Description
Juicy, tender spare ribs coated in a bold espresso rub and finished with a tangy homemade barbecue sauce. These ribs can be grilled, smoked, baked, or slow-cooked for a flavorful and versatile barbecue dish.
Ingredients
- 5–6 pounds spare ribs, membrane removed
- Barbecue Sauce:
- ½ cup steak sauce
- ½ cup apple juice
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Pinch cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- Pinch parsley, oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Espresso Rub:
- 2 tablespoons chile powder
- 2 tablespoons finely ground instant espresso or coffee beans
- 2 teaspoons dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 tablespoon sea salt or pink salt
- Optional: Hickory or mesquite wood chips (for smoker)
- Optional: Reynolds cooking bag (for oven)
- Optional: Aluminum foil (for grill)
Instructions
- Remove the tough membrane from the underside of the ribs.
- Mix the espresso rub ingredients and coat ribs generously on both sides.
- Prepare the barbecue sauce by whisking together steak sauce, apple juice, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, cayenne, salt, parsley, oregano, and garlic powder.
- Choose your cooking method:
- Grilled in Foil: Parboil ribs for 20 minutes. Heat grill to medium-high. Wrap ribs with rub in foil and grill for 45–60 minutes until tender. Unwrap, grill directly, and baste with sauce for 15 minutes.
- Slow Cooker: Place rubbed ribs in a 6–7 quart slow cooker with ½ cup apple juice and 1 cup sauce. Cook on high for 5–6 hours until tender.
- Smoker: Heat smoker to 225°F with hickory or mesquite chips. Smoke ribs for 3 hours, wrap with apple juice in foil, and smoke 2 more hours. Brush with sauce before serving.
- Oven: Place rubbed ribs in a Reynolds cooking bag with ½ cup sauce, 1 tablespoon liquid smoke, and ¼ cup apple juice. Bake at 350°F for 2 hours, then add more sauce before serving.
Notes
- Swap espresso rub for a sweeter brown sugar rub if preferred.
- Add honey or maple syrup to barbecue sauce for extra sweetness.
- Increase cayenne or add chipotle for more heat.
- Baby back ribs can be substituted, though cooking time may be shorter.
- Ribs reheat best wrapped in foil in a 300°F oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: Varies by method (1–6 hours)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling, Smoking, Baking, Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 rack (about 1 ½ pounds cooked)
- Calories: 720
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 1180mg
- Fat: 46g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 52g
- Cholesterol: 185mg
