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Rack of St-Louis spareribs smoked and coated in Carolina-Style BBQ sauce and served with a side of smoked mac and cheese bites
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Carolina Style BBQ Spare Ribs

Smoked, juicy Carolina-style BBQ pork spare ribs
Prep Time30 mins
Cook Time2 hrs 30 mins
Total Time3 hrs
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: smoked ribs
Servings: 8 servings
Author: Chef David Rose

Ingredients

Carolina-Style BBQ Sauce

  • 2 cups apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 5 Tbsp. brown sugar
  • 1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1 tsp. ground black pepper

Dry rub

  • 4 Tbsp. kosher salt
  • 4 Tbsp. light brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp. smoked paprika
  • 2 Tbsp. ground black pepper
  • 2 tsp. garlic powder
  • 2 tsp. onion powder
  • 1 tsp. Cayenne pepper
  • 2 tsp. dry yellow mustard
  • 2 tsp. cumin

Apple-vinegar spritz

  • 1 cup apple juice
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar

Carolina Style BBQ Ribs

Instructions

Carolina BBQ Sauce

  • Preheat grill to 450° F indirect heat (medium-high heat). Place all ingredients in a medium saucepot and whisk together until well incorporated.
  • Place saucepot on grill, bring to a boil, and continue cooking for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Re-whisk BBQ sauce when ready to use.

Dry Rub

  • Place all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until well incorporated.

Apple-vinegar Spritz

  • Add both ingredients in clean spray bottle and shake until well incorporated.

Carolina Style BBQ Ribs

  • Preheat grill to 250°F indirect heat and add drained wood chips directly on top of coals.
  • Pat ribs dry on both sides and using a paper towel, remove the membrane from the back of the ribs.
  • Liberally season ribs with dry rub on both sides. Allow the ribs to come to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
  • Place ribs on the grill meaty side up and smoke for 1 hour. After 1 hour, spray ribs with apple-vinegar spritz and continue to smoke for another 30 minutes.
  • Flip ribs meaty side down and smoke for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, spritz again and smoke for another 30 minutes.
  • Once ribs are tender and rib bones are exposed, mop with BBQ sauce, twice on both sides.
  • Serve with Smoked Mac ‘n’ Cheese Bites and a side of BBQ sauce.