Introduction
Kansas City Sweet-and-Smoky Ribs offer a heartwarming experience for BBQ enthusiasts. This recipe combines the smokiness of hickory wood chips with a tangy apple cider glaze and zesty lemon juice to create an unforgettable flavor that’ll leave you coming back for more.
Tips for this recipe
To achieve the best results, ensure your charcoal grill is properly prepared and reach a consistent temperature before adding the ribs. Regularly spray apple cider over the ribs to prevent them from sticking and maintain moisture.
Why you will love this recipe
The balance of sweet, smoky, and citrus notes makes Kansas City Sweet-and-Smoky Ribs a standout dish. Whether grilling or smoking, these ribs offer an explosion of flavors that are sure to please even the most discerning palate.
Ingredients
- 4 racks of spareribs (4 to 6 pounds total)
- 6 cups apple cider, plus additional for spraying the ribs
- 2 whole lemons (optional), halved
- 2/3 cup Basic Barbecue Rub or your favorite commercial brand
- 3 cups of your favorite homemade barbecue sauce or your favorite commercial brand
- 3 cups wood chips (preferably hickory), soaked for 1 hour in apple cider to cover, then drained
Adviced equipment
– Charcoal Grill by Weber: A large, versatile charcoal grill perfect for outdoor cooking and BBQ events with multiple heat zones for smoking or direct cooking.
– SmokeStack Accessory Pack Set (32-Hour) by Weber: Includes three 10″ stainless steel stacks to create a large smoke box, enhancing the flavor of BBQ ribs with smoking.
– Digital Thermometer Probe Set (2-Piece) by Lodge Logic: Offers accurate temperature readings for food safety and optimal cooking temperatures.
– Spice Rub Bottle Set: A container to store spice rub recipes, essential for flavoring Kansas City-style barbecue ribs.
– Rib Lifter Tool by BBQ Perfection: An easy-to-use tool designed to lift and turn racks of ribs without them falling off the grill or smoker.
– Grill Cleaning Brush Set (2 Pieces): A durable set with bristles for cleaning a charcoal grill after cooking, ready for next use.
– Meat Probe Thermometer by Big Buddy BBQ: Provides accurate temperature readings up to 130°F and ensures meat is cooked safely and evenly.
– Smoker Box Set (4 Pcs) – Original Wood Chunks & Charcoal Briquettes Combo by Weber: Allows adding a smoky flavor to ribs, with choices for BBQ flavors using wood chunks and briquettes.
– Rib Sauce Mix Set – Kansas City Style BBQ Sauces: A set of pre-made sauces enhancing the flavor profile of ribs for grilling and smoking.
– Thermapen Digital Hydrometer by Thermapen Mk4: Provides rapid, accurate temperature readings in BBQ cooking applications to master smoking and grilling.
History of the recipe
The roots of this Kansas City Sweet-and-Smoky Ribs recipe lie deep in the traditions of American BBQ culture. The use of hickory wood chips for smoking and the blend of apple cider, lemon juice, and barbecue sauces pay homage to the rich history of flavors that have shaped the modern BBQ landscape.
Fun facts about this recipe
Did you know? Hickory wood chips are a staple in barbecue cooking due to their high heat output and ability to impart a strong smoky flavor. The combination of apple cider not only provides moisture but also adds an additional layer of sweetness, complementing the tanginess from the lemons.