These dry-rubbed ribs really put Memphis on the map, as far as barbecue goes. People of the region seem to favor full-flavored dry rubs on their meats, as opposed to ribs made with a sweet, sticky sauce. A typical Memphis-style barbecue also involves using hickory chips to smoke the meat. This method creates great depth of flavor that enhances the natural taste of the pork. Some Memphis chefs like to swab these ribs with a vinegar-mustard preparation called “mop sauce.”
Recipe Servings: 6
Prep Time
25 minutes
+ 5 hours resting
+ 5 hours resting
Cook Time
1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time
6 hours 55 minutes
Vegetarian
Vegan
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Kosher
Halal
Ingredients
- 1½ cups wood chips (hickory recommended), soaked for 1 hour in cold water and drained
- 3 racks baby back pork ribs (6–8 lbs total)
- ¼ cup sweet paprika
- 4½ tsp ground black pepper
- 4½ tsp brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp salt
- 1½ tsp celery salt
- 1½ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1½ tsp garlic powder
- 1½ tsp dry mustard
- 1½ tsp ground cumin
Directions
- Remove the thin paper from the back of each rack of ribs.
- Mix paprika, ground black pepper, brown sugar, salt, celery salt, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, dry mustard, and cumin in a small bowl.
- Rub ⅔ of the mixture to cover both sides of the ribs.
- Transfer ribs to a roasting pan.
- Cover and refrigerate for 4–8 hours.
- Set up grill for indirect grilling on medium heat, and put a large drip pan in the middle. If using a gas grill, place soaked wood chips in the smoker box and turn the heat up high until smoke appears, then reduce heat to medium. If using a charcoal grill, preheat the grill to medium and toss wood chips on the coals.
- Brush the grill grate with oil.
- Arrange ribs on the hot grate directly over the drip pan.
- Close grill and smoke the meat for 1 hour.
- Season with remaining rub, close lid, and smoke for another 30–60 minutes, depending on the size of the ribs. Cook until the meat is very tender.
- Serve the racks whole, or cut them in half.
Notes
This recipe works with any kind of ribs. Larger pieces will take longer to cook.
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