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Smokey Memphis-Style Spareribs

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Pixicook editorial team

A classic Memphis-style spareribs recipe, featuring a flavorful dry rub and a smoky finish.

Ingredients for Smokey Memphis-Style Spareribs

units in
USchevron
serves
5 peoplechevron

St. Louis–style Spareribs, trimmed

0 lb

Paprika

tablespoons

Light brown sugar, packed

tablespoons

Salt

tablespoons

Chili Powder

teaspoons

Pepper

teaspoons

Garlic Powder

teaspoons

Onion Powder

teaspoons

Cayenne Pepper

teaspoons

Dried Thyme

teaspoons

Cider Vinegar

tablespoons

Wood Chips, soaked in water for 15 minutes and drained

cups

How to Make Smokey Memphis-Style Spareribs

1. Make the dry rub

In a bowl, combine the paprika, light brown sugar, salt, chili powder, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and dried thyme. Mix these ingredients thoroughly until they are well blended.

2. Apply the dry rub

Apply the dry rub evenly over both sides of the racks of spareribs. Be generous and make sure the rub covers every part of the meat.

3. Prepare the grill for indirect heat

Prepare your grill for indirect heat. If you're using a charcoal grill, empty the lit coals onto a bed of unlit coals. For a gas grill, turn on one side and leave the other side off. Aim for a grill temperature of 250-275°F.

4. Add the wood chips

Add the soaked wood chips to your grill. On a gas grill, place the chips in a smoker box. For a charcoal grill, scatter them directly on the coals.

5. Cook the ribs

Place the ribs on the grill, away from the direct heat, and cover the grill. Maintain this setup and occasionally mop the ribs with a mixture of apple juice and cider vinegar.

6. Transfer to oven

After about 1.5 hours, transfer the ribs to a preheated oven to continue cooking. Cook the ribs until they are tender, which should take a few more hours in the oven.

7. Rest and serve

Once the ribs are done, let them rest for a few minutes before cutting. Serve your Smokey Memphis-Style Spareribs with your favorite sides.

Variations

Kansas City-Style Ribs

Use a similar rub but add more brown sugar for sweetness. Finish the ribs with a thicker, sweeter, and more ketchup-based barbecue sauce.

Asian-Style Ribs

Marinate the ribs in a mixture of soy sauce, hoisin, garlic, ginger, and five-spice powder before slow-cooking. Finish with a glaze made from hoisin sauce and honey.

Carolina-Style Ribs

Focus on a vinegar-based mop sauce or finishing glaze, which is tangier and spicier, and forego the tomato-based sauce entirely.

Coffee-Infused Rub

Add finely ground coffee to your dry rub mixture. The coffee will give the ribs a rich, earthy flavor that complements the smokiness of the meat.

Spicy Chipotle

Add in chipotle peppers in adobo sauce to your barbecue sauce for a smoky and spicy kick.

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