Nimrod's Baby Back Ribs

~Nimz~'s Note:

These are the best ribs I think I have ever made. They are fall off the bone tender and juicy with a tangy/spicy sauce that we loved. I started with a recipe from my Weber's Big Book of Grilling, tweaked it to our liking and experimented on the grill and finally, after 4-5 tries, came up with the perfect Baby Back Rib recipe, IMHO. Thus the name, Nimrod's Baby Back Ribs. For a hickory flavor, soak 2 handfulls of Hickory Chips in water for at least 30 minutes and add to the hot coals the last 30 minutes of grilling. I was hoping to get the cooking time exact, but it varied each time I made these. Hope you enjoy. Be sure to have lots of napkins on hand cause you will need them. You also will need a grill that you can cook using indirect heat.

• Total Time: 2 hrs 30 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 2 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 cup finely chopped yellow onion
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic (by all means use more if you like)
• 3/4 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup rice vinegar (please use rice vinegar with no substitutions because it makes a difference IMO)
• 1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 tablespoons yellow mustard
• 3 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• Tabasco sauce
• 4 lbs pork baby back ribs (2-3 racks)
• kosher salt
• fresh ground black pepper

Directions:

1. To make the Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium-high, warm the vegetable oil. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, 4-5 minutes.
2. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
3. Add the remaining sauce ingredients, including Tabasco sauce to taste, and bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes. (It might taste a little vinegarie at first but it won't by the time you use it).
5. Set aside.
6. Pour some of the sauce in a small bowl to use for basting the ribs.
7. Allow the ribs to stand at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before grilling.
8. Season with salt and pepper.
9. Grill the ribs, rib side down, over Indirect Medium Heat (keep grill at about 325-350 degrees) until the meat is very tender and has pulled back from the ends of the bones, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
10. Turn after the first 30 minutes and again in 30 minutes, then do not turn again.
11. During the last 30 minutes of grilling add the soaked hickory chips to the hot coals (if using).
12. During the last 30 minutes of grilling time, baste generously with the small bowl of sauce every 5-10 minutes, depending on how much sauce you want on the ribs.
13. Serve warm with the remaining sauce on the side.

Reviews

[CoffeeB]

I did these two ways. Some on the grill as you directed and some I did in the oven. The oven ones actually turned out better for me. And, the smell in the house is oh-so-yummy. The sauce has quite a kick which leads me to believe I might have went a little heavy-handed on the Tabasco. I didn't get any complaints from either DS's. or DH in this regards though and so I will definitely be keeping this BBQ sauce recipe handy for future recipes such as pork and/or beef. Thanks for sharing your family recipe. Oh and I agree with your statement about keeping lots of napkins on hand. Lots of messy faces all around! Made for MarketTag 08'

[Sue Lau]

These were excellent! I definitely will be using the sauce on other things as well as ribs. very nice! Thanks for posting. ~Lorie

[Marsha Mazz]

This was very good! I added some fresh hot peppers and did not decrease the chili powder - I like it hot. After 3 hours at 300 degrees, all I had to do was plop them on the grill and add a little sauce. The meat fell off the bones and was still very moist.