Memphis Style Dry Rubbed Ribs Recipes

MEMPHIS DRY-RUBBED BABY BACK RIBS RECIPE

Steps:

• Pat both sides of slabs dry with paper towels. Using a sharp knife, remove thin membrane from back of each by slicing into it and pulling it off with a paper towel. (This will make ribs more tender and allow meat to absorb the rub better.) Combine salt, brown sugar, paprika, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dry mustard, chili powder, cumin, allspice, and herbes de Provence in a medium bowl. Rub ¾ cup mixture evenly over both sides of slabs, and let stand at room temperature 30 minutes.
• Prepare a charcoal fire in smoker according to manufacturer's instructions, substituting a mixture of ¾ cup each of the vinegar and water in drip pan. Bring internal temperature to 250°F to 275°F, and maintain for 15 to 20 minutes. Place wood chunks on coals. Place slabs on smoker, meaty side up; cover with lid.
• Smoke ribs, maintaining inside temperature between 250°F and 275°F, until meat is tender to the touch and pulls away from bones on the ends, 3 hours to 3 hours and 30 minutes. Remove ribs, and place on a baking sheet. Stir together remaining ¼ cup each of vinegar and water. Spritz or brush vinegar-water mixture on both sides of ribs to thoroughly moisten. If desired, rub remaining ½ cup brown-sugar mixture on both sides of the ribs. Slice ribs between the bones, and serve.

MEMPHIS STYLE DRY RIBS (IN THE OVEN OR ON THE GRILL)

Steps:

• Adjust the oven rack to the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 250°F. Stir together the sugar and all of the spices in a small bowl. Reserve ⅓ of the spice mixture in a separate bowl.
• Place the ribs on a large baking tray, meat side down. Slide a knife just barely under the edge of the membrane at one end of the ribs and then use that loosened edge to pull the membrane off the ribs. (I find it easiest to grab the edge of the membrane with a paper towel and pull it off that way.)
• Pat the ribs dry with a paper towel. Apply the rub generously to the front and back of the ribs (leaving the reserved amount for later use). Place the ribs meat side up on a large foil-lined baking sheet and cook for about 3 hours, until the ribs are tender.
• Pour the vinegar and water into a shallow baking dish. Remove the cooked ribs from the oven and dip them into the vinegar water. Place the wet ribs onto a cutting board or a clean baking sheet and season immediately with a coating of the reserved dry rub. Cut the ribs apart between the bones.
• Preheat the grill to 250°F. If using wood or charcoal, situate the coals on one side of the grill only, leaving the other side open for indirect cooking heat. Stir together the sugar and all of the spices in a small bowl. Reserve ⅓ of the sugar/spice mixture in a separate bowl.
• Place the ribs on a large baking tray, meat side down. Slide a knife just barely under the edge of the membrane at one end of the ribs and then use that loosened edge to pull the membrane off the ribs. (I find it easiest to grab the edge of the membrane with a paper towel and pull it off that way.)
• Pat the ribs dry with a paper towel. Apply the rub generously to the front and back of the ribs (leaving the reserved amount for later use). Place the ribs meat side up on the grill and cook with indirect heat, for 3 - 3½ hours, until the ribs are tender.
• Pour the vinegar and water into a shallow baking dish. Remove the cooked ribs from the oven and dip them into the vinegar water. Place the wet ribs onto a cutting board or a clean baking sheet and season immediately with a coating of the reserved dry rub. Cut the ribs apart between the bones.

MEMPHIS DRY-RUBBED BACK RIBS

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.

MEMPHIS DRY RUB RIBS (STEVEN RAICHLEN)

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.