Best 6 Kansas City Sweet And Smoky Barbecue Rub Recipes

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Kansas City is renowned for its delectable barbecue, so it's no surprise that their Sweet and Smoky Barbecue Rub has become a favorite among barbecue enthusiasts. This versatile rub can be used on a variety of meats, from beef and pork to chicken and ribs. The rub's unique blend of spices, including paprika, chili powder, brown sugar, and garlic, creates a sweet and smoky flavor that is sure to tantalize your taste buds. This article presents you with four different recipes using the Kansas City Sweet and Smoky Barbecue Rub, each offering a unique take on this classic flavor. From the traditional Kansas City Sweet and Smoky Barbecue Ribs to the mouthwatering Sweet and Smoky Barbecue Chicken Wings, these recipes are guaranteed to satisfy your barbecue cravings. Additionally, we have included a recipe for a flavorful Sweet and Smoky Barbecue Sauce, which can be used to enhance the taste of any grilled or roasted meat. And for those who prefer a vegetarian option, we have a Sweet and Smoky Barbecue Tofu recipe that is packed with flavor and protein.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

KANSAS CITY SWEET-AND-SMOKY RIBS



Kansas City Sweet-and-Smoky Ribs image

Provided by Steven Raichlen

Categories     Marinate     Graduation     Backyard BBQ     Dinner     Beef Rib     Spring     Summer     Tailgating     Grill     Grill/Barbecue

Yield Serves 4 to 8

Number Of Ingredients 7

4 racks of spareribs (4 to 6 pounds total)
6 cups apple cider, plus additional for spraying the ribs
2 whole lemons (optional), halved
2/3 cup Basic Barbecue Rub or your favorite commercial brand
3 cups of your favorite homemade barbecue sauce or your favorite commercial brand
YOU'LL NEED:
3 cups wood chips (preferably hickory), soaked for 1 hour in apple cider to cover, then drained; spray bottle; rib rack (optional)

Steps:

  • 1. Trim each rack of ribs or have your butcher do this for you.
  • 2. Place the ribs in a large nonreactive roasting pan. Pour the cider over the ribs. Squeeze the juice from the lemons over the ribs, catching the seeds with your fingers. Turn the ribs a couple of time to coat all over with marinade. If desired, let the ribs marinate in the refrigerator, covered, for 4 to 6 hours, turning several times.
  • 3. Drain the ribs and blot dry with paper towels. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the rub on both sides of the ribs, patting it onto the meat with your fingers. Let the ribs stand in the refrigerator, covered, for 1 to 2 hours.
  • 4. Set up the grill for indirect grilling and preheat to medium. If using a charcoal grill, place a large drip pan in the center. If using a gas grill, place all the wood chips in the smoker box or in a smoker pouch and preheat to high until you see smoke, then reduce the heat to medium.
  • 5. When ready to cook, if using charcoal, toss 1 cup of wood chips on the coals. Place the ribs in the center of the hot grate, away from the heat. Cover the grill and cook the ribs for 2 to 3 hours. After 30 minutes, spray the ribs with apple cider and continue to spray every half hour until ready to brush with the sauce. If using a charcoal grill, you'll need to add 12 fresh coals and 1/2 cup wood chips per side after each hour.
  • 6. Lightly brush the ribs with 1 cup of the sauce 20 minutes before the ribs are done. When the ribs are fully cooked, the meat will have shrunk back from the bones about 1/4 inch, and the meat will be tender enough to tear apart with your fingers. But don't overcook; the ribs should have some chew to them. If the ribs start to dry out, wrap them in aluminum foil for the last hour of cooking.
  • 7. Transfer the ribs to plates or a platter. Sprinkle the ribs with the remaining rub and lightly brush again with barbecue sauce. Let the ribs rest for a few minutes, then serve with the remaining barbecue sauce on the side.
  • VARIATION:
  • You can also cook the ribs in a smoker. Smoke them for 4 to 5 hours at 225°F
  • ALSO GOOD FOR:
  • This is a wonderful way to prepare baby back ribs. In this case, you'll need to allow 1 to 1 1/2 hours for indirect grilling or 2 to 3 hours for cooking in a smoker.

SMOKY-SWEET BBQ RUB RECIPE - (4.7/5)



Smoky-Sweet BBQ Rub Recipe - (4.7/5) image

Provided by á-138479

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 1⁄4 1⁄4 cup kosher salt
1 1⁄4 1⁄4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
2 2 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
2 2 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 2 2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 2 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1 1 1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 1 1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 1 1 teaspoon ground ginger

Steps:

  • Stir together all the ingredients until well blended. Store in an airtight container up to 1 month.

SWEET 'N' SMOKY KANSAS CITY RIBS



Sweet 'n' Smoky Kansas City Ribs image

Tender and juicy, these ribs are packed with a big smoky punch. You won't believe how quick they are from grill to plate! -Gloria Warczak, Cedarburg, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h45m

Yield 5 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 22

1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon each minced fresh basil, rosemary and sage
1/2 teaspoon ground celery seed
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1/8 teaspoon fennel seed, crushed
2 pork baby back ribs (about 5 pounds)
2 cups soaked wood chips (mequite, hickory or alder), optional
SAUCE:
1 large onion, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon each minced fresh basil, marjoram and rosemary, crushed
1 teaspoon each minced fresh dill, sage and cilantro
1 teaspoon minced chives
1 bottle (18 ounces) barbecue sauce

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, bouillon, seasonings and herbs; rub over ribs. Let stand for 15 minutes. , Prepare grill for indirect heat, using a drip pan. Add 1 cup of soaked wood chips if desired. Place ribs in a disposable foil pan. Grill, covered, over indirect medium heat for 30 minutes. Remove ribs from pan and place on grill rack over drip pan. Add remaining wood chips. Grill 30 minutes longer, turning occasionally., Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, saute onion in oil and butter until tender. Stir in the brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce and herbs; cook and stir for 1 minute. Add barbecue sauce. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Baste ribs with sauce; grill for 10-15 minutes or until meat is tender, turning and basting occasionally.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1068 calories, Fat 72g fat (25g saturated fat), Cholesterol 251mg cholesterol, Sodium 1540mg sodium, Carbohydrate 50g carbohydrate (35g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 54g protein.

