Babel's Smoked Baby Back Pork Ribs

Slow-smoked, mopped, and then finished with an amazing glaze. These really will be the best baby back pork ribs you ever have!

• Preparation Time: 45 mins
• Cooking Time: 3 hr
• Total Time: 3 hr 45 mins
• Calories: 838 Calories

Ingredients

• ¾ cup apple juice
• 1 ½ tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 5 tablespoons ketchup
• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons whole fennel seeds
• 1 rack baby back pork ribs, fat trimmed and membrane removed
• ¼ cup pork rub
• 1 ½ tablespoons cracked black peppercorns
• 1 ½ tablespoons dried minced garlic
• 2 dashes hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco®), or more to taste
• 3 (1.5 fluid ounce) jiggers Tennessee whiskey, or as needed (Optional)
• apple wood chips, soaked

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil the grate.

Step 2

Let the ribs come to room temperature. Work in the rub and let stand 30 minutes more.

Step 3

Mix apple juice and oil together in a bowl to make the mop, or basting liquid.

Step 4

Mix ketchup, oil, vinegar, soy sauce, honey, peppercorns, dried garlic, fennel seeds, and hot sauce together in a bowl to make the sauce.

Step 5

Place ribs directly on the grill and cook over high heat until browned, 5 to 10 minutes per side; be careful not to let the meat burn.

Step 6

Place ribs onto wire racks. Place the racks into the smoker. Add wood chips according to manufacturer's directions. Smoke the ribs low and slow. Baste every 15 to 30 minutes with the mop mixture, until meat begins pulling from the bone, 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

Step 7

Baste liberally with the sauce mixture. Offer all the cooks a shot of whiskey. Wrap the sauce-covered ribs in a double layer of aluminum foil and return them to the smoker over low to medium heat. Cook 45 minutes more. Remove foil, cut ribs into portions, and serve.