Apple Bacon Barbecued Ribs Recipe

Ingredients for Apple Bacon Barbecued Ribs

• Spareribs
• Kosher Salt
• Dried Ancho Chile Powder
• Sweet Paprika
• Ground Cumin
• 1/4 tsp celery seed
• Fresh Ground Black Pepper
• 6 slices bacon
• 3/4 cup apple juice
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

How to Make Apple Bacon Barbecued Ribs

1. **Prepare the Bacon and Sauce:** Cook bacon in a medium skillet over medium-low heat until browned and crisp (10-15 minutes), turning occasionally. Drain on paper towels and set aside.
2. **Make the Barbecue Sauce:** Pour half of the bacon fat into a small saucepan. Add 1/2 cup apple juice and 2 tbsp cider vinegar. Simmer over medium heat until slightly reduced, then remove from heat.
3. **Combine Sauce Ingredients:** In the skillet with remaining bacon fat, whisk together remaining 1/4 cup apple juice, 3 tbsp cider vinegar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, paprika, cumin, celery seed, and pepper. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking until smooth. Remove from heat once simmering.
4. **Prepare the Ribs:** Soak wood chips in water for 1 hour. Remove the membrane from the bone side of each rack of ribs.
5. **Season the Ribs:** Apply your preferred spice rub generously to both sides of the ribs.
6. **Prepare the Grill:** Drain the wood chips. If using a smoker box, follow manufacturer's instructions. If not, place chips in a foil-lined aluminum pan, poking holes in the foil. Preheat your grill to high heat for 10-15 minutes with the lid closed.
7. **Add Wood Chips:** Place the chip pan on one side of the grill over a lit burner. Replace the cooking grate, close the lid, and wait for smoke (20-30 minutes). Turn off all burners except the one below the chips.
8. **Smoke the Ribs:** Place the rib rack on the opposite side of the grill, bone-side facing the heat. Maintain grill temperature around 300°F (adjust burner as needed). Smoke for 1 hour for baby backs, 2 hours for spareribs.
9. **Mop and Sauce:** During smoking, prepare your mop. Baste the ribs halfway through cooking and again before the final step.
10. **Finishing Touch:** Remove ribs from grill, lightly brush with half the mop, and place back on rack, upside down. Return to the cool side of the grill, bone-side toward the heat.
11. **Final Baste & Serve:** Continue cooking until ribs are tender and desired level of smokiness is achieved. Brush with remaining mop and remaining BBQ sauce in last 15 mins. Remove and serve! Enjoy your amazing Apple Bacon Barbecued Ribs!