Spicy BBQ Ribs

If you’re craving melt-in-your-mouth, flavour-packed ribs, look no further than this recipe for Spicy BBQ Ribs. The combination of a zesty dry-rub and a tangy, spicy BBQ sauce creates an irresistible contrast that will have your taste buds dancing. After being tenderised in the oven, these ribs are grilled to perfection, giving them a smoky, charred exterior with a tender, juicy interior. Perfect for a family meal or a weekend BBQ, this recipe is sure to impress.

Table of Contents

• Ingredient Breakdown
• Preparing the Dry-Rub 
• Baking the Ribs for Tenderness
• Grilling for That Smoky, Charred Finish
• Tabasco Sauce: The Secret Ingredient
• Serving Your Spicy BBQ Ribs
• More Rib-tastic Recipes

Ingredient Breakdown

• Light brown sugar: Adds a rich sweetness that balances the heat of the cayenne and other spices.
• Cayenne pepper: Gives the ribs a spicy kick that intensifies as the ribs cook.
• Fine sea salt: Enhances the flavour of all the ingredients while helping the dry rub adhere.
• Mustard powder: Adds a slight tang and depth to the flavour profile.
• Smoked paprika: Infuses the ribs with a smoky, earthy flavour that complements the barbecue sauce.
• Garlic granules: Provide a savoury base note that enhances the other spices.
• Freshly-ground black pepper: Adds warmth and a touch of spice.
• Pork loin ribs (baby back ribs): The star of the dish, these tender ribs absorb the dry rub and barbecue sauce perfectly.
• Barbecue sauce: A sweet and tangy base with a bit of Tabasco sauce for a spicy kick.
• Tabasco sauce: The vinegar-based hot sauce that adds heat and balances the sweetness of the barbecue sauce.

Preparing the Dry-Rub

The first step in making Spicy BBQ Ribs is to prepare the dry rub. This dry rub is key to building a complex, flavourful crust on the ribs that enhances the smoky char during grilling. The light brown sugar is a crucial ingredient, providing a natural sweetness that contrasts with the heat of the cayenne pepper. The combination of garlic granules, mustard powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper creates a savoury, spicy, and smoky flavour that permeates every bite of the ribs. 

Simply mix these ingredients in a bowl, and generously coat the ribs on both sides. Then press the rub into the meat to ensure it sticks, as this will form the delicious crust as the ribs cook. Once coated, wrap the ribs tightly in foil and bake them until they are fall-off-the-bone tender.

Baking the Ribs for Tenderness

Baking the ribs is an essential step in making Spicy BBQ Ribs. It ensures the meat becomes tender and juicy before hitting the grill. After you apply the dry rub, then wrap the ribs tightly in greaseproof paper and foil. This creates a sealed environment that locks in moisture, allowing the ribs to cook slowly and evenly. 

The oven is set at a low temperature (150℃ / fan 130℃) to gently tenderise the meat over a couple of hours. As the ribs bake, the sugar in the dry rub caramelises. Meanwhile the spices infuse the meat, making it incredibly flavourful. It’s important not to skip this step. The ribs need to be tender before grilling to achieve that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture. After about 2 ½ hours, remove the ribs from the oven and prepare them for the next stage: grilling.

Grilling for That Smoky, Charred Finish

The grilling stage is what takes these Spicy BBQ Ribs from delicious to extraordinary. After the ribs are tender, unwrap them and transfer to a foil-lined baking sheet. The grill function in your oven is set to high, providing a direct heat source that allows the ribs to crisp up and caramelise. 

Basting the ribs with a spicy barbecue sauce at this stage is key. The sauce not only adds a deep, tangy flavour but also helps create a beautifully lacquered finish on the ribs. The process involves three rounds of basting and grilling. For each round, you generously apply the sauce and then grill for about five minutes, turning the ribs halfway through. By the end of the process, the ribs should have a slightly charred, sticky coating that’s both sweet and spicy, with crispy edges. The result is a visually stunning and incredibly flavourful dish that’s ready to be served.

Tabasco Sauce: The Secret Ingredient

One of the standout ingredients in these Spicy BBQ Ribs is the Tabasco sauce. While many barbecue sauces rely on sugar or molasses for their depth of flavour, the addition of Tabasco introduces a welcome vinegar-based heat. The sharp tang from the Tabasco cuts through the sweetness of the sauce. This creates a harmonious balance that doesn’t overwhelm the palate. It also enhances the complexity of the dry rub, which has its own mix of smoky and spicy elements. 

The Tabasco sauce doesn’t just add heat; it adds a layer of boldness that elevates the overall flavour profile. If you enjoy extra spice, adjust the heat level by adding more Tabasco. Just remember, a little goes a long way in this recipe. The combination of sweet, smoky, and spicy makes for a truly irresistible rib dish.

Serving Your Spicy BBQ Ribs

Once your Spicy BBQ Ribs are perfectly grilled, it’s time to serve them up. These ribs are versatile and you can pair them with a variety of sides, such as roasted vegetables, potato wedges, or a simple green salad. Their bold flavour pairs beautifully with creamy coleslaw or cornbread, making them a great choice for a summer barbecue or casual family dinner. 

You can also serve these ribs as a finger food for parties or gatherings, where guests can enjoy the tender meat with their hands, tearing off pieces of the juicy ribs and dipping them in extra barbecue sauce. The sticky, spicy glaze makes them a real crowd-pleaser. For added freshness, consider garnishing with some fresh herbs or a squeeze of lime to brighten the rich, smoky flavours.

More Rib-tastic Recipes

If you’ve got a craving for more ribs after making these Spicy BBQ Ribs, here are some more flavour-packed recipes for you to try:

• Teriyaki Ribs: Sweet, sticky and delicious! These melt-in-your mouth baby back ribs are incredibly easy to make. They’re slow-cooked until super tender then coated in a tasty homemade teriyaki sauce. 
• Chimichurri Ribs: Super tender baby back ribs slathered with a delicious, zingy chimichurri, packed with parsley, oregano, mint, chilli, garlic and lots more. An absolute flavour bomb!
• Coca-Cola BBQ Ribs: There’s nothing quite like the delicious combination of tender ribs and a mouthwatering, sticky sauce. These ribs are cooked slowly to achieve the perfect tenderness, then coated in a tangy, sweet sauce that will have you licking your fingers with every bite. 

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