Spicy Smoked Back Ribs with Maple Glaze

Tender pork back ribs are slowly grilled with a spicy rub and maple syrup, then brushed with a sweet and spicy glaze.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 4 hr
• Total Time: 4 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 3411 Calories

Ingredients

• ¼ cup water
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• ¼ cup light brown sugar
• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• ¾ cup distilled white vinegar
• ½ cup maple syrup
• ½ teaspoon ground coriander
• 3 cups ketchup
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
• ⅓ cup kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 2 racks Smithfield® Extra Tender Pork Back Ribs, membrane removed
• 1 cup apple juice, in a spray bottle

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Heat charcoal or gas grill for indirect cooking at 275 degrees F. Add drained wood chips, if using.

Step 2

Serve ribs with remaining barbecue sauce.

Step 3

About 30 minutes before smoking, make the dry rub. Combine all rub ingredients in small bowl; mix well. Generously coat both sides of ribs with rub. Set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Step 4

Meanwhile, make the sauce. Whisk together all ingredients in large saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally.

Step 5

Place the ribs, meaty side up, over a drip pan and cook for 2 hours, spraying with apple juice every 30 minutes. Add about 12 coals to a charcoal grill every 45 minutes or so to maintain the heat.

Step 6

Remove ribs from grill. Place each rack on double stack of large aluminum foil. Drizzle maple syrup and butter on each rack; sprinkle with brown sugar and spray with apple juice; wrap each rack tightly with foil.

Step 7

Return wrapped ribs to the grill and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours more over indirect heat, until very tender. Add more coals as needed to maintain temperature for a charcoal grill.

Step 8

Remove ribs from grill and unwrap. Place ribs over direct heat on grill and brush with barbecue sauce. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the sauce is set. Turn ribs and repeat with more sauce.