How do you make your ribs?

Looking for the best rubs ansd sauces. Now that things are warming up it's time to start smokin' some ribs.

[kgoings]

*subscribe*

[T.G]

BRTU

Make sure you remember to remove the membrane from the inside (stomach side) of the ribs prior to cooking. A dull/rounded tip knife and a paper towel to grip the membrane when peeling it are extremely helpful.


Personal changes to the recipe:

-I substitute apple for the white oak in the smoking woods, since apple is convenient for me right now. I also add a small piece of hickory sometimes. I don't remove the bark because I personally can't tell the difference.

-I'm not crazy about pre-fabricated BBQ sauces, so I'll be attempting my own coke/pepsi/dr pepper (using the cane sugar versions of the sodas) based sauces, but I still haven't gotten around to this part.

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by T.G

BRTU

Make sure you remember to remove the membrane from the inside (stomach side) of the ribs prior to cooking. A dull/rounded tip knife and a paper towel to grip the membrane when peeling it are extremely helpful.

I also remove the false rib meat (flap) on the back and square the whole ribs a little. If that means cutting off a couple of short ribs, so be it. The WSM is only so wide.

In addition to the rub, which I am not that picky and do not follow a recipe, I'll use a little Worcestershire sauce before the rub and/or little maple syrup or molasses.

I season to how I feel at that moment and how much time I have. Basically all the rubs are 50% salt, the rest spices and some herbs.

I like Crazy Dave's BBQ sauce as it is a deal at Costco and does not compete with ribs. Cattleman's is decent too.

[wayner123]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

I also remove the false rib meat (flap) on the back and square the whole ribs a little. If that means cutting off a couple of short ribs, so be it. The WSM is only so wide.

In addition to the rub, which I am not that picky and do not follow a recipe, I'll use a little Worcestershire sauce before the rub and/or little maple syrup or molasses.

I season to how I feel at that moment and how much time I have. Basically all the rubs are 50% salt, the rest spices and some herbs.

I like Crazy Dave's BBQ sauce as it is a deal at Costco and does not compete with ribs. Cattleman's is decent too.

Is that a true statement? I am not that familiar with commercial rubs.

Personally I use very little if any salt in my home made rubs. I feel it will pull moisture out of the meat. I do salt once the meat comes off though.

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by wayner123

Is that a true statement? I am not that familiar with commercial rubs.

Well, it's the first ingredient on the list of commercial rubs. Take a look at the next rub you buy and judge for yourself. I eyeball my rubs. I figure how much salt is needed for the amount of meat I have and then add the spices to it. 40% salt is fine too. This is not an exact science for. Whim plays a role. Basically they'll all have (for my rubs).

Salt
Garlic Powder
Hot Spanish Paprika
Oregano
Tumeric
Black Pepper
Corriander
Yellow Mustard Seed
Sugar
Thyme

I'll crush everthing in mortar except for the black pepper which I add after and stir in.

I do not leave the rub on very long, basically season and throw on the smoker. Since ribs can take 6 hours, why bother letting them set up so long? You still want to taste the pork too, right?

[wayner123]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

Well, it's the first ingredient on the list of commercial rubs. Take a look at the next rub you buy and judge for yourself. I eyeball my rubs. I figure how much salt is needed for the amount of meat I have and then add the spices to it. 40% salt is fine too. This is not an exact science for. Whim plays a role. Basically they'll all have (for my rubs).

Salt
Garlic Powder
Hot Spanish Paprika
Oregano
Tumeric
Black Pepper
Corriander
Yellow Mustard Seed
Sugar
Thyme

I'll crush everthing in mortar except for the black pepper which I add after and stir in.

I do not leave the rub on very long, basically season and throw on the smoker. Since ribs can take 6 hours, why bother letting them set up so long? You still want to taste the pork too, right?

What type of sugar? Turbinado?

[T.G]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

I also remove the false rib meat (flap) on the back and square the whole ribs a little. If that means cutting off a couple of short ribs, so be it. The WSM is only so wide.

Roll 'em up dude.



(not my photographs)

[OLS]

REALY?? No comment on my NOT removing the membrane, lol. I will go ahead and place
my snappy comeback here early, then. "You eat smoked sausage, don't you? When you do,
you are either eating a synthetic paper or skin, or the actual tissue of a meat bearing animal as the
casing. My guess is it never crosses your mind."
When I cook ribs, the membrane cooks away to a crispy flaky nothing that tastes like nothing. Ribs are also
thin enough to get total smoke ring penetration without removing the membrane. I DO imagine that
smoke penetration is one of the two reasons folks remove the membrane?

[T.G]

Originally Posted by OLS

REALY?? No comment on my NOT removing the membrane, lol. I will go ahead and place
my snappy comeback here early, then. "You eat smoked sausage, don't you? When you do,
you are either eating a synthetic paper or skin, or the actual tissue of a meat bearing animal as the
casing. My guess is it never crosses your mind."
When I cook ribs, the membrane cooks away to a crispy flaky nothing that tastes like nothing. Ribs are also
thin enough to get total smoke ring penetration without removing the membrane. I DO imagine that
smoke penetration is one of the two reasons folks remove the membrane?

There are many different ways to cook the same thing and achieve equally good, abet different, results.

[TheRiddick]

Originally Posted by OLS

REALY?? No comment on my NOT removing the membrane, lol. I will go ahead and place
my snappy comeback here early, then. "You eat smoked sausage, don't you? When you do,
you are either eating a synthetic paper or skin, or the actual tissue of a meat bearing animal as the
casing. My guess is it never crosses your mind."
When I cook ribs, the membrane cooks away to a crispy flaky nothing that tastes like nothing. Ribs are also
thin enough to get total smoke ring penetration without removing the membrane. I DO imagine that
smoke penetration is one of the two reasons folks remove the membrane?

