Memphis Dry Ribs

Times Icon

Times


Cook Time: 2 hours
Marinating Time: 5 hours

Ingredients Icon

Ingredients

4 pounds pork back ribs, OR meaty spareribs
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon onion powder
3/4 teaspoon celery salt
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 cups wood chips, (use hickory or oak chips for the best flavor)

Cooking Directions Icon

Cooking Directions


Cut ribs into 4 portions. Place ribs in shallow dish. In small bowl, combine brown sugar, paprika, onion powder, celery salt, cumin and black pepper; rub evenly over meaty side of ribs. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for 4 to 24 hours.

At least 1 hour before grilling, soak wood chips in enough water to cover. Drain before using. In charcoal grill with a cover, place preheated coals around a drip pan for medium indirect heat. Add 1/2-inch hot water to drip pan.

Sprinkle half of the drained wood chips over the coals. Place ribs, bone side down, on grill rack over drip pan. Cover and grill for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until ribs are tender. Add more preheated coals (use a hibachi or a metal chimney starter to preheat coals) and wood chips; turn ribs halfway through grilling.

Serves 4.

* Note: For gas grills, preheat and then turn off any burners directly below where the food will go. The heat circulates inside the grill, so turning the food is not necessary.


Serving Suggestions Icon

Serving Suggestions

Create a sensation with these ribs. Even have your favorite barbecue sauce on the table. Complete the meal with fresh corn on the cob, coleslaw and fresh baked cornbread with honeyed butter.


Nutrition Icon

Nutrition

Calories: 790 calories
Protein: 51 grams
Fat: 62 grams
Sodium: 490 milligrams
Cholesterol: 245 milligrams
Saturated Fat: 23 grams
Carbohydrates: 6 grams
Fiber: 0 grams

Random Cooking Tip:
When you are in a hurry—turn to cuts that cook up quickly, such as chops, tenderloins and cutlets.

 
 
 
Recipe Details

Ratings

 
 
 
Buying/Handling/Storing Tip:

These curved ribs are the least meaty variety of ribs, but the lean meat is still full of flavor. Spareribs are typically larger and heavier than back ribs.


Other Pork Buying/Handling/Storing Tips
Ask Your Butcher

Ribs are commonly prepared with either “wet” or “dry.” Ribs rubbed with a mixture of herbs and spices are called dry ribs. Such rubs can be applied just before barbecuing. Ribs basted with sauces during the barbecuing process are called wet ribs. For best results, brush ribs generously during the last 30 minutes of cooking.


More Butcher Tips
About the Cut

Spareribs come from the belly of the hog and are known for their delicious, meaty pork flavor.


Learn About the Pork Cuts
Cooking Method: Grilling

There are two ways to grill pork based on the size of the cut:

  • Direct heat, where food is placed directly over the heat source, is ideal for small cuts like kabobs, tenderloin, burgers and chops.
  • Indirect heat, where food is placed on the grill rack away from the coals or gas burners, is good for large cuts like loin roasts, ribs, shoulder and fresh ham.

COOKING BASICS:
Direct Heat

Arrange hot coals evenly on the fire grate of the grill or use all gas burners. Place pork directly above the heat source. Follow suggested cooking times, turning once during cooking.

Indirect Heat

Bank hot coals on both sides of the fire grate, on one side of the grill or in a ring around the perimeter. For gas grills, pre-heat and then turn off any burners directly below where the food will go. Place pork on the grill so it is not directly over any coals or gas burners and close grill hood. Follow suggested cooking times until pork is done. The heat circulates inside the grill, so turning the pork is not necessary.


More about this cooking method
 
Freebies
A variety of materials and brochures are available for free.
I "Heart" Pork
The Latest from Pork, Knife & Spoon
Our Heritage Brand
Discover more about our heritage brand, The Other White Meat®.