Carolina Barbecued Baby Back Ribs
Get ready to elevate your backyard barbecue game with these tender, flavor-packed Carolina Barbecued Baby Back Ribs! Slow-cooked to perfection on the grill or smoker, these ribs are coated in a bold and zesty dry rub, then basted with a tangy mustard-based Carolina barbecue sauce that strikes the perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and spicy. The secret lies in the low-and-slow cooking method, ensuring juicy, fall-off-the-bone meat with a caramelized sticky glaze that's sure to impress. Perfect for summer cookouts or casual gatherings, these ribs pair beautifully with classic sides like coleslaw or cornbread. Whether you're a barbecue pro or a weekend griller, this recipe will deliver that signature Southern barbecue flavor in every bite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 racks baby back ribs
- 1 cup yellow mustard
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
Preheat your grill or smoker to 225°F (107°C). If using a grill, set it up for indirect heat.
Remove the thin membrane from the back of the ribs by sliding a knife underneath and pulling it off with a paper towel for grip.
In a small bowl, mix together paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. This will be your dry rub.
Coat both sides of the ribs with olive oil to help the rub adhere, then generously sprinkle the dry rub all over the ribs. Pat the rub into the meat but do not rub it in as this can create clumps.
Place the ribs bone-side down on the grill or smoker. Cook for about 3 hours, maintaining the temperature at 225°F (107°C). If using a smoker, add wood chips like hickory or apple for added flavor.
While the ribs cook, prepare the Carolina barbecue sauce. In a medium saucepan, combine yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Lower the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Set aside to cool.
After 3 hours, remove the ribs from the grill or smoker. Wrap each rack tightly in aluminum foil, adding a splash of apple cider vinegar inside the foil to keep the ribs moist. Return the wrapped ribs to the grill and cook for another 1 hour.
Unwrap the ribs and brush generously with the Carolina barbecue sauce on both sides. Place the ribs back on the grill and cook for an additional 30 minutes to allow the sauce to caramelize and form a sticky glaze.
Remove the ribs from the grill and let them rest, tented loosely with foil, for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Serve the ribs with extra sauce on the side and enjoy your flavorful Carolina-style barbecue!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
6156 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 374.7 g | 480% | |
| Saturated Fat | 126.5 g | 632% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1309 mg | 436% | |
| Sodium | 9208 mg | 400% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 316.5 g | 115% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 10.5 g | 38% | |
| Total Sugars | 263.4 g | ||
| Protein | 372.2 g | 744% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.5 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 1140 mg | 88% | |
| Iron | 25.2 mg | 140% | |
| Potassium | 5570 mg | 119% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
