Memorial Day Weekend is the kickoff for summer grilling season, but one of my favorite dishes for summer entertaining is spare ribs. I’m sharing some of my favorite rib recipes, which are mostly prepared in the oven. These recipes are easy to make , taking more cooking time than preparation time with mouthwatering results. Try of one or all of these variations for your next summer gathering!
From by the bay, wishing you mouthwatering rib food memories!
Maryann
Spare Ribs with Bourbon Apple Barbecue Sauce
Serves 4 as main course or 8 as appetizer
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 lbs. racks baby back ribs
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 apple, peeled, cored and chopped
- 1/2 cup bourbon
- 3 tablespoons molasses
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. In a small sauce pan add all ingredients except for ribs. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, then turn off heat and cool. Puree in a food processor and set aside covered. In a large roasting pan lined with aluminum foil place the ribs in a single layer. Place in oven to brown for 30 minutes. After the 30 minutes remove ribs from pan and pour off any juice and fat. Place the ribs back into the pan. Use half the barbecue sauce and pour over and spread over the ribs. Lower the oven to 400 degrees F and place the ribs back in the oven, turning the ribs over and covering them with the remaining sauce. Bake for another 30 minutes and remove from the oven. The ribs can be served immediately or at room temperature.
Spare Ribs with Root Beer Barbecue Sauce
Serves 4 as main course or 8 as appetizer
2 1/2 lbs. racks baby back ribs
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 cup ketchup
3/4 cup root beer, preferably made with cane sugar
2 tablespoons molasses
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. In a small sauce pan heat olive oil and saute garlic for one minute, then add the remaining ingredients except for ribs. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, then turn off heat and cool. In a large roasting pan lined with aluminum foil place the ribs in a single layer. Place in oven to brown for 30 minutes. After the 30 minutes remove ribs from pan and pour off any juice and fat. Place the ribs back into the pan. Use half the barbecue sauce and pour over and spread over the ribs. Lower the oven to 400 degrees F and place the ribs back in the oven, turning the ribs over and covering them with the remaining sauce. Bake for another 30 minutes and remove from the oven. The ribs can be served immediately or at room temperature.
Mango and Honey Glazed Spareribs
Serves 4 as main course or 8 as appetizer
2 ½ lbs. racks baby back ribs
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger , grated
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
¼ cup honey
¼ cup vermouth
½ cup soy sauce
6 ounces mango chutney
Directions
Combine all ingredients into a plastic sealed bag. Place in refrigerator for at least 6 hours or better overnight. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large baking dish with aluminum foil and empty the entire contents of the plastic bag into the dish. Arrange ribs in pan in one layer. Place in oven and turn every 15 minutes as the ribs brown. Bake for approximately 45 minutes. Tranfer ribs to cutting board and let stand 5 minutes before cutting.
Sometimes I use country style ribs for this dish, in which case the cooking time is a little longer 1 hour. The meat literally falls off the bones – it delivers great favor and is more economic.
Tip: keep handy in the refrigerator tubes of garlic and ginger paste. They are available in Japanese specialty food stores. They are perfect for making quick marinades – without compromising the taste.
Great Balls of Fire- Memphis Style Dry-Rub
2 tablespoons smoky paprika
1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 ½ teaspoons fine sea salt
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
( at the time of use 1 tablespoon white vinegar)
To make the rub combine all dry ingredients well and store in a covered jar. When ready to use add a little white vinegar, if using all the rub add 1 tablespoon of vinegar.
To make ribs:
Use 4 pounds of slab baby back ribs. To prepare the ribs, remove the thin papery skin from the back of each rack of ribs. Wash and pat dry. In a bowl mix all the rub ingredients together . Rub ½ of the mixture all over the ribs on both sides and place in a shallow roasting pan. Keep the remaining rub for later.
Place ribs in a 450 oven for 30 minutes. Continue baking in a 350 oven for about 2 more hours. Half way through take the drippings and mix with remaining rub and baste the ribs with the mixture. When done transfer the ribs to a cutting board and cut into pieces. Serve with your favorite barbecue sauce.
1 1/2 cups Jack Daniel’s Black Label or Bourbon
1 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
4 tablespoons dark molasses
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
Pour 1 cup of whiskey into a saucepan. Bring the saucepan to a boil and reduce the liquid to about 2 tablespoons. Don’t let the alcohol flame.
Add 1/2 cup of the whiskey and the other ingredients. Simmer over a low heat for 30 minutes and reduce it by about 1/3. Use it immediately or bottle it and keep it in the refrigerator for a month or more.