In the realm of Southern cuisine, Virginia Barbecue Spareribs reign supreme, captivating taste buds with their smoky, tangy, and fall-off-the-bone tenderness. These succulent ribs are meticulously prepared with a blend of spices and a special vinegar-based sauce, resulting in a flavor profile that is both distinctive and delectable. This article presents a collection of time-honored recipes that unveil the secrets behind authentic Virginia Barbecue Spareribs.
Dive into the classic recipe, where pork spareribs are lovingly seasoned with a harmonious blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dry mustard, salt, and black pepper. The ribs are then slow-cooked in a flavorful bath of apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and a touch of liquid smoke, achieving a tender and succulent texture.
For a unique twist, explore the recipe that incorporates Dr. Pepper soda into the braising liquid. This unexpected ingredient adds a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor to the ribs, creating a tantalizing symphony of tastes.
If you prefer a spicier rendition, venture into the recipe that infuses the ribs with a fiery blend of cayenne pepper, chili powder, and cumin. This fiery concoction adds an extra kick that will ignite your taste buds and leave you craving more.
For those seeking a smoky and aromatic experience, uncover the recipe that utilizes a homemade dry rub, featuring a smoky combination of smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. These ribs are then slow-cooked over indirect heat, infusing them with a rich, smoky flavor that will transport you to a backyard barbecue.
No matter your preference, these recipes provide a comprehensive guide to crafting authentic Virginia Barbecue Spareribs. Each recipe is meticulously detailed, ensuring that every step is crystal clear, and the result is a rack of ribs that is tender, flavorful, and sure to impress. So, fire up your grill, gather your ingredients, and embark on a culinary journey that will leave you and your loved ones craving for more.
BEST-EVER GRILLED RIBS
Steps:
- Preheat a grill (charcoal or gas) to 300˚, with the coals or flames only under one half of the grill.
- For the spice rub: In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper and cayenne (if using) to combine.
- Place the rack of ribs on a large sheet tray and remove the membrane from the underside of the ribs. Rub the vegetable oil all over both sides of the ribs, then sprinkle evenly with the spice rub.
- Place the ribs on the sheet tray, with the curves of the bones facing down. Add the chicken stock and vinegar to the tray. Wrap the tray tightly with aluminum foil and place on the grill over the side with no coals/flame. Cook over indirect heat until the internal temperature of the ribs reads 180˚ to 190˚, about 80 to 90 minutes.
- Increase the grill temperature to 375˚ and oil the grill grates well. Transfer the ribs directly over the grill grates and brush the tops with the BBQ sauce. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Carefully turn the ribs over and baste the other side with the BBQ sauce. Cover again and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Continue basting and turning the ribs until the BBQ sauce has created a sticky coating and the ribs are charred in spots, 10 to 20 minutes longer.
- Transfer the ribs to a cutting board, cut into pieces and serve.
EASY FALL OFF THE BONE OVEN-BAKED RIBS
Low and slow cooking make these oven-baked ribs fall off the bone tender. Once baked, we like to add our sweet and spicy barbecue sauce to the ribs, but use whatever you love. For the most tender ribs, we remove the thin membrane covering the back of the rack. Depending on where you have purchased ribs, this may already be done for you. If not, instructions are in the notes section below. FAQ: We call for baby back ribs in the recipe, but other types of ribs (spareribs, country-style, St. Louis-style) will work with this recipe. Cook time should be similar, we recommend that you check on the ribs while they cook to see how they are progressing. FAQ: Doubling or tripling the recipe below should not change the recipe method or bake time. You might need to use two pans for baking.
Provided by Adam and Joanne Gallagher
Categories Dinner
Time 3h15m
Yield Makes 4 Servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Heat oven to 275° Fahrenheit (135C).
- If the ribs still have the thin membrane covering the back of the rack, remove it. See how in the notes section below.
- Season both sides of the ribs with a generous amount of salt and pepper. If you are using a spice rub, add season the ribs with it now. Place the ribs, meat-side up, into a large roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet. (It may be necessary to cut the ribs in half for them to fit into the pan).
