Cherry-chipotle Glazed Back Ribs

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• dry rub:
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 racks smithfield® extra tender lamb back ribs, membrane removed
• handful hickory or apple wood chips for smoking, soaked in water and drained (optional)
• 3/4 cup apple juice, in a spray bottle
• glaze:
• 1 1/2 cups ketchup
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup distilled vinegar, plus
• 1 tablespoon distilled vinegar
• 1/3 cup water, plus
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/3 cup cherry preserves

Recipe

Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 3 hrs 30 mins

Ready Time: 4 hrs 40 mins


• about one hour before smoking, make the dry rub. combine all ingredients in small bowl; mix well. pat ribs dry with paper towels; generously coat both sides of ribs with rub. set aside at room temperature for 1 hour.
• meanwhile, make the glaze. combine all ingredients except cherry preserves in medium saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes until slightly thickened, stirring frequently. remove from heat; stir in preserves. set aside to cool.
• heat charcoal or gas grill for indirect cooking at 250 to 300 degrees f. add drained wood chips, if using.
• place the ribs, meaty side down, over a drip pan and cook for 2 hours spraying both sides of ribs with apple juice every 20 to 30 minutes. add about 12 coals to a charcoal grill every 45 minutes or so to maintain the heat.
• remove ribs from grill. double-wrap each rack in heavy-duty aluminum foil. return wrapped ribs to the grill and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours more over indirect heat, until very tender. add more coals as needed to maintain temperature for a charcoal grill.
• remove ribs from grill and unwrap. place ribs over direct heat on grill and brush with glaze. cook for about 5 minutes until the glaze is set. turn ribs and repeat with more glaze.
• serve ribs with remaining glaze.