Spare rib recipe for the barbecue
Spare ribs are an excellent barbecue dish. It really needs some preparation to prepare perfect spare ribs. The spare ribs have to marinate in apple cider and lemon juice for a long time. They are then rubbed with a dry rub and finally they have to cook on the barbecue for a few hours.
What is a perfect spare rib?
The ribs should be tender without getting soft. In addition, a perfect rib tastes sweet and smoky, while the undertone is sour and spicy. Preparing spare ribs is a challenge.
Therefore, reserve enough time for it and make sure you are well prepared. Please note that often the membrane still has to be removed from the concave side of the spare ribs. Down here you can read how to do that.
Preparing spare ribs
SaveInstructions
Preparing the spare ribs
- Place the ribs on the convex side and insert a sharp object underneath the membrane that covers the bone side of the ribs. Stick it next to a rib and separate the membrane from the ribs.
- Grab the membrane with your hand or with a paper towel. The hand can be slippery, so you have no grip with your bare hands. Peel off the membrane.
- Place the ribs in a roasting pan or a large container. Pour the apple cider into the container. Cut the lemons in half and squeeze the lemons to collect the juice into the container. Let it marinate in a refrigerator for 4 to 6 hours.
- Drain the ribs and dry them with paper towels. Marinate the spare ribs with the dry rub and rub it into the meat with your hands. Let the ribs rest whilst covered in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours.
Preparing the barbecue
- Prepare the barbecue for indirect grilling.
- Place a dripping tray in the centre of a charcoal grill. If you're working with a gas grill, put all the wood chips in the smoking drawer or in a smoking pad and turn it on high until you see smoke. Then moderate the fire.
- If you use a charcoal barbecue and the barbecue is up to temperature, you throw the drained wood chips on the charcoal. Maintain a working temperature of 125℃.
Cook the spare ribs
- Place the spare ribs skin side down on the barbecue away from the heat. You can also use a rib rack for this. This creates more space, because the spare ribs are placed on the side. Let the ribs cook for 2 to 3 hours.
- Spray the ribs with apple cider every half an hour.
- After 1.5 hours, wrap the spare ribs in aluminium foil and place them on the barbecue for another hour.
- Remove the spare ribs from the aluminium foil and brush the ribs with the barbecue sauce. Then put them back on the barbecue for 20 minutes.
- Remove the ribs from the barbecue, place them on plates and sprinkle a little more of the dry rub on top of the meat. Serve the remaining sauce on the side.