- Cover the pan or baking sheet tightly with aluminum foil, and then bake until the meat falls easily from the bones, 2 ½ to 3 ½ hours. We like to check the ribs after 2 hours to see how they are progressing. The ribs are done when the meat is cooked through and tender.
- While the ribs bake, make the barbecue sauce. Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the onions and cook until soft and translucent, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in the cumin and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
- Add the ketchup, hot chili sauce, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar. Stir to combine, season with salt then cook for 2 minutes. Set aside in preparation for the ribs to finish roasting.
- Remove the ribs from the oven, discard the aluminum foil and generously brush both sides with barbecue sauce.
- Optional: Move an oven rack near the top of the oven. Turn broiler to high and broil the ribs for 3-4 minutes, just until the barbecue sauce begins to caramelize. (Keep a close eye on the ribs while they broil so the sauce does not burn.)
- Store baked ribs, in an airtight container, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freeze, wrapped in foil or freezer paper and in an airtight container, for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator, and then reheat.
- To reheat the ribs, wrap in foil or parchment paper and place into a 300°F oven until warmed through, about 30 minutes. If you have some leftover, slather some extra sauce that's been warmed over the ribs before serving.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1/2 rack, Calories 433, Protein 26 g, Carbohydrate 13 g, Fiber 0 g, Sugar 11 g, Fat 30 g, SaturatedFat 10 g, Cholesterol 107 mg, Sodium 694 mg
BEST BARBECUE RIBS EVER
Provided by Katie Lee Biegel
Time 3h35m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Combine the brown sugar, chili powder, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, the oregano, cayenne, garlic powder and onion powder in a small bowl and rub the mixture on both sides of the ribs. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour or overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. In a roasting pan, combine the broth and vinegar. Add the ribs to the pan. Cover with foil and tightly seal. Bake 2 hours. Remove the ribs from the pan and place them on a platter. Pour the liquid from the pan into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook until reduced by half. Add the barbecue sauce.
- Preheat an outdoor grill to medium high. Put the ribs on the grill and cook about 5 minutes on each side, until browned and slightly charred. Cut the ribs between the bones and toss them in a large bowl with the sauce. Serve hot.
OVEN-BARBECUED SPARERIBS
ONE of my family's favorites, this dish is often at the heart of our special meals. All our married children live nearby, so we have family gatherings often. Whenever I prepare these spareribs, I need a large quantity - most everyone asks for seconds. -LaVerna Mjones, Moorhead, Minnesota
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 2h
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Cut ribs into serving-size pieces; place on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes., Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine the remaining ingredients. Simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain ribs; pour sauce over all. , Cover and bake for 30-40 minutes or until tender. Uncover; bake 30 minutes longer, basting several times with sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 884 calories, Fat 48g fat (18g saturated fat), Cholesterol 191mg cholesterol, Sodium 1231mg sodium, Carbohydrate 66g carbohydrate (51g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 48g protein.
CHINESE-STYLE BARBECUED RIBS
These are the best oven-roasted ribs ever, and they can also be finished on a grill for extra smoky flavor. Creating steam in the oven is the key to tender meat. The ingredients here are close to the ones used by traditional Cantonese barbecue masters to produce sticky-salty-sweet meat that has a reddish, caramelized crust - with ketchup standing in for Chinese red fermented tofu. (It can be left out if desired.) Although these ribs are presented as an appetizer in many American Chinese restaurants, barbecued meat is traditionally a main course, served with freshly cooked rice and a green side like smashed cucumber salad or stir-fried bok choy.
Provided by Julia Moskin
Categories dinner, barbecues, finger foods, meat, appetizer, main course
Time 6h
Yield 4 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a food processor or blender, mince garlic and scallions. Add hoisin, ketchup, honey, soy sauce, rice wine or vodka, rice vinegar and five-spice powder. Process until well blended. Taste for sweetness; the mixture should be sweet like barbecue sauce, not candy. Adjust the taste with honey, soy sauce and vinegar.
