SPICE-RUBBED BABY BACK RIBS WITH CHIPOTLE-BOURBON BARBECUE SAUCE
The baby back (sometimes called top loin) is the perfect rib for neophytes. Cut from high on the hog - literally, it abuts the backbone - it's intrinsically tender and generously marbled, which keeps it moist during smoking. Thanks to these attributes, you can cook it at a higher temperature than the low-and-slow heat favored in the American barbecue belt. This shortens the cooking time and lets you cook the ribs on a common charcoal kettle grill. (However, you can certainly smoke these ribs low and slow at 250 degrees, in which case, you'll need 3 1/2 to 4 hours of cooking time - and a smoker.) The higher heat and shorter cooking time produce ribs with a firmer, meatier consistency. Add a chile-stung spice rub and a sweet, spicy chipotle-bourbon barbecue sauce, and you wind up with textbook barbecued ribs with a distinctive sweet, hot, smoky finish.
Provided by Steven Raichlen
Categories dinner, barbecues, finger foods, meat, main course
Time 2h30m
Yield 2 racks (2 to 4 servings)
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- Place the ribs on a rimmed baking sheet. If the concave side of your ribs still has its papery membrane intact, remove it: Pry it up at the end of the bones using the tip of a meat thermometer or butter knife, then pull it off with a paper towel. Lightly brush the ribs on both sides with the mustard.
- Prepare the rub: In a small bowl, combine the chile powder, brown sugar, salt, pepper and celery seeds. Reserve 1 1/2 teaspoons rub for serving, then sprinkle the remaining rub on the ribs, coating both sides.
- Set up your charcoal grill for indirect grilling and heat to 300 degrees.
- Once the grill comes to temperature, add half the wood chunks or chips to the coals. Arrange the ribs meat (rounded) side up on the grate away from the heat, then cover the grill. Grill the ribs over indirect heat for 1 hour.
- After the ribs have grilled for 1 hour, spray on both sides with apple cider (if using), turning the ribs with tongs. Add the remaining wood chunks or chips to the fire and close the grill again.
- While the ribs grill, prepare the barbecue sauce: Place all the sauce ingredients, along with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, in a heavy saucepan and whisk to mix. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, whisking often. Reduce the heat and gently simmer the sauce, uncovered, until thick and richly flavored, 6 to 8 minutes. Correct the seasoning, adding more salt and pepper to taste; set aside. (Makes about 2 cups.)
- Continue grilling the ribs over indirect heat, rounded side up, until sizzling, browned, tender, and the meat has shrunk back from the ends of the bones by 1/4 to 1/2 inch. This normally takes 2 to 2 1/2 hours in all, but sometimes you'll need a full 3 hours. The last 20 minutes, brush the ribs on both sides with some of the barbecue sauce. When ready, the meat should be tender enough so you can pull the individual ribs apart with your fingers.
- Brush each rack on both sides with more barbecue sauce. Move each rack directly over the fire and direct grill to sizzle the sauce into the meat, 2 to 4 minutes per side.
- Transfer the ribs to a platter for serving. Brush once more with barbecue sauce and sprinkle the ribs with the remaining rub. Serve the remaining sauce in a bowl on the side.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love
Green Killer pro
[email protected]These ribs are so easy to make and they turn out so delicious. I love the smoky flavor.
Ryan Mcneil
[email protected]I made these ribs for a potluck and they were a hit! Everyone loved them.
Vv Foyez
[email protected]The ribs were delicious, but the sauce was a bit too sweet for my taste.
zachary proper
[email protected]I followed the recipe exactly and the ribs turned out great! I will definitely be making these again.
Ejw Wjw
[email protected]These ribs were a bit too spicy for my taste, but my husband loved them.
Kidero Kidero
[email protected]I've made these ribs several times and they are always a crowd-pleaser. The spice rub is perfect and the sauce is to die for.
Ari _kim
[email protected]These ribs are so easy to make and they turn out so delicious. I love the smoky flavor.
LISA ONOTOKPE
[email protected]I made these ribs for a potluck and they were a hit! Everyone loved them.
Jonathan Robinson
[email protected]The ribs were delicious, but the sauce was a bit too sweet for my taste.
Jakpa Emmanuel
[email protected]I followed the recipe exactly and the ribs turned out great! I will definitely be making these again.
MD Ali
[email protected]These ribs were a bit too spicy for my taste, but my husband loved them.
Spam Ton
[email protected]I made these ribs for my family and they loved them! The meat was fall-off-the-bone tender and the sauce was perfect.
Mubashir Jani
[email protected]These ribs are so easy to make and they turn out so delicious. I love the combination of spices in the rub.
Yukesh Tamang
[email protected]I've made these ribs several times and they are always a crowd-pleaser. The spice rub is perfect and the sauce is to die for.
Muhaymin
[email protected]I made these ribs for a party and they were a huge hit! Everyone loved them.
Sunny Khanffc
[email protected]These ribs were amazing! The spice rub was flavorful and the chipotle bourbon barbecue sauce was the perfect complement. I will definitely be making these again.