Memphis Style Ribs Recipes

MEMPHIS STYLE BACK RIBS

Steps:

• About 30 minutes before smoking, make the dry rub. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl; mix well.
• Spread both sides of ribs with yellow mustard and sprinkle with dry rub. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Heat charcoal or gas grill for indirect cooking at 250 degrees F. Place the ribs, meaty side up, over a drip pan and cook for 4 to 6 hours until very tender. Spritz ribs occasionally with water or apple juice using a spray bottle. Add about 12 coals to a charcoal grill every 45 minutes or so to maintain the heat.
• Let ribs stand 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

MEMPHIS-STYLE RUB

Steps:

• Whisk paprika, chili powder, turbinado sugar, salt, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, thyme, celery salt, black pepper, mustard, onion powder, and cayenne pepper together in a bowl.

MEMPHIS STYLE BABY BACK RIBS

Steps:

• Wash the ribs and pat dry with paper towels.
• Place each slab of ribs on a sheet of heavy duty aluminum foil and rub well with rib rub.
• Seal the foil and place in refrigerator for 4 to 6 hours.
• Remove from refrigerator and place sealed packed in a 275 degree preheated oven.
• Cook for 3 to 4 hours or until tender.
• Baste both sides of ribs with Memphis Barbecue Sauce recipe 99023 and grill 5 to 7 minutes per side.
• Serve with extra sauce and lots of paper towels.

MEMPHIS STYLE DRY RIBS (IN THE OVEN OR ON THE GRILL)

Steps:

• Adjust the oven rack to the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 250°F. Stir together the sugar and all of the spices in a small bowl. Reserve ⅓ of the spice mixture in a separate bowl.
• Place the ribs on a large baking tray, meat side down. Slide a knife just barely under the edge of the membrane at one end of the ribs and then use that loosened edge to pull the membrane off the ribs. (I find it easiest to grab the edge of the membrane with a paper towel and pull it off that way.)
• Pat the ribs dry with a paper towel. Apply the rub generously to the front and back of the ribs (leaving the reserved amount for later use). Place the ribs meat side up on a large foil-lined baking sheet and cook for about 3 hours, until the ribs are tender.
• Pour the vinegar and water into a shallow baking dish. Remove the cooked ribs from the oven and dip them into the vinegar water. Place the wet ribs onto a cutting board or a clean baking sheet and season immediately with a coating of the reserved dry rub. Cut the ribs apart between the bones.
• Preheat the grill to 250°F. If using wood or charcoal, situate the coals on one side of the grill only, leaving the other side open for indirect cooking heat. Stir together the sugar and all of the spices in a small bowl. Reserve ⅓ of the sugar/spice mixture in a separate bowl.
• Place the ribs on a large baking tray, meat side down. Slide a knife just barely under the edge of the membrane at one end of the ribs and then use that loosened edge to pull the membrane off the ribs. (I find it easiest to grab the edge of the membrane with a paper towel and pull it off that way.)
• Pat the ribs dry with a paper towel. Apply the rub generously to the front and back of the ribs (leaving the reserved amount for later use). Place the ribs meat side up on the grill and cook with indirect heat, for 3 - 3½ hours, until the ribs are tender.
• Pour the vinegar and water into a shallow baking dish. Remove the cooked ribs from the oven and dip them into the vinegar water. Place the wet ribs onto a cutting board or a clean baking sheet and season immediately with a coating of the reserved dry rub. Cut the ribs apart between the bones.

MEMPHIS-STYLE RIBS

Steps:

• 1. Prepare the ribs and rub: Remove the thin, papery skin from the back of each rack of ribs by pulling it off in a sheet with your fingers, using the corner of a kitchen towel to gain a secure grip, or with pliers.
• 2. Combine the paprika, black pepper, brown sugar, salt, celery salt, cayenne, garlic powder, dry mustard, and cumin in a small bowl and whisk to mix. Rub two thirds of this mixture over the ribs on both sides, then transfer the ribs to a roasting pan. Cover and let cure, in the refrigerator, for 4 to 8 hours.
• 3. Prepare the mop sauce (if using): Mix together the cider vinegar, mustard, and salt in a bowl and set aside.
• 4. Set up the grill for indirect grilling and place a large drip pan in the center.
• If using a gas grill, place all of the wood chips in the smoker box and preheat the grill to high; when smoke appears, reduce the heat to medium.
• If using a charcoal grill, preheat it to medium.
• 5. When ready to cook, if using a charcoal grill, toss the wood chips on the coals. Brush and oil the grill grate. Arrange the ribs on the hot grate over the drip pan. Cover the grill and smoke cook the ribs for 1 hour.
• 6. When the ribs have cooked for an hour, uncover the grill and brush the ribs with the mop sauce (if using). Re-cover the grill and continue cooking the ribs until tender and almost done, 1/4 to 1/2 hour longer for baby back ribs, 1/2 to 1 hour longer for spareribs. The ribs are done when the meat is very tender and has shrunk back from the ends of the bones. If using a charcoal grill, you'll need to add 10 to 12 fresh coals to each side after 1 hour. Fifteen minutes before the ribs are done, season them with the remaining rub, sprinkling it on.
• 7. To serve, cut the racks in half or, for a plate-burying effect, just leave them whole.