- Set aside 1/3 cup marinade for basting. Transfer remaining marinade to a container or pan large enough to hold the ribs, or to large resealable plastic bags. Add ribs and turn until well coated. Refrigerate at least 4 hours, and up to 2 days, turning occasionally in the marinade.
- Heat oven to 300 degrees. Set up a rimmed baking sheet (or two) with an oven-safe wire rack that fits inside, the kind you'd use for cooling cookies. Line the bottoms of the pans with foil or nonstick baking mats. Place the racks inside the pans and place the empty pans on the bottom rack of the oven. Pour in hot water until it comes about halfway up the sides of the pan. (Do not skip the water: The steam helps cook the meat to the right tenderness.)
- When the oven is hot, remove the ribs from the marinade and place on the racks, meaty side up. Bake without basting, 1 hour for baby back ribs, 2 hours for St. Louis style ribs. Check the water level occasionally to make sure it hasn't cooked off.
- Remove ribs from the oven and raise the oven temperature to 450 degrees. Pour off any water from the baking sheet and return the ribs to the racks. (Alternatively, you can finish the ribs on a medium-hot grill; see below.)
- Return ribs to the oven and roast (or grill), basting 2 or 3 times with reserved marinade, for 20 to 30 minutes (less time for baby backs, more for spareribs). Watch the ribs carefully to make sure that the edges don't burn, and don't baste them too close to the end; they should be dry and sticky, not wet on the surface.
- Use a big knife to cut between the bones, making sure that each rib has meat on both sides. Mound on a platter, sprinkle with scallions and cilantro, and serve immediately.
BARBECUED SPARERIBS
My husband is a meat cutter at a supermarket and likes to find new ways to smoke or barbecue meat. Several years ago, he discovered this recipe for BBQ spareribs covered in a rich barbecued sauce. It was an instant success with our family and friends. -Bette Brotzel, Billings, Montana
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 20m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- In a Dutch oven, place ribs and onion; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add enough water to cover ribs; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1-1/2 hours or until meat is tender; drain. , Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine sauce ingredients. Simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour or until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally. , Arrange ribs on a rack in a broiler pan. Brush with sauce. Broil 5 in. from the heat for 5 minutes on each side, brushing frequently with sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1024 calories, Fat 64g fat (23g saturated fat), Cholesterol 255mg cholesterol, Sodium 2141mg sodium, Carbohydrate 48g carbohydrate (38g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 62g protein.
BARBECUED SPARERIBS
Steps:
- Stir together sugar, spices, and salt and rub all over ribs to coat well, knocking off excess.
- Put chips in foil and crimp tightly closed to form a packet. Poke holes all over packet.
- Stir together all sauce ingredients until sugar is dissolved.
- Open vents two-thirds in lid and bottom of grill. Light half a chimney of charcoal, then put on one side of bottom rack, mounding and banking against side. Charcoal will be ready for cooking when it turns grayish white (10 to 15 minutes). Temperature should be about 350°F inside covered grill. Add additional charcoal if necessary. (Temperature will gradually drop during cooking; the goal is to maintain a low, continuous heat, about 250°F.) Put wood-chip packet on coals, then arrange grill rack so that one hinged side is over the coals.
- Oil rack lightly. Arrange ribs on rack so that they do not extend over coals, then cover.
- Cook ribs, covered until tender, about 4 hours. Every 20 minutes, baste ribs with sauce, turn over and switch positions, and add about 8 pieces of charcoal to the mound.
Tips:
- Choose the freshest, highest-quality spareribs you can find.
- Trim any excess fat from the ribs before cooking.
- Make sure the ribs are completely coated in the rub before cooking.
- Cook the ribs slowly and low until they are fall-off-the-bone tender.
- Baste the ribs with the barbecue sauce during the last hour of cooking.
- Let the ribs rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve the ribs with your favorite sides, such as coleslaw, baked beans, and potato salad.
Conclusion:
Virginia barbecued spareribs are a delicious and classic dish that is perfect for any occasion. When made with high-quality ingredients and cooked properly, the ribs will be fall-off-the-bone tender and bursting with flavor. So next time you're looking for a special meal, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!
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