Best 8 Memphis Dry Rub Ribs Steven Raichlen Recipes

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Memphis-style dry rub ribs are a classic barbecue dish that's known for its smoky flavor and fall-off-the-bone tenderness. This recipe from Steven Raichlen, barbecue expert and author of "The Barbecue Bible," yields tender, juicy ribs with a perfect balance of spices. The dry rub, made with a combination of paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper, gives the ribs a delicious crust. The ribs are then smoked for several hours over indirect heat, allowing the smoke to penetrate the meat and impart a rich, smoky flavor. The result is a rack of ribs that's sure to please even the most discerning barbecue enthusiasts.

In addition to the classic dry rub ribs, the article also includes recipes for two other Memphis-style rib variations: wet ribs and barbecue ribs. The wet ribs are coated in a sweet and tangy sauce made with vinegar, brown sugar, and spices, while the barbecue ribs are slathered in a smoky, savory sauce made with ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. All three recipes are easy to follow and yield delicious results, making them perfect for your next backyard barbecue or potluck.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

MEMPHIS RUB BY STEVEN RAICHLEN



Memphis Rub by Steven Raichlen image

We found this recipe in his amazing cookbook and off his cooking show. This is made for Beer can chicken, but can also be used on ribs. I hate salt,so I never use it in this recipe, but if you are salt lovers, go for it!!

Provided by dragonpawz

Categories     < 15 Mins

Time 15m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/4 cup paprika
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon celery salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 -3 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder

Steps:

  • Mix all ingredients together, using the cayenne pepper to your heat preference.
  • Rub on a whole chicken for beer can chicken, or a rack of ribs.
  • Makes about a half a cup of rub.

MEMPHIS PORK RIBS (STEVEN RAICHLEN)



Memphis Pork Ribs (Steven Raichlen) image

Another variation for pork ribs. This recipe is for 2 racks (5lbs) and includes a dry rub and an optional mopping sauce. Serve it with your favorite BBQ sauce. This recipe works equally well in the oven with the ribs on a roasting rack. Raichlen also says to marinate in the dry rub 4 hours to overnight, but I don't find this necessary.

Provided by threeovens

Categories     Pork

Time 1h45m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoon fresh ground black pepper
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons celery salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 cups distilled white vinegar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon kosher salt
5 lbs pork ribs (2 racks)

Steps:

  • Set up your grill for indirect heating at 350 degrees F; place a drip pan in the middle of your coals.
  • Remove the silver skin from the ribs with your hands.
  • Combine all the rub ingredients and rub 2/3 of it on both sides of ribs.
  • Place ribs on the grill and close the cover.
  • Combine all the ingredients for the mopping sauce.
  • After 30 minutes of cooking, mop the ribs with the sauce; repeat mopping every 20 minutes thereafter.
  • Continue to cook the ribs until they are tender and the meat has shrunk a bit from the bones, about 1 1/2 hours.
  • Remove ribs from the grill, once they are done, and place on a cutting board; mop ribs one last time and sprinkle with remaining dry rub.
  • Cut into serving size pieces as desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 645.1, Fat 48.5, SaturatedFat 17.5, Cholesterol 173.8, Sodium 1018.1, Carbohydrate 3, Fiber 1, Sugar 1.4, Protein 45

MEMPHIS-STYLE RIBS



Memphis-Style Ribs image

Provided by Steven Raichlen

Categories     Backyard BBQ     Dinner     Lunch     Beef Rib     Tailgating     Grill     Grill/Barbecue     Sugar Conscious     Dairy Free     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free

Yield Makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

Grilling Method
Indirect grilling
Advance preparation
4 to 8 hours for marinating the ribs
Special equipment
1 1/2 cups wood chips or chunks (preferably hickory), soaked for 1 hour in cold water to cover and drained
For the ribs and rub
3 racks baby back pork ribs (about 7 pounds), or 2 racks pork spareribs (6 to 8 pounds total)
1/4 cup sweet paprika
4 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
4 1/2 teaspoons dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons celery salt
1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
For the mop sauce (optional)
2 cups cider vinegar
1/2 cup yellow (ballpark) mustard
2 teaspoons salt

Steps:

