Memphis Dry Rubbed Ribs

Main Entrée

serves 4-6

Time: 2-4 hours

 

Rib recipes come in wide variety of flavors but one that stands out (above the rest in my mind) is the dry rubbed rib. The important thing to remember when you’re cooking your ribs is, making sure you don’t overcook them. Nobody enjoys a burnt to a crisp rib. With that in mind, prepare to make your new favorite rib recipe.

Ingredients

• 6 tbsp. kosher salt
• 2 tbsp. dark brown sugar
• 2 tbsp. paprika
• 1 tbsp. dried oregano
• 1 tbsp. ground black pepper
• 2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. dried thyme
• 1 tsp. dried marjoram
• 1 tsp. dried parsley
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 tsp. dry mustard powder
• 1 tsp. celery seeds
• ¹⁄₂ cayenne
• ¹⁄₂ ground fennel seeds
• ¹⁄₄ ground white pepper
• 2 racks St. Louis-cut pork spareribs (about 3 lb. each)
• ³⁄₄ cup apple juice

Instructions

1. Mix together 2 tbsp. salt, sugar, paprika, black pepper, oregano, garlic, onion, thyme, marjoram, parsley cumin, mustard, celery, cayenne, fennel, and white pepper in a bowl. Rub pork all over with all but 2 tbsp. of the spice mixture. Let sit at room temperature for 1 hour or chill overnight. Whisk together remaining salt and spice mixture with apple juice and ¾ cup water in a bowl; set basting sauce aside.
2. Prepare your grill using the kettle grill, bullet smoker, or gas grill method, using apple wood chunks or chips (see Fuel and Flavor). Place ribs, top side down, on grate. Maintaining a temperature of 225° to 275° (if using a kettle grill or bullet smoker, replenish fire with unlit coals, as needed, to maintain temperature), cook, turning once and basting with sauce every 20 minutes, until the tip of a small knife slips easily in and out of the meat, 2 to 4 hours.