I do not remove the membrane, either. Works fine and so far I have not noticed any difference, as you said, it cooks to a perfect "nothing".

[captain53]

[quote=T.G;798250]BRTU

Make sure you remember to remove the membrane from the inside (stomach side) of the ribs prior to cooking. A dull/rounded tip knife and a paper towel to grip the membrane when peeling it are extremely helpful.

[cricky101]

Woo Hoo! I've got a rack of spare ribs on the smoker right now. Just store-bought rub though Smells goooooood!

[OLS]

Hmm. You guys are going to think I am pretty gross, but I have never removed the membrane on ribs.
Maybe I sear and char mine a little more than most, but there is no detecting it in the finished product
that I have ever found. Certainly no taste or texture that is off-putting. And my ribs kick a$$.

I DO remove the flap

Originally Posted by T.G

BRTU

Make sure you remember to remove the membrane

I cant agree anymore but other then to do it every single time. i like to use a memphis style rub on mine. if i have a enough time i also like to do a spit.

first I put a rub on the ribs, then salt and pepper, then brown sugar to make a sweet crust around the top put them in foil and toss it on the grill with tons of coals burning nice and slow. Leave it on for an hour, then take them out of the foil and give it a bath in BBQ sauce and put them back on the grill sans foil to solidify everything again......

I tried making my own rub but I could never get it tasting better than my staple Rendezvous rub so I've gone back.....

[Volt]

Ok, I have posted this before but couldn't find it. I use the same rub and wet sauce on brisket, london broil and my ribs.... Although written for the London Broil for me the cook time on the ribs is 4 hours or more. Low, low, low heat is the answer, no more than ~235*.

3lb London Broil (feeds ~9 biker types, more if not)

This is done in parts which makes it easy for increasing as needed.

8 pts dark brown sugar
1 pt coarse salt
1 pt fresh ground black pepper
1 pt onion powder
1 pt garlic powder
1 pt thyme
1 pt Old Bay seasoning (dry)

the heavy spices (add to taste)
Cayanne pepper (I actually do a 1/2 here to accomadate the weak)
Chili seasoning powder (again a 1/2 part, ensure fresh and not sitting in the big plastic jug for months).

Mix, rub the meat, wrap in Saran wrap at least 4 hours (I go over night).

Heat the BBQ to 225* to 235* !!!! We are BBQing here not grilling. Turn/flip once an hour. NO peeking. If your looking it aint cooking, it will do fine with out you opening the BBQ up. I prefer and use mesquite wood. Any of the softer flavors (apple, peach, hickory) seem to get lost with this seasoning mix. Cook with indirect heat, no flames under the meat (in fact as far from the flame as possible). Cook time is 2:15 to 3 hours depending on how you like your meat or use a meat thermometer. Let the meat rest at least 10 - 15 min prior to cutting. Outstanding with some roasted corn from the top grill and tater salad.

Wet....

This rub really doesn't need a sauce, but.... I guess you can put the commercial cheap BBQ sauce on the table if you have to have it wet. On the other hand this sauce is outstanding with this dry rub as a dipping sauce.

1 cup Bourbon whiskey (no cheap stuff here)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup chopped yellow onion
1 tablespoon Essence, recipe follows
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 cup ketchup
3/4 cup brewed strong black coffee
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons cane syrup or dark molasses
1 tablespoon hot red pepper sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Place the bourbon in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Simmer until reduced to 1/3 cup. Remove from the heat and let cool.

In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions, Essence, and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, pepper, and lemon and cook, stirring for 30 seconds. Add the ketchup, coffee, sugar, vinegar, lemon juice, Worcestershire, cane syrup, and hot sauce, and bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Add the bourbon and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.

Remove from the heat. With a hand-held immersion blender, or in batches in a food processor, puree on high speed until smooth. Adjust the seasoning, to taste. As a curtesy, inform your guests that might have a issue with drinking that bourbon was used. The oak, charred flavors the bourbon add are excellant and the alchocol burns off, but letting them know is the right thing to do.

When your done with all this you'll never do the dishes, usually I get told to have a bourbon and a smoke. Easy stuff that will make you look like a Chef.

[shilala]

I use Sweet Baby Ray's on my beef ribs and shrimp. It gets better than that, but not enough to warrant the extra work. Maybe this summer I'll try some recipes. That's why I subscribed with Kirk.

Today I was thinking how good skewered and grilled bbq shrimp would be on a fajiita with fresh guac and fresh cilantro salsa. The thought is almost bringing tears to my eyes.

[drob]

Originally Posted by shilala

I use Sweet Baby Ray's on my beef ribs and shrimp. It gets better than that, but not enough to warrant the extra work. Maybe this summer I'll try some recipes. That's why I subscribed with Kirk.

Today I was thinking how good skewered and grilled bbq shrimp would be on a fajiita with fresh guac and fresh cilantro salsa. The thought is almost bringing tears to my eyes.

For shrimp fajitas I marinate the shrimp for half an hour in a mixture of olive oil, lime juice, minced garlic, and fresh chopped cilantro - and nothing else.
Been doing it like this for a few years now and have never seen the need to vary the recipie - it's that good.

[drob]

Ribs (baby backs) I marinate overnight in Dale's. An hour brfore I slap them on the pit, I rub them down with salt, black pepper, chili powder, and brown sugar. On the pit for two - two and a half hours, then wrap them in tin foil and put them in a 220 degree oven for another two hours. No cutting or chewing required.