  • 1. Prepare the ribs and rub: Remove the thin, papery skin from the back of each rack of ribs by pulling it off in a sheet with your fingers, using the corner of a kitchen towel to gain a secure grip, or with pliers.
  • 2. Combine the paprika, black pepper, brown sugar, salt, celery salt, cayenne, garlic powder, dry mustard, and cumin in a small bowl and whisk to mix. Rub two thirds of this mixture over the ribs on both sides, then transfer the ribs to a roasting pan. Cover and let cure, in the refrigerator, for 4 to 8 hours.
  • 3. Prepare the mop sauce (if using): Mix together the cider vinegar, mustard, and salt in a bowl and set aside.
  • 4. Set up the grill for indirect grilling and place a large drip pan in the center.
  • If using a gas grill, place all of the wood chips in the smoker box and preheat the grill to high; when smoke appears, reduce the heat to medium.
  • If using a charcoal grill, preheat it to medium.
  • 5. When ready to cook, if using a charcoal grill, toss the wood chips on the coals. Brush and oil the grill grate. Arrange the ribs on the hot grate over the drip pan. Cover the grill and smoke cook the ribs for 1 hour.
  • 6. When the ribs have cooked for an hour, uncover the grill and brush the ribs with the mop sauce (if using). Re-cover the grill and continue cooking the ribs until tender and almost done, 1/4 to 1/2 hour longer for baby back ribs, 1/2 to 1 hour longer for spareribs. The ribs are done when the meat is very tender and has shrunk back from the ends of the bones. If using a charcoal grill, you'll need to add 10 to 12 fresh coals to each side after 1 hour. Fifteen minutes before the ribs are done, season them with the remaining rub, sprinkling it on.
  • 7. To serve, cut the racks in half or, for a plate-burying effect, just leave them whole.

MEMPHIS DRY RUB RIBS (STEVEN RAICHLEN)



Memphis Dry Rub Ribs (Steven Raichlen) image

Fashioned after Charlie Vergos' famous ribs-grilled over charcoal, mopped with vinegar sauce, and coated with a dry rub just before serving. Nearly impossible to duplicate these famous ribs at home because Vergos cooks them in a one-of-a kind pit and the rub recipe is a closely guarded secret. Here is Mr. Raichlen's take on my favorite ribs.

Provided by ratherbeswimmin

Categories     < 4 Hours

Time 1h30m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 18

3 tablespoons sweet paprika
3 tablespoons pure chile powder
1 tablespoon salt
2 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons dried thyme
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons yellow mustard seeds
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon celery seed
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup distilled white vinegar
1 tablespoon salt
2 tablespoons memphis dry rub seasonings
4 slabs baby back ribs (6-8 lb.)
salt
fresh ground black pepper

Steps:

  • You will need a barbecue mop.
  • Make the rub: add the rub ingredients to a bowl; stir to mix.
  • Store rub in an airtight container away from heat and light; will keep for 6 months.
  • Make the mop sauce-add the vinegar, salt, and rub in a bowl; add 1 cup water; whisk until the salt dissolves; set aside.
  • Remove the thin, papery membrane from the back of each rack of ribs.
  • Generously season the ribs all over with salt and pepper.
  • Set up grill for direct grilling (charcoal is more accurate); preheat to medium.
  • When ready to cook, brush the grill grate, place the ribs on the hot grate, bone side down, and grill until that side is sizzling and golden brown, about 35 minutes.
  • Turn the ribs and grill meat side down until that side is sizzling and golden brown, about 25 minutes longer.
  • When fully cooked, the ribs will be nicely browned and tender enough to pull apart with your fingers.
  • The dripping fat may cause flare-ups; if this happens, move the ribs to another spot on the grate.
  • Transfer the grilled ribs to a platter or cutting board.
  • Generously brush or mop the ribs on both sides with the mop sauce.
  • Thickly sprinkle the meat side with the remaining rub to form a crust.
  • You can use all or the rub or just a part, depending on your fondness for spice.
  • Mr. Raichlen likes a crust about 1/8 inch thick; serve the ribs as whole racks, cut the racks in pieces, or carve them into individual ribs and serve any remaining rub on the side.

MEMPHIS DRY-RUBBED BACK RIBS



Memphis Dry-Rubbed Back Ribs image

When you go to the barbecue joints in Memphis, you can typically get your ribs wet or dry, the difference being that the wet ribs will be finished with a pretty heavy slather of a tomato-based, fairly sweet barbecue sauce, while the dry ribs will be finished with an additional dusting of the house barbecue rub. I happen to like the dry-rubbed version better, but there's usually a bottle of sauce on the table so I can add a little if I want. The most famous of all the dry rib joints in Memphis is The Rendezvous and I really like their ribs. They use loin baby back ribs and they cook them over charcoal until done, then they finish them with another layer of their delicious dry rub. I hope you like my version. These would go very well served with white beans and cornbread.

