Southern-style baby back pork ribs

The crust on these ribs is the kind dreams are made of; first, the ribs are grilled in a spice rub, then they're basted in barbecue sauce.

Southern-style baby back pork ribs Credit: Smith Street Books

• serves

  4

• prep

  10 minutes

• cook

  3 hours

• difficulty

  Easy

Ingredients

• 1.5 kg (3 lb 5 oz) pork baby back ribs, cut into racks of 4 ribs each

Dry rub

• 2 tbsp sea salt flakes
• 1 ½ tbsp sweet paprika
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp celery salt
• 1 tsp chilli flakes

Barbecue sauce

• ½ red onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp soft brown sugar
• 1 tsp sweet paprika
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• 125 ml (4 fl oz/½ cup) tomato ketchup
• 60 ml (2 fl oz/¼ cup) cider vinegar
• 60 ml (2 fl oz/¼ cup) pure maple syrup

Instructions

1. Preheat a hooded barbecue grill to low heat.

2. To make the dry rub, combine the ingredients in a small bowl.

3. Coat the ribs in the dry rub, then wrap in foil. Place 2–3 racks in each foil package for easy handling.

4. Place the foil packs onto the grill and cover. Cook for 2 hours, turning every 30 minutes.

5. Meanwhile, to make the barbecue sauce, combine the ingredients in a small saucepan with 250 ml (8½ fl oz/1 cup) water. Cook over low heat for 20–25 minutes until thick. Reserve half the sauce for serving.

6. Remove the foil packages from the grill. Increase the heat to medium and lightly grease with oil. Carefully unwrap the ribs and discard the foil. Brush the ribs all over with the remaining barbecue sauce and return to the grill. Cook, basting and turning regularly, for 30 minutes, until the ribs are browned and sticky, caramelised and charred.

7. Pile the ribs onto a serving platter and serve with the reserved barbecue sauce and, if desired, Grilled cabbage salad.

Recipe from Feed The Man Meat (Smith Street Books).

Cook's Notes

Oven temperatures are for conventional; if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C. | We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon equals 5 ml; 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml; 1 cup equals 250 ml. | All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed. | All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified. | All eggs are 55-60 g, unless specified.