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–+ servings

Kansas City-Style BBQ Ribs - Grilled / Smoked

Ingredients

  • 4 - 5 pounds beef back ribs
  • 2 cups hickory chips

  • Rub
  • 1 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp celery salt
  • ½ tsp dry mustard
  • ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper, more or less, depending on your tolerance for heat

  • Sauce
  • 1 medium onion, chopped fine
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 Tbsp butter
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • ¼ cup cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup water
  • 2 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp chili powder
  • 1 Tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ tsp salt

Instructions

  • Prep the Wood Chips
  • At least an hour before grilling, soak the wood chips in enough water to cover them
  • Drain before using

  • Prep the Ribs
  • Remove the membrane covering the bones by slipping a dull knife under it.
  • Then, using a paper towel to grip, pull the membrane away from the bones
  • Trim the fat from ribs and place them in a shallow roasting pan

  • Make the Rub
  • In a small bowl combine all of the rub's ingredients
  • Sprinkle about half of the rub over the top of the meat and rub it in with your fingers to form an even coating.
  • Turn the ribs over and repeat the process
  • Cover the pan with foil and chill until you're ready to grill

  • Make the Sauce
  • While the ribs are cooking, make the sauce
  • In a saucepan over medium heat, warm the butter
  • Add the onion, and cook for ~ 5 minutes, or until it's just starting to become tender
  • Add the garlic and cook for a minute or so more
  • Stir in the rest of the ingredients and bring the sauce to a very slow boil
  • Reduce the heat and allow the sauce to simmer 20 - 25 minutes

  • Grill the Ribs
  • Prep the grill for indirect heat using a drip pan
  • Add the wood chips
  • Place the ribs, bone side down, over the drip pan
  • Grill covered, over indirect medium heat for 1 ½ - 1 ¾ hours, or until the ribs are tender
  • Brush them with some of the sauce during the last 30 minutes
  • Serve
  • Serve ribs with remaining sauce.