribs should be in the oven about 3 hours.
- Remove the ribs from the oven, and baste them with some of the sauce.
Make the Mop
- Combine mop ingredients and use a turkey baster (or something similar) to regularly "mop" the ribs.
Sauce
- Combine all the sauce ingredients into a saucepan and simmer over a medium heat until thickened, stirring occasionally for about 15 minutes. Be careful not to burn - don't leave it unattended.
Grill or broil
- Heat the grill to medium high and cook them for about 10 minutes, basting regularly with the sauce.
- Take them off, baste some more and cover with foil. Rest for 30 minutes.
Serve
- Devour.
Notes
- Start at least 4 hours before serving to allow time for rubbing, resting, and slow baking with mopping.
- Prepared chili powder means a mixed seasoning, not just ground chili peppers.
- If desired, substitute store-bought BBQ sauce to simplify the recipe.
- Cover and refrigerate leftovers promptly to prevent accidental consumption.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 492 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 492kcal | 25% |
| Carbohydrates | 36g | 12% |
| Protein | 31g | 62% |
| Fat | 24g | 37% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 113mg | 38% |
| Sodium | 1803mg | 75% |
| Potassium | 935mg | 20% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 27g | 54% |
| Vitamin A | 2090IU | 42% |
| Vitamin C | 2.8mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 82mg | 8% |
| Iron | 3.2mg | 18% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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