Best 6 Kansas City Sweet And Smoky Ribs Recipes

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Kansas City ribs are renowned for their fall-off-the-bone tenderness, smoky flavor, and sweet and tangy glaze. If you're craving these delectable ribs, look no further! In this article, we've compiled the best recipes to help you create mouthwatering Kansas City-style sweet and smoky ribs at home. From selecting the perfect ribs to mastering the art of smoking and glazing, we'll guide you through every step of the process. Whether you prefer using a traditional smoker or a modern electric smoker, we've got you covered. So, gather your ingredients, fire up your smoker, and get ready to indulge in the smoky, sweet, and savory goodness of Kansas City's famous ribs.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

SWEET 'N' SMOKY KANSAS CITY RIBS



Sweet 'n' Smoky Kansas City Ribs image

Tender and juicy, these ribs are packed with a big smoky punch. You won't believe how quick they are from grill to plate! -Gloria Warczak, Cedarburg, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h45m

Yield 5 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 22

1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon each minced fresh basil, rosemary and sage
1/2 teaspoon ground celery seed
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1/8 teaspoon fennel seed, crushed
2 pork baby back ribs (about 5 pounds)
2 cups soaked wood chips (mequite, hickory or alder), optional
SAUCE:
1 large onion, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon each minced fresh basil, marjoram and rosemary, crushed
1 teaspoon each minced fresh dill, sage and cilantro
1 teaspoon minced chives
1 bottle (18 ounces) barbecue sauce

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, bouillon, seasonings and herbs; rub over ribs. Let stand for 15 minutes. , Prepare grill for indirect heat, using a drip pan. Add 1 cup of soaked wood chips if desired. Place ribs in a disposable foil pan. Grill, covered, over indirect medium heat for 30 minutes. Remove ribs from pan and place on grill rack over drip pan. Add remaining wood chips. Grill 30 minutes longer, turning occasionally., Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, saute onion in oil and butter until tender. Stir in the brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce and herbs; cook and stir for 1 minute. Add barbecue sauce. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Baste ribs with sauce; grill for 10-15 minutes or until meat is tender, turning and basting occasionally.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1068 calories, Fat 72g fat (25g saturated fat), Cholesterol 251mg cholesterol, Sodium 1540mg sodium, Carbohydrate 50g carbohydrate (35g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 54g protein.

KANSAS CITY STYLE PORK RIBS



Kansas City Style Pork Ribs image

Provided by Patrick and Gina Neely : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time P1DT4h15m

Yield 4 large/8 small portions

Number Of Ingredients 21

2 slabs pork spare ribs, 3 pounds each
Kansas City Barbeque Sauce, recipe follows
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup dry mustard
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 (about 2/3 cup)small onion, finely diced
3 cups water
1 cup (2 (6-ounce) cans) tomato paste
1/2 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup molasses
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Remove the thin white membrane off of the bone-side of the ribs. Mix together the brown sugar, dry mustard, cayenne, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Massage the rub into the ribs and let sit for 1 hour or up to overnight.
  • If cooking on the grill, place the ribs meat-side down next to medium-hot coals that are about 225 degrees F. The indirect heat will cook them slower, making them tender. Allow to cook for 1 hour. Turn ribs every half hour and baste with the Kansas City Barbeque Sauce. Cook until the ribs are tender, about 3 to 4 hours.
  • If cooking indoors, place in a roasting pan with a rack. Slather the ribs with the Kansas City Barbeque Sauce and tent a piece of aluminum foil over them. In a preheated 350 degrees F. oven, place the ribs, basting with the sauce every 30 minutes and removing the foil for the last 30 minutes and cooking until fork tender, about 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
  • In a small sauce pot on medium-high heat, heat the oil and add the onion, cooking until translucent.
  • Add the remaining ingredients in a large bowl and mix together. Add to sauce pan and let simmer for 30 to 45 minutes. Use to baste the pork spare ribs.
  • 3 cups

SWEET AND STICKY BBQ SAUCE (KANSAS CITY STYLE)



Sweet and Sticky BBQ Sauce (Kansas City Style) image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     condiment

Time 30m

Yield about 2 1/2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 1/2 cups ketchup
1/2 cup molasses
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon paprika
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon mustard powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke

Steps:

  • Whisk together the ketchup, molasses, vinegar, Worcestershire, sugar, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, mustard powder, salt, pepper and liquid smoke in a medium pot. Bring to a simmer over low heat and cook to allow the flavors to concentrate, 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool to room temperature before using.

KANSAS CITY SWEET-AND-SMOKY RIBS



Kansas City Sweet-and-Smoky Ribs image

Provided by Steven Raichlen

Categories     Marinate     Graduation     Backyard BBQ     Dinner     Beef Rib     Spring     Summer     Tailgating     Grill     Grill/Barbecue

Yield Serves 4 to 8

Number Of Ingredients 7

4 racks of spareribs (4 to 6 pounds total)
6 cups apple cider, plus additional for spraying the ribs
2 whole lemons (optional), halved
2/3 cup Basic Barbecue Rub or your favorite commercial brand
3 cups of your favorite homemade barbecue sauce or your favorite commercial brand
YOU'LL NEED:
3 cups wood chips (preferably hickory), soaked for 1 hour in apple cider to cover, then drained; spray bottle; rib rack (optional)

Steps:

