Smoky Pork Spare Ribs

Smoky Pork Spare Ribs

Adapted from Anne Burrell

This makes enough dry rub and sauce for two racks, but if you aren't feeding a crowd, feel free to make this with only one. Store the leftovers in tightly sealed containers - dry rub in the pantry, bbq sauce in the fridge.

Ingredients

Dry Rub:

• 1” cinnamon stick
• 2 tablespoons coriander seeds
• 2 teaspoons fennel seeds
• 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
• 10 black peppercorns
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground chipotle powder
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 or 2 racks pork spare ribs (~3 lbs each)
• 1 or 2 12-ounce beers

BBQ Sauce:

• ½ small yellow onion, minced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 14 oz can tomato sauce
• ¼ C packed brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoon molasses
• 1 chipotle in adobo, chopped
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper

Method

1. In a small pan over medium heat, dry toast the cinnamon, coriander, fennel, cumin and peppercorns until fragrant. Grind them and combine with brown sugar, 1 tablespoon kosher salt, smoked paprika, ground chipotle, dry mustard, and cayenne pepper. Rub this mixture on the pork, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 12-24 hours (24 is best).
2. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Place the ribs on a sheet pan (or two, depending on size) and pour a beer into the bottom of the pan. Cover the pan with foil, not touching the meat. Bake for one hour, then flip the ribs over and replace the foil. Bake for one more hour.
3. After flipping the ribs over, make the BBQ sauce: Sweat the onions and garlic in a medium pot until translucent. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, until the flavors have come together. Check for seasonings. Strain the sauce through a sieve and set aside.
4. After the ribs have cooked for two hours, remove the foil, baste with the BBQ sauce on one side and put back in the oven for 15 minutes. Flip the ribs over, baste the other side, and bake 15 more minutes. Cut the ribs apart and serve, with extra sauce if desired.