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Savory Smoked Baby Back Ribs Recipe with Easy Cherry BBQ Sauce

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Tender baby back ribs smoked low and slow, glazed with a unique sweet and tangy cherry BBQ sauce that balances smoky and fruity flavors perfectly.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 racks baby back ribs (about 3–4 pounds)
  • Dry Rub:
  • 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • Cherry BBQ Sauce:
  • ¾ cup cherry preserves (about 8 fl oz)
  • ½ cup ketchup (4 fl oz)
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • Squeeze of fresh lemon juice
  • Wood chips (hickory or applewood) for smoking

Instructions

  1. Remove the silver skin membrane from the back of the baby back ribs using a butter knife and paper towel.
  2. Combine smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper to make the dry rub.
  3. Rub the spice mixture evenly on both sides of the ribs and let rest at room temperature.
  4. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine cherry preserves, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, chili flakes, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Simmer for 8-10 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and set aside.
  5. Preheat smoker or grill to 225°F (107°C) and add wood chips for smoke flavor.
  6. Place ribs bone-side down on the smoker grate and smoke uncovered for 1.5 hours, maintaining temperature and adding wood chips as needed.
  7. Wrap ribs tightly in aluminum foil with a few spoonfuls of cherry BBQ sauce inside and return to smoker for 1 hour.
  8. Unwrap ribs and brush generously with remaining cherry BBQ sauce. Place back on smoker or grill over direct heat for 10-15 minutes, turning once, to caramelize the sauce and add slight char.
  9. Let ribs rest for 10 minutes before slicing between the bones and serving.

Notes

Keep a spray bottle of apple juice or water nearby to spritz ribs during smoking to keep moist. Remove membrane for tender ribs. Maintain steady smoker temperature at 225°F. Apply sauce only at the end to prevent burning. For oven alternative, bake ribs at 275°F wrapped in foil for 2.5 hours then broil with sauce to finish.

Nutrition

Keywords: baby back ribs, smoked ribs, cherry BBQ sauce, barbecue, smoked paprika, cherry preserves, easy ribs recipe, backyard barbecue

Find it online: https://elvafood.com/savory-smoked-baby-back-ribs-recipe-with-easy-cherry-bbq-sauce/