Best 3 Old School Southern Barbecue Spare Ribs Recipes

Indulge in the smoky, tender goodness of Southern barbecue spare ribs, a timeless classic that has tantalized taste buds for generations. These succulent ribs are slow-cooked to perfection, basted in a flavorful homemade barbecue sauce that penetrates every bite with a symphony of sweet, tangy, and smoky notes. As you sink your teeth into the fall-off-the-bone meat, the smoky aroma dances on your palate, leaving you craving for more. This comprehensive guide presents a collection of mouthwatering recipes that cater to diverse preferences and dietary needs. From traditional Southern-style ribs to healthier alternatives and even a tantalizing vegan option, this article has something for every barbecue enthusiast. Get ready to fire up your grill or oven and embark on a culinary journey that will transport you to the heart of Southern barbecue tradition.

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OLD-SCHOOL SOUTHERN BARBECUE SPARE RIBS

old-school Southern barbecue spare ribs image

barbecue ribs have changed a lot. Complex barbecue rubs consisting of salt, sugars, spices, and herbs are very common these days as seasoning for ribs. Barbecue cookers with great temperature control make it unnecessary to baste or mop the meat, and barbecue sauce has become as popular as catsup. The flavors in this recipe are...

Provided by Lynnda Cloutier

Categories Ribs

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

two slabs whole spareribs, about 4 pounds each
1 1/2 tablespoon salt
1/2 tablespoon finely ground black pepper
1/2 tablespoon granulated garlic
1/2 tablespoon onion powder
mop:
1/4 cup olive oil
one small onion, finely chopped
two cloves garlic, crushed
one serrano chile, seeded and finely chopped
3/4 cup apple juice
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup catsup
2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoon soy sauce
2 tablespoons hot sauce

Steps:

1. at least a half hour and up to four hours before you plan to cook the ribs, peel the membrane off the back of the ribs and cut the flap off. Trim any excess of fat. Mix the salt, pepper, granulated garlic, and onion powder in a small bowl. Mix well. Season the ribs on both sides with the mixture. Refrigerate.
2. To make the mop, in a medium pan over medium heat, heat the oil. Add the onion, garlic, and chili. Cook for about four minutes, stirring often, until the onion is soft. Add the Apple juice, vinegar, catsup, and Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and hot sauce. Mix well and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let rest for 15 minutes to steep. Strain the mop mixture through cheesecloth or small strainer, then transfer to a spray or squeeze bottle. Set aside.
3. Prepare grill for cooking over indirect heat at 250° using Hickory and cherry wood for flavor. Place the ribs, meaty side up, directly on the cooking grate and close the lid. Cook for 1 1/2 hours without opening the lid. Spray or drizzle some of the mop, on the ribs and cook for another 30 minutes. Spray or drizzle more of the mop, flip, and spray or drizzle again. Repeat every 30 minutes until the ribs are tender. This should take 5 to 6 hours total. Check for doneness by sticking a toothpick down into the meat, between the bones. It should slide in easily. Transfer the ribs, meaty side down, to a cutting board. With a sharp knife, cut through the slab completely at each rib. Flip the ribs back over and transfer them to a platter. Serves 4 to 6.

SOUTHERN GRILLED BARBECUED RIBS

Southern Grilled Barbecued Ribs image

These ribs will have the smoky flavor without all the grilling time. It takes just 30 minutes on the grill to give the ribs that smoky flavor Southerners expect. You can use this recipe for spare ribs too, just bake for 15 minutes longer.

Provided by MYSST

Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Pork Pork Rib Recipes Baby Back Ribs

Time 1h50m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

4 pounds baby back pork ribs
⅔ cup water
⅓ cup red wine vinegar
1 cup ketchup
1 cup water
½ cup cider vinegar
⅓ cup Worcestershire sauce
¼ cup prepared mustard
4 tablespoons butter
½ cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
⅛ teaspoon salt

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place ribs in two 10x15 inch roasting pans. Pour water and red wine vinegar into a bowl, and stir. Pour diluted vinegar over ribs and cover with foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Baste the ribs with their juices halfway through cooking.
In a medium saucepan, mix together ketchup, water, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, butter, brown sugar, hot pepper sauce, and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer barbeque sauce for 1 hour.
Preheat grill for medium heat.
Lightly oil preheated grill. Transfer ribs from the oven to the grill, discarding cooking liquid. Grill over medium heat for 15 minutes, turning ribs once. Baste ribs generously with barbeque sauce, and grill 8 minutes. Turn ribs, baste again with barbeque sauce, and grill 8 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 519.2 calories, Carbohydrate 24.5 g, Cholesterol 132.2 mg, Fat 35.5 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 25 g, SaturatedFat 14.6 g, Sodium 721.1 mg, Sugar 21.4 g

CLASSIC BARBECUED RIBS

Classic Barbecued Ribs image

These are some classic ribs that your mother used to make.

Provided by Ryan Hagen

Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Pork Pork Rib Recipes Spare Ribs

Time 1h40m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1 (4 pound) package pork spareribs
1 pinch garlic salt, or to taste
1 cup ketchup
½ cup white vinegar
¼ cup white sugar
4 teaspoons celery salt
1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Sprinkle ribs with garlic salt and place into a roasting pan.
Stir ketchup, vinegar, sugar, celery salt, chili powder, salt, dry mustard, paprika, and black pepper together in a bowl; pour over the ribs.
Cook, basting with the pan drippings every half-hour, until the meat pulls away easily from the bone, about 90 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 907.5 calories, Carbohydrate 29.1 g, Cholesterol 240.2 mg, Fat 61 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 59.3 g, SaturatedFat 22.2 g, Sodium 3010.7 mg, Sugar 26.3 g

Tips:

Choose the right ribs: Select spare ribs that are meaty and have a good amount of marbling. Avoid ribs that are thin or have a lot of bone.
Prepare the ribs: Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs and trim off any excess fat. Cut the ribs into individual pieces, about 2-3 inches long.
Make the rub: Combine a mixture of spices, herbs, and sugar to create a flavorful rub. Common ingredients include brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and chili powder.
Apply the rub: Rub the spice mixture all over the ribs, making sure to coat them evenly. Let the ribs sit for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight, to allow the flavors to penetrate.
Cook the ribs: Place the ribs in a smoker or on a grill over indirect heat. Cook the ribs slowly at a temperature of around 225-250°F for 2-3 hours, or until the meat is tender and falls off the bone.
Baste the ribs: During the cooking process, baste the ribs with a mixture of barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar. This will help to keep the ribs moist and add extra flavor.
Serve the ribs: Once the ribs are cooked, remove them from the smoker or grill and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve the ribs with your favorite barbecue sauce and sides such as coleslaw, baked beans, or potato salad.

Conclusion:

Old-school Southern barbecue spare ribs are a classic dish that is sure to impress your friends and family. By following these tips, you can create tender, flavorful ribs that will be the star of any barbecue. So fire up your smoker or grill and get ready to enjoy some delicious old-school Southern barbecue ribs.