Carolina Style Grilled Baby Back Ribs

These tender Carolina Style Grilled Baby Back Ribs literally fall off the bone. Slow cooked with a southern style dry rub. Then coated in a homemade sweet and tangy barbecue sauce that includes mustard, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar and molasses.

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These Carolina Style Grilled Baby Back Ribs may just be the best ribs you’ll ever have. The flavor is rich, smoky, slightly sweet and tangy. And the texture—well they fall off the bone, enough said.

Let’s get something out of the way first. I’ve called them Carolina Style Grilled Baby Back Ribs since they remind me of my exquisite trip to Charleston, South Carolina. And they’re coated with a thick sauce that includes apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, mustard and spices. Purest may have an official recipe or cooking method for Carolina style ribs, but either way you’ll want to try these.

You can cook them completely on a charcoal grill, and I’ve included instructions for this in the recipe below. However, I suggest precooking them for a longer, slow cook that guarantees fall of the bone texture. Once tender and the sauce is ready, preheat the coals. Add ribs to the hot grill, coat with sauce. Rotate and repeat to create a thick, sticky coating, give them a char and add smoky flavor.

I used Smithfield Extra Tender Baby Back Ribs Baby Back Ribs for this recipe, ideal for upcoming Labor Day or any summer barbecue. They’re hand-trimmed, extra-tender and juicy. Plus without artificial ingredients, antibiotics or growth hormones. You’re guaranteed  a quality rack of ribs every time that make this recipe even easier.

For extra flavor, start with a homemade dry rub consisting of salt, brown sugar and spices. Allow to sit at least 30 minutes or overnight to tenderize the meat, infuse flavor and add moisture. Once cooked, coat with the homemade barbecue sauce and grill on high heat to finish of these Carolina Style Grilled Baby Back Ribs. No matter your experience, with these tips and tender Smithfield Fresh Pork, you can grill great ribs.

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Carolina Style Grilled Baby Back Ribs

These tender Carolina Style Grilled Baby Back Ribs literally fall off the bone. Slow cooked with a southern style dry rub. 

Course Grilled

Cuisine American

Keyword baby back ribs, carolina style ribs, easy baby back ribs

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 4 hours hours

Total Time 4 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Calories 400kcal

Servings 6

Author: Matt Ivan

Did you know? Servings and ingredient amounts can be adjusted on all my recipes. Click the green number above to change.

Ingredients

Ribs

• ▢ 3 pounds Smithfield Extra Tender Back Back Ribs
• ▢ 1 ½ tablespoons kosher salt
• ▢ 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
• ▢ 1 tablespoon chili powder
• ▢ 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• ▢ ½ tablespoon garlic powder
• ▢ ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Sauce

• ▢ ½ cup dijon mustard
• ▢ ¼ cup packed brown sugar
• ▢ 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• ▢ 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• ▢ 1 tablespoon dark molasses
• ▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

Ribs

• Cut or pull off thin membrane on back of ribs and discard. Cut rack in half.
• Stir together dry ingredients in a small bowl. Rub over both sides of ribs to coat. You can do this step up to 24 hours before and leave in fridge for more flavor. Let sit at room temperature 30-45 minutes before cooking.
• Pre-cook the ribs. Slow cooker method: Cook on high 3-4 hours. Oven method: Bake at 300° F. for 2 to 2 ½ hours. Remove from heat.

Sauce and grilling

• Stir together all sauce ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a low boil and reduce to low. Simmer 10 minutes, or until thickened. Remove from heat.
• Arrange coals in an even layer in bottom of charcoal grill and light. Once red hot place prepared ribs meat side up on grill and coat with some of sauce. Grill 2-3 minutes, rotate and coat other side. Repeat steps 1-2 times until coating is thick and ribs are slightly charred. Remove from grill and let rest 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Ribs will be tender and should fall apart.

Note:

• You can cook ribs entirely on charcoal grill. Place coals on sides, leaving center open to create indirect heat. Once coals are ready, place a drip pan below grate and ribs on grate. Cook 1 hour without opening lid. Rotate and cook at least 30 minutes more with lid closed. Once cooked, prepare red hot coals in even layer and follow finishing steps above.

Nutrition Facts

Carolina Style Grilled Baby Back Ribs

Amount Per Serving

Calories 400 Calories from Fat 216

% Daily Value*

Fat 24g37%

Saturated Fat 8g50%

Cholesterol 98mg33%

Sodium 2159mg94%

Potassium 531mg15%

Carbohydrates 17g6%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 14g16%

Protein 28g56%

Vitamin A 1015IU20%

Vitamin C 0.7mg1%

Calcium 81mg8%

Iron 2.3mg13%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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