BBQ Ribs with Homemade Rub and BBQ Sauce — Hello Summer!

Every year when summer starts, BBQ ribs seems to be my summer kickoff recipe.  This year, with all the COVID social distancing, I’m so pleased to say summer seems to have come early, so I’m BBQ-ing before Memorial Day.  I love ribs, and these are so flavorful that I’ve had several friends request them for birthdays or dinners.

Most of my recipes come from other places, and these are no different, though they have been around for several years in our family.  In Reno, we have a wonderful cooking school called “Nothing To It.”  Every class you take, Laura gives you a packet of recipes to take home with you.  Years ago, my mom and dad took a class in grilling.  These recipes were in the packet they brought home, and honestly, I’m not sure we’ve ever used anything else for our BBQ sauce and/or ribs since.

Entertaining is truly one of my favorite pastimes, but when it comes to entertaining, BBQ’s are generally my favorite.  And ribs are a frequent feature at my BBQ’s.

Ribs are a long-term meal, as you must use bake them first at low heat before putting them on the BBQ.  That’s what makes them a great meal for a summer weekend night when you have some time either the night before or the day of to put them in the oven for a couple of hours while preparing other things, or, of course, playing outside like you should on these wonderful summer days.

For the Rub:

• 2 Tbsp Chili Powder
• 2 Tbsp Mild Paprika
• 1 Tbsp Ground Coriander
• 1 Tbsp Garlic Powder
• 2 tsp Cumin
• 2 tsp Oregano
• 2 tsp Sea Salt
• 1 tsp Cayenne Pepper
• 1 tsp Black Pepper

1. Preheat your oven to 250.
2. Mix all ingredients together.  Store in an airtight container.
3. Use your hands to spread a thin layer of the rub on both sides of your rack of ribs.
4.  Bake the rubbed ribs on a cookie sheet for two hours.

 

For the BBQ Sauce:

• 1/2 Stick Unsalted Butter
• 6 Tbsp Minced Onion
• 1 1/3 Cups Cider Vinegar
• 1 1/3 Cups Ketchup
• 1 Cup (Packed) Dark Brown Sugar
• 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
• 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper

1. Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add onion and sauté 3 minutes.
3. Add all ingredients and bring to a boil stirring frequently.  Reduce heat and simmer until sauce is reduced to 2 2/3 cups, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.
4. Put racks of ribs on medium heat BBQ and put sauce on them with a pastry brush.  Turn them twice to maximize sauce coverage over the course of about 15 minutes.
5. Take off and serve.