Sticky Blackberry BBQ Pork Ribs

By ctaubenheim

Ingredients

• 2 racks baby back pork ribs (about 2 - 2 1/2 lbs each)
• 2 Tbsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
• 2 Tbsp black pepper
• 1 Tbsp hot smoked paprika
• 1 1/4 cups honey
• 3/4 lb (about 2 1/2 cups) blackberries
• 1/2 cup blackberry preserves
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 3 Tbsp bourbon (or whiskey)
• 3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 Tbsp plus 2 tsp red pepper flakes

Details

Preparation time 75mins
Cooking time 210mins

Preparation

Step 1

Flip one rib rack over and insert the tip of a butter knife under tough membrane that covers back of rack. Wiggle knife to loosen membrane. Grab membrane with a paper towel and pull it off. Repeat with remaining rack. At least 1 hour before cooking, mix 1 Tbsp salt, 1 Tbsp pepper and smoked paprika in a small bowl. Season ribs very generously on all sides with spice mixture. Let ribs come to room temperature, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, set up a grill to cook with indirect heat. For a charcoal grill, light charcoal using a chimney starter. When coals have started to ask over on top, pour them all onto one side of lower grate. This creates a hot zone and a cooler zone. If using a gas grill, light burners on one side of grill, leaving others off to create a hot zone and a cooler zone. Or preheat an oven to 350 degrees to cook ribs indoors. Place ribs meaty side up on cooler side of the grill and close lid (make sure vents are partly open). Or put ribs in a roasting pan and place in oven. Cook ribs 1 hour. If using a charcoal grill, light more charcoal briquettes in chimney started and pour on top of coals to replenish the fire. Flip ribs meaty side down. Cook until tender, 40 minutes. Meanwhile, make blackberry glaze. In a blender, puree honey, blackberries, preserves maple syrup, bourbon, vinegar, red pepper flakes and remaining salt and pepper. Scrap into a saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium high heat. Reduce heat to medium low and cook about 15 minutes, stirring frequently, until reduced and syrupy. Flip ribs meaty side up, brush generously with glaze and close the lid. Cook 1 minute. Brush meaty side with glaze again. Move ribs to hot side of grill and flip over. Brush underside of racks with glaze. Close lid. Cook 1 minute or until glazed and caramelized on both sides. If cooking inside, brush ribs with glaze and place under broiler until glazed and caramelized, 1-2 minutes. Season generously with salt and let rest 10 minutes before serving.