MEMPHIS-STYLE BARBECUE RIBS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 275°F. Line a roasting pan or a baking sheet with aluminum foil, and set aside. (This may require more than one pan if you're making a lot of ribs.)
• Rinse ribs and pat dry with paper towels, and remove any silver skin from the backs. (You should be able to remove this with your fingers.)
• If you want, trim the ribs into 4-5 rib sections.
• Season the ribs liberally with Memphis-style barbecue rub. You'll use about 1 tablespoon per pound.
• Arrange the ribs on the roasting pan or prepared baking sheet(s), and cover with aluminum foil. Transfer to the preheated oven, and bake for 5 hours.
• Once the ribs have baked for 5 hours, remove from the oven. Brush the ribs with ¾ cup barbecue sauce, then sprinkle with additional barbecue rub.
• Transfer the pan(s) back into the oven, and cook uncovered for an additional 2 hours or until the ribs are tender. The meat will start pulling off the bones, and once it does, you'll know your ribs are almost ready!
• When the second bake is done, remove from the oven.
• Preheat the grill to 350°-400°F.
• Turn off the burners on the side where the ribs will be finished, as the barbecue sauce will cause them to catch fire.
• Baste the ribs with an additional ¾ cup of the barbecue sauce, and grill until sticky sweet and darkened. (About 10-15 minutes.)
• Sprinkle with additional barbecue rub to finish, and enjoy!
• Preheat the oven's broiler.
• While the broiler is heating up, brush the ribs with an additional ¾ cup of the barbecue sauce.
• When the broiler is screaming hot, transfer the ribs back into the oven, and broil for 8 minutes, or until the tops of the ribs are browned and sticky.
• Remove from the oven, sprinkle with additional barbecue rub to finish, and enjoy!

QUICK & EASY MEMPHIS-STYLE BBQ RIBS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, mix the first 6 ingredients; rub 3/4 cup over ribs. Wrap rib racks in large pieces of heavy-duty foil; seal tightly. Place in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake 1-1/2 hours. Reduce oven setting to 250°. Bake until tender, 1-1/2 hours longer., Carefully remove ribs from foil; return to baking pan. Sprinkle ribs with remaining spice mixture. Bake 30 minutes longer or until lightly browned, brushing with barbecue sauce, if desired.

MEMPHIS-STYLE BABY BACK RIBS

Steps:

• Make the rub: Whisk the turbinado sugar, brown sugar, salt, paprika, ancho powder, granulated garlic, onion powder, mustard powder, cayenne, cumin and 1 teaspoon black pepper in a medium bowl.
• Preheat a grill to medium low and prepare for indirect cooking: On a gas grill, preheat the grill, then turn off half the burners. On a charcoal grill, light the coals, then bank to one side; put a disposable aluminum drip pan on the unlit side of the grill under the grates. Meanwhile, soak the wood chips in water, 30 minutes; drain.
• Make the ribs: Turn the ribs bone-side up. Slip a paring knife between the thin membrane and the bone to loosen, then pull off the membrane; trim any excess fat. Season both sides of the racks with the rub (about 1/2 tablespoon per side). Transfer to a roasting pan, bone-side down, and let sit 30 minutes.
• When the grill registers 250˚ F, add the wood chips: On a gas grill, fill a smoker box with the chips and use according to the manufacturer's instructions; on a charcoal grill, sprinkle the chips over the coals. Place the ribs bone-side down on the cooler side of the grill. Cover the grill and smoke the ribs for 2 hours (if using charcoal, adjust the air vents and add more coals as needed so the temperature stays around 250˚ F).
• While the ribs are smoking, lay out 2 long sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil (or double pieces of regular foil). Spread 1/2 tablespoon each of the rub, brown sugar and maple syrup down the center of each piece of foil.
• Place the ribs, meat-side down, on the prepared foil, then top each rack with another 1/2 tablespoon each of the rub, brown sugar and maple syrup. Fold the foil over the ribs and crimp the edges, leaving one side open; pour 2 tablespoons apple juice into each packet and crimp the final edge to seal. Return to the grill and cook until the meat is tender, 2 to 2 1/2 more hours.
• Meanwhile, make the barbecue sauce: Heat the canola oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until golden, about 2 minutes. Add the ketchup, 1/2 cup honey, the tomato paste, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard powder, cayenne and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a low boil, whisking, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Whisk in 1/2 cup water and simmer 5 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup of the rub until dissolved; season with more of the rub, 1 tablespoon at a time, if needed. Let cool.
• Make the glaze: Whisk 3/4 cup of the barbecue sauce with the remaining 1/4 cup honey. Set aside the rest of the barbecue sauce for serving.
• Carefully remove the ribs from the foil; return to the grill, meat-side up. Brush with the glaze and continue to cook for 5 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and slice. For "muddy style," sprinkle with more of the rub. Serve with the remaining barbecue sauce.