  • 1. Trim each rack of ribs or have your butcher do this for you.
  • 2. Place the ribs in a large nonreactive roasting pan. Pour the cider over the ribs. Squeeze the juice from the lemons over the ribs, catching the seeds with your fingers. Turn the ribs a couple of time to coat all over with marinade. If desired, let the ribs marinate in the refrigerator, covered, for 4 to 6 hours, turning several times.
  • 3. Drain the ribs and blot dry with paper towels. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the rub on both sides of the ribs, patting it onto the meat with your fingers. Let the ribs stand in the refrigerator, covered, for 1 to 2 hours.
  • 4. Set up the grill for indirect grilling and preheat to medium. If using a charcoal grill, place a large drip pan in the center. If using a gas grill, place all the wood chips in the smoker box or in a smoker pouch and preheat to high until you see smoke, then reduce the heat to medium.
  • 5. When ready to cook, if using charcoal, toss 1 cup of wood chips on the coals. Place the ribs in the center of the hot grate, away from the heat. Cover the grill and cook the ribs for 2 to 3 hours. After 30 minutes, spray the ribs with apple cider and continue to spray every half hour until ready to brush with the sauce. If using a charcoal grill, you'll need to add 12 fresh coals and 1/2 cup wood chips per side after each hour.
  • 6. Lightly brush the ribs with 1 cup of the sauce 20 minutes before the ribs are done. When the ribs are fully cooked, the meat will have shrunk back from the bones about 1/4 inch, and the meat will be tender enough to tear apart with your fingers. But don't overcook; the ribs should have some chew to them. If the ribs start to dry out, wrap them in aluminum foil for the last hour of cooking.
  • 7. Transfer the ribs to plates or a platter. Sprinkle the ribs with the remaining rub and lightly brush again with barbecue sauce. Let the ribs rest for a few minutes, then serve with the remaining barbecue sauce on the side.
  • VARIATION:
  • You can also cook the ribs in a smoker. Smoke them for 4 to 5 hours at 225°F
  • ALSO GOOD FOR:
  • This is a wonderful way to prepare baby back ribs. In this case, you'll need to allow 1 to 1 1/2 hours for indirect grilling or 2 to 3 hours for cooking in a smoker.

KANSAS CITY-STYLE RIBS



Kansas City-Style Ribs image

Our family recipe for ribs has evolved to near perfection. These country-style beauties are a legend in our close circle. -Linda Schend, Kenosha, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h35m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 17

1-1/3 cups packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons each garlic powder, onion powder and smoked paprika
1-1/4 teaspoons each ground cumin, coarsely ground pepper and cayenne pepper
12 bone-in country-style pork ribs (about 7 pounds)
SAUCE:
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 cup tomato sauce
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup molasses
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and seasonings; sprinkle over ribs. Refrigerate, covered, at least 1 hour., For sauce, in a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until tender, 5-6 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients; bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat., Wrap ribs in a large piece of heavy-duty foil; seal edges of foil. Grill, covered, over indirect medium heat until ribs are tender, 1-1/4 to 1-3/4 hours., Carefully remove ribs from foil. Place ribs over direct medium heat; baste with some of the sauce. Grill, covered, until browned, 8-10 minutes, turning and basting occasionally with remaining sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 453 calories, Fat 18g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 101mg cholesterol, Sodium 452mg sodium, Carbohydrate 40g carbohydrate (36g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 31g protein.

KANSAS CITY SWEET AND SMOKY BARBECUE RUB



Kansas City Sweet and Smoky Barbecue Rub image

Sweet rather than salty, flavorful rather than fiery, this seasoning mix contains mustard in the style of a Memphis rub and chili powder in the style of Texas.

Provided by Steven Raichlen

Categories     Grill/Barbecue     Spice     Paprika     Ginger     Kansas City     Kansas

Yield Makes about 2 1/2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 14

2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup sweet or smoked paprika
1/4 cup seasoned salt, preferably Basic Seasoned Salt, or a good commercial brand, such as Lawry's
1/4 cup homemade smoked salt, or use a good commercial brand
1/4 cup onion salt
1/4 cup celery salt
2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons pure chile powder (not a blend)
2 teaspoons mustard powder
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

Steps:

  • Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and stir or whisk to mix. Transfer to a large jar, cover, and store away from heat and light. The rub will keep for several weeks.

Tips:

  • Choose the right ribs: Look for meaty, well-marbled ribs with a nice layer of fat. Avoid ribs that are too thin or bony.
  • Prepare the ribs: Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs to allow the rub and smoke to penetrate the meat. Cut the ribs into individual portions if desired.
  • Make a flavorful rub: Combine spices, herbs, and sugar to create a rub that will enhance the flavor of the ribs. Apply the rub liberally to the ribs, making sure to coat all sides.
  • Smoke the ribs: Smoke the ribs over indirect heat at a low temperature (225-250°F) for several hours, until the meat is tender and cooked through. Use a variety of wood chips or chunks to create different flavor profiles.
  • Make the sauce: While the ribs are smoking, make a sweet and smoky sauce by combining ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, and spices. Simmer the sauce until it is thick and flavorful.
  • Glaze the ribs: Once the ribs are cooked through, brush them with the sauce and return them to the smoker for a few minutes to caramelize the sauce.

Conclusion:

These Kansas City-style sweet and smoky ribs are a delicious and crowd-pleasing dish that is perfect for any occasion. With a little planning and effort, you can create fall-off-the-bone ribs that will have your guests begging for more. So fire up your smoker and get ready to enjoy some amazing ribs!

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