Sweet and Spicy BBQ Baby Back Ribs: Your Ultimate Guide

Many outdoor cooks shy away from making Sweet and Spicy BBQ Baby Back Ribs, fearing a plate of tough, chewy bones. Instead, they stick to sausages or burgers. But with this simple recipe, you can master tender, flavorful ribs that’ll have your guests beggin’ for more. Let’s dive into an easy step-by-step guide to elevate your BBQ game, straight from the heart of Kansas City!

BBQ’s tangy secret

Ingredients for Sweet and Spicy BBQ Baby Back Ribs

Here’s what you need to get started. Gather these goods, and you’re on your way to a mouthwatering dish that’s got that Kansas City soul.

The Ribs

• 2 racks of baby back pork ribs
• ½ cup yellow mustard
• 1 cup apple juice
• Your favorite BBQ rub

BBQ Sauce Ingredients

• 200g apple juice
• 150g tomato sauce
• 100g rich cream sherry
• 50g dark muscovado cane sugar
• 50g light muscovado cane sugar
• 1 tsp garlic granules
• 1 tsp onion granules
• ½ tsp Kashmiri chili powder (or mild chili powder)
• ½ chicken stock cube

How to Cook Sweet and Spicy BBQ Baby Back Ribs

Cooking Sweet and Spicy BBQ Baby Back Ribs ain’t as hard as folks make it out to be. Follow these steps, and you’ll get tender, juicy ribs that melt in your mouth. Let me walk you through it like I’m sittin’ by the smoker with ya.

Step 1: Prepare the Ribs

First off, take a good look at your ribs. If the butcher left that silverskin membrane on the bone side, we’re gonna fix that. Slide a butter knife under it, right over a middle bone. Then, grab a paper towel, get a good grip, and peel it off slow and steady—like pullin’ a bandage off a hairy arm.

Step 2: Apply Mustard and Rub

Next, get your pastry brush out. Slather that yellow mustard all over both sides of the ribs—don’t be shy now. After that, sprinkle your favorite rub on thick. This ain’t just for flavor; it’s gonna lock in the juices like a champ.

Step 3: Smoke the Ribs

When it’s go-time, set your grill to 180°F (85°C). Close the lid and let it preheat for 15 minutes—patience is key here. Then, lay those ribs meat-side up on the grates. Smoke ‘em low and slow for 3 hours with some applewood, till they hit 160°F (72°C) inside. That’s when the magic starts.

Step 4: Wrap with Apple Juice

After 3 hours, we’re wrappin’ ‘em up. Crank the grill to 275°F (135°C). Lay one rack on a big ol’ piece of foil, fold up the edges like a little boat, and pour in ½ cup of apple juice. Want ‘em extra tender? Splash in a tablespoon more. Seal it tight with another sheet of foil—keep those juices locked in. Do the same for the other rack.

Step 5: Cook Wrapped Ribs

Now, toss those foil packs back on the grill. Let ‘em cook for 2 more hours, or until they hit 205°F (95°C). That’s the sweet spot where they’ll fall off the bone like a dream.

Step 6: Add BBQ Sauce

Finally, unwrap those beauties—careful, they’re hot! Brush on that Sweet and Spicy BBQ Sauce on both sides. Pop ‘em back on the grill for 30-60 minutes till the sauce gets sticky and thick. Let ‘em rest a bit before you dig in—trust me, it’s worth the wait.

Sweet and Spicy BBQ Sauce Recipe

This sauce is the crown jewel of your ribs. Here’s how to whip it up, Kansas City style.

Step 1: Combine Ingredients

First, dump all them sauce ingredients into a big pan. Warm it up slow over the stove till you see little bubbles poppin’.

Step 2: Reduce the Sauce

Then, turn up the heat a notch. Let it bubble away to cook off some moisture. Keep stirrin’ so it don’t scorch—nobody likes burnt sauce.

Step 3: Check Consistency

You’ll know it’s done when it thickens up and sticks to a spoon with a shiny gloss. That’s when it’s ready to hug them ribs.

Step 4: Store or Use

Also, you can make this ahead of time. Stash it in the fridge till you’re ready to slather it on.

Tips for Perfect Sweet and Spicy BBQ Ribs

Wanna nail them Sweet and Spicy BBQ Baby Back Ribs? Here’s a few tricks I’ve picked up over the years.

1. Pomegranate Molasses: If you can hunt some down, add a couple teaspoons to your sauce for a sweet kick. It’s optional, but dang, it’s good. Check out more in our Top 10 BBQ Tips.
2. Flavor Twist: For a sticky Chinese-style twist, toss in a teaspoon of five-spice powder—takes it to a whole new level.
3. Versatility: This sauce ain’t just for ribs—it’s killer on chicken wings too!

The History of BBQ Baby Back Ribs

Baby back ribs come from up top, near the spine—shorter than spare ribs, hence the “baby” tag. Barbecuing ribs goes way back in American history, mixin’ Native American smokin’ tricks with African American spice know-how. Today’s sweet and spicy kick, like in this recipe, came along with sugar and chili joinin’ the party. Explore BBQ history if you’re curious for more.

Side Dishes to Pair with Sweet and Spicy BBQ Baby Back Ribs

Round out your plate with these sides. They’ll balance them bold ribs like old friends at a cookout.

• Coleslaw: Cool and crunchy—cuts through the richness.
• Baked Beans: Try our smoky baked beans recipe—it’s a match made in heaven.
• Cornbread: Sweet and soft, perfect for soppin’ up that sauce.

Final Thoughts

Mastering Sweet and Spicy BBQ Baby Back Ribs is easier than you reckon. With this recipe, you’ll be the hero of your next BBQ. Give it a whirl and holler at us in the comments with how it went!