KANSAS CITY BARBECUE



Kansas City Barbecue image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 5h15m

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 cups sugar
1/4 cup paprika
2 teaspoons chili seasoning
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 cup salt
2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 rack Baby Back Ribs
Barbecue Rub
Apple juice in a spritzer
2 cups BBQ sauce, your favorite

Steps:

  • Combine all ingredients in shaker and use as "rub" on the following meats.
  • Peel membrane off the back of each slab. Then rinse the slab off to get rid of bone dust. Dry with cotton towel. Take shaker of "rub" and lightly coat both sides of meat.
  • Preparing smoker: Put charcoal in chimney with paper underneath and light. (Do not use charcoal lighter-it will taint the flavor of the meat.) Let coals get hot, about 30 minutes. Transfer coals into smoker, and add 1 hickory log per hour on top of charcoal if smoker is big. (Adjust if using small smoker.) Wait until temperature of smoker reaches 220 degrees. Leave damper open so you don't trap stale smoke in chamber. Over course of cooking, maintain heat with additional coal and wood, as needed. After placing ribs inside smoker, spritz with apple juice once an hour. After about 3 hours, when meat is nice dark color, spritz one last time and wrap in foil. Let ribs cook in foil for another 2 hours, giving you a total cook time of 5 hours. You can feel when the ribs are tender rather than rubbery (they bend rather than bounce back). Unwrap them (carefully), lift them out of juice and place on cutting board, brush on room temperature BBQ Sauce. Slice into individual ribs and serve.

BIG AL'S K.C. BAR-B-Q SAUCE



Big Al's K.C. Bar-B-Q Sauce image

This is a Kansas City-style sauce that I make in my restaurant. It is sweet and smoky with a little bite.

Provided by Alan Arthur

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     BBQ Sauce Recipes

Time 35m

Yield 48

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 cups ketchup
2 cups tomato sauce
1 ¼ cups brown sugar
1 ¼ cups red wine vinegar
½ cup unsulfured molasses
4 teaspoons hickory-flavored liquid smoke
2 tablespoons butter
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon celery seed
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan over medium heat, mix together the ketchup, tomato sauce, brown sugar, wine vinegar, molasses, liquid smoke and butter. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, paprika, celery seed, cinnamon, cayenne, salt and pepper.
  • Reduce heat to low, and simmer for up to 20 minutes. For thicker sauce, simmer longer, and for thinner, less time is needed. Sauce can also be thinned using a bit of water if necessary. Brush sauce onto any kind of meat during the last 10 minutes of cooking.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 46.4 calories, Carbohydrate 9.9 g, Cholesterol 1.3 mg, Fat 0.9 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 0.3 g, SaturatedFat 0.4 g, Sodium 219.3 mg, Sugar 8.3 g

KANSAS CITY SWEET AND SMOKY BARBECUE RUB



Kansas City Sweet and Smoky Barbecue Rub image

Sweet rather than salty, flavorful rather than fiery, this seasoning mix contains mustard in the style of a Memphis rub and chili powder in the style of Texas.

Provided by Steven Raichlen

Categories     Grill/Barbecue     Spice     Paprika     Ginger     Kansas City     Kansas

Yield Makes about 2 1/2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 14

2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup sweet or smoked paprika
1/4 cup seasoned salt, preferably Basic Seasoned Salt, or a good commercial brand, such as Lawry's
1/4 cup homemade smoked salt, or use a good commercial brand
1/4 cup onion salt
1/4 cup celery salt
2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons pure chile powder (not a blend)
2 teaspoons mustard powder
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

Steps:

  • Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and stir or whisk to mix. Transfer to a large jar, cover, and store away from heat and light. The rub will keep for several weeks.

Tips:

- Brown sugar and paprika give this rub its traditional Kansas City flavor. - Toasting the spices before grinding enhances their flavor. - Apply the rub evenly to the meat, ensuring it penetrates all the nooks and crannies. - Let the meat rest for at least 30 minutes before cooking to allow the flavors to meld. - Cook the meat over indirect heat to prevent flare-ups and ensure even cooking. - Baste the meat with barbecue sauce during the last few minutes of cooking for added flavor and moisture. - Let the meat rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving to allow the juices to redistribute.

Conclusion:

This Kansas City Sweet and Smoky Barbecue Rub is a versatile blend of spices that will add a delicious smoky flavor to your favorite meats. Whether you're grilling, smoking, or roasting, this rub will give your dishes an authentic Kansas City barbecue taste. Experiment with different cooking methods and cuts of meat to find your perfect combination. With its bold and flavorful profile, this rub is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. So fire up the grill and get ready to enjoy some mouthwatering barbecue!

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