Tender Sous Vide Barbecue Pork Ribs

1. Prepare the Spice Rub

Combine the paprika, dark brown sugar, kosher salt, Prague Powder #1, whole yellow mustard seed, freshly ground black pepper, granulated garlic powder, dried oregano, whole coriander seed, and red pepper flakes in batches, using a spice grinder to create a fine powder.

2. Make the Sauce (Optional)

Combine three tablespoons of the spice rub with the grated onion, ketchup, spicy brown mustard, dark molasses, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and liquid hickory smoke in a medium saucepan. Whisk the mixture together and let it simmer gently for about 20 minutes until it has reduced and thickened into a rich, tangy sauce.

3. Prepare the Ribs

Remove the membrane from the back of each rack. Use a paper towel to grip the membrane and pull it off in one piece. Cut the ribs into sections that will fit into your vacuum bags. Generously rub the spice mixture onto the ribs, making sure to cover all surfaces, then place the ribs into vacuum bags with four drops of liquid smoke per bag. Seal the bags and allow the ribs to rest in the refrigerator for anywhere between 4 to 12 hours.

4. Sous Vide the Ribs

Set your precision cooker to 145°F (63°C) for extra-meaty ribs or 165°F (74°C) for a more traditional texture. Sous vide the ribs for 36 hours at the lower temperature or 12 hours at the higher temperature.

5. Chill the Ribs

After the sous vide process, transfer the ribs to a large bowl of ice water to chill them thoroughly, making them ready for storage or immediate finishing.

6. Dry-Style Finish in the Oven

Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Pat the ribs dry with paper towels and apply another layer of the spice rub. Place the ribs on a wire rack set over a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Cook in the oven for about 40 minutes until a crusty bark forms on the ribs.

7. Dry-Style Finish on the Grill

Pat the ribs dry, rub them again, and grill over medium heat for about 25 minutes, turning occasionally until a crusty bark develops.

8. Sauced Ribs in the Oven

Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Place the ribs on a wire rack over a foil-lined baking sheet, and cook for 40 minutes. Brush the sauce onto the ribs during the last 10 minutes to create a sticky, delicious coating.

9. Sauced Ribs on the Grill

Pat the ribs dry, grill them over medium heat for about 20 minutes, then brush with the sauce and continue grilling for an additional 7 minutes, allowing the sauce to caramelize beautifully.