MEMPHIS-STYLE RIBS

Steps:

• Your ribs may already be trimmed, or you can ask the butcher to trim them. To do it yourself, place the ribs meat-side up on a cutting board. There is a line of fat at the base of the ribs; cut along it to remove the cartilaginous rib tips. Turn the meat over, rib-side up. Cut off the flap of meat on the inside of the ribs. (The reason to remove these pieces is that they will burn, well before the ribs are done. You can season them and grill them over direct heat for about 15 minutes, turning once. They are delicious.) With the rib-side up, finesse a sharp knife under the tough membrane that covers the bones. Working from one rib to the next, pull the membrane off the rib. (For a better grip, grab the membrane with a paper towel.) The membrane may tear and you may have to start over, but be patient - removing the membrane allows the spices and smoke to penetrate the ribs, and makes the ribs much more attractive and easy to eat.
• In a shallow, non-reactive pan large enough to hold the ribs, mix together 1 cup cider vinegar, 1 cup cider, garlic, bay leaves, 2 tablespoons hot sauce and the salt. Put the ribs in this marinade, turn to coat, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours and up to 16 hours, turning once during this time.
• Remove the ribs from the pan 2 hours before you are going to grill and pat dry. Discard the marinade. Sprinkle the ribs all over with 1/2 cup of the rub, patting it on with your fingers. Cover and refrigerate for about 1 1/2 hours. Remove the ribs from the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 1/2 hour before grilling.
• Mix the remaining 3/4 cup cider vinegar, 3/4 cup cider, and 1 tablespoon hot sauce. You will apply this mixture to the ribs once every hour or so with a spray bottle, a barbecue mop, a pastry brush or a long-handled spoon.
• Soak about 3 cups of wood chips (hickory, oak or apple) for at least 1/2 hour in cold water.
• Prepare a charcoal fire or preheat a gas grill for indirect grilling over low heat. Drain and add 1 cup of the wood chips.
• Grill the ribs, covered, until they are crispy, and the meat has pulled back from the bone, 3 to 4 hours, depending on the heat of your grill. Spray or baste the ribs with the vinegar-cider mixture every hour, and turn them once during grilling. Don't forget to add more wood chips--and, if using charcoal, more coals--as needed (check every hour or so). You should have enough soaked wood chips for about 3 hours of cooking time; if your ribs take longer, you will need to soak more chips.
• If the ribs are done before you are ready to eat, wrap them in heavy-duty aluminum foil and leave them over very low, indirect heat for up to 1 hour.
• Remove the ribs from the grill, spray or baste with any remaining basting liquid, and sprinkle with the remaining the 1/4 cup of rub. Serve as is, or with Vinegar Sauce.
• Mix together all of the ingredients in an airtight container and store at room temperature. The rub will keep for several months.
• Yield: about 1 cup, enough for 8 pounds of Memphis-Style Ribs.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients. Use immediately, or cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
• Yield: about 2 1/2 cups

MEMPHIS STYLE RIBS

Steps:

• Trim your ribs if not already done. To do it yourself, place the ribs meat side up on a cutting board. There is a line of fat at the base of the ribs; cut along to remove the carilaginous rib tips. Turn the meat over, rib side up. Cut off the flap of meat on the inside of the ribs. (they will burn on the grill) 2. With the rib side up, finesse a shar kniife under the tough membrane that covers the bones. Working from one rib to the next, pull the membrane off the rib. 3. In a shallow, non reactive pan large enough to hold the ribs, mix together 1 cup cider vinegar, 1 cup cider, bay leaves, 2 T hot sauce and the salt. Put the ribs in the marinade, turn to coat, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours and up to 16 hours turning once. 4. Remove the ribs from the pan 2 hours before you are going to grill and pat dry. Discard the marinade. Sprinkle the ribs all over with 1/2 cup of the rub, patting it on with your fingers. Cover and refrigerate for about 1 1/2 hours. Remove the ribs from the fridge and let sit at room temp for 1/2 hour before grilling. 5. Mix the remaining 3/4 cup cider vinegar, 3/4 cup cider and 1 T hot sauce. You will apply this mixture to the ribs once every hour or so with a spray bottle, a barbecue mop, or pastry brush. 6. Soak about 3 cups of wood chips for at least 1/2 hour in cold water. 7. Prepare grill for indirect grilling over low heat. 8. Drain and add 1 cup of the wood chips. 9. Grill the ribs, covered until they are crispy, and the meat has pulled back from the bone, 3 to 4 hours depending on the heat of your grill. Spray or baste the ribs with the vinegar cider mixture every hour, and turn them once during grilling. Don't forget to add more wood chips. 10. Remove the ribs from the grill, spray or baste with any remaining liquid, and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup of rub. SErve as is or with vinegar sauce.