Provided by Food Network

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 slabs pork loin baby back ribs, about 2 1/4 pounds each
Rib Rub #99 as needed, recipe follows
3/4 cup Sugar In The Raw
1/2 cup salt
1/4 cup paprika
2 tablespoons finely ground black pepper
1 tablespoon granulated garlic
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

Steps:

  • At least a half hour and up to 4 hours before you plan to cook the ribs, peel the membrane off the back of the ribs and trim any excessive fat. Season the ribs liberally on both sides with the Rib Rub. Refrigerate.
  • Prepare the grill for cooking over indirect heat at 300 degrees F using apple or cherry wood for flavor. Place the ribs directly on the cooking grate, meaty-side up. Cook for 1 hour. Flip and cook another 30 minutes. Flip again and cook until they are nicely caramelized and golden brown, about another 30 minutes, but may vary depending on your grill. Transfer the ribs to a platter.
  • Lay out two big double-layered sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil, each big enough to wrap a whole slab of the ribs. Transfer the ribs to the foil, meaty-side up. Fold the foil up around the ribs into a packet. Seal the packets snugly, being careful not to puncture the foil with the rib bones. Return to the grill for 45 minutes to 1 hour to reach your desired degree of tenderness. The best way to determine the doneness is to open the foil after 45 minutes and feel the texture of the meat. It should be very tender. Transfer the foil packets to a platter. Raise the temp of the grill to 400 degrees F. Remove the ribs from the foil and return to the cooking grate. Sprinkle lightly with additional Rib Rub #99. Cook for 5 minutes. Flip and sprinkle the other side lightly with the Rib Rub and cook for 5 minutes. Flip one last time and cook for 5 minutes more. Remove the ribs to a platter. Serve 1/2 slab to each guest.
  • Combine all ingredients, mix well, and store in an airtight container.

DRY RUB RIBS- MEMPHIS (DAVE'S DINNERS)



Dry Rub Ribs- Memphis (Dave's Dinners) image

Provided by Dave Lieberman

Categories     main-dish

Time 2h15m

Yield about 15 ribs

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 pounds baby back ribs
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon dry oregano
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
25 grinds fresh black pepper
3 tablespoons vegetable oil

Steps:

  • Preheat over to 300 degrees F.
  • Mix the rub ingredients together well in a small bowl.
  • Remove the membrane from the bone side of the ribs, then rub the vegetable oil onto the ribs. Pour the rub over the ribs and work the rub fully and evenly into the ribs. Spread the ribs out evenly on a foil-lined baking sheet.
  • Bake until tender and juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside, about 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

MEMPHIS DRY RUB



Memphis Dry Rub image

This is a wonderful and spicy rub that goes great on beef or pork ribs! Put it on ribs lightly to get a nice kick and put it on heavy to get a bold hot dish!

Provided by Nikki Johnson

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes

Time 10m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 9

¼ cup brown sugar
¼ cup white sugar
¼ cup paprika
3 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon chili powder

Steps:

  • Combine brown sugar, white sugar, paprika, salt, onion powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, garlic powder, and chili powder in a bowl.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 24.6 calories, Carbohydrate 5.9 g, Fat 0.3 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 0.4 g, Sodium 876.8 mg, Sugar 4.7 g

MEMPHIS DRY-RUB RIBS



Memphis Dry-Rub Ribs image

This Juneteenth showstopper, using a dry rub from Greg Collier, the chef and co-owner of Leah & Louise in Charlotte, N.C., is an ode to the flavors of the Mississippi Delta. The smoky, sweet, salty pork ribs slow roast in the oven, yielding tender meat seasoned with a traditional barbecue dry rub. You can substitute the pork for slab beef spareribs with equally good results, or use mushrooms for a vegetarian approach. Crushed peanuts and sweet-potato pikliz make the ribs a meal.

Provided by Nicole Taylor

Categories     dinner, barbecues, finger foods, meat, roasts, main course

Time 3h

Yield 3 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/2 (packed) cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup hot paprika
2 tablespoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons onion powder
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin seed
1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
4 pounds bone-in country pork rib rack
Crushed unsalted peanuts, for garnish (optional)

Steps:

  • Make the rub: In a large bowl, combine all rub ingredients and mix well.
  • Prepare the ribs: Rinse the pork ribs then pat dry and place on a medium sheet pan, fat side up. Coat the ribs all over with the dry rub. Place in the fridge uncovered for at least 7 hours or overnight.
  • Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. Transfer ribs to rack and cook, uncovered, 1 1/2 hours. Cover with foil and cook for an additional 1 hour. The ribs will be done when they have an internal temperature of 180 degrees and the meat pulls away from the bone.
  • Let rest for 30 minutes before slicing into individual ribs. Garnish with crushed peanuts, if desired.

Tips:

  • Choosing the right ribs: Look for spare ribs or baby back ribs with good marbling and a nice pink color.
  • Preparing the ribs: Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs to help the rub penetrate the meat.
  • Applying the rub: Use a generous amount of rub and massage it into the ribs, making sure to coat all sides.
  • Cooking the ribs: Cook the ribs slowly and low, either in the oven or on a smoker, until the meat is tender and flavorful.
  • Basting the ribs: Baste the ribs with barbecue sauce or apple juice during the last hour of cooking to add flavor and moisture.

Conclusion:

Memphis-style dry rub ribs are a delicious and classic dish that is perfect for any occasion. With the right ingredients and a little patience, you can easily make these ribs at home. So fire up your grill or smoker and get ready to enjoy some amazing ribs!

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