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Nothing screams BBQ more than racks of tender and flavorful bbq ribs. From sweet and spicy sauces to dry rub, the flavors and techniques are endless. The best way to master the art of smoking ribs is to keep it simple. A traditional sweet bbq rub and a fruity BBQ sauce is all you need to win the rib game. Smoked to perfection, these ribs with huckleberry BBQ sauce are hard to beat.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Prep the ribs.
Starting off with prep, I like to stick to the basics. Pat the ribs dry and trim any loose fatty ends. I decided to use baby back ribs because they are less fattier than my favorite spare ribs but they still deliver on flavor. Next, season both sides with your Dad’s Sweet BBQ rub. Let the seasoning sweat allowing it to be absorbed into the meet for extra flavor. This will also help the seasoning adhere to the ribs.
Recipe Tip
A binder is always a great option to make sure most of the seasoning stays on the meat. I suggest yellow mustard, olive oil or hot sauce and coat the ribs. These are flavors you will not taste once the ribs are cooked.
Dad’s Seasonings
Must have grillin seasonings!
Step 2: How to grill the perfect ribs.
Preheat the grill to 250 degrees and set for indirect heat. First, set the seasoned ribs directly on the grates and let them smoke for 3 hours.
After 3 hours, it’s time for the wrap. On a long sheet of foil, add a little bit of butter, brown sugar and more of Dad’s Sweet BBQ rub along the length of the slab. Next, place the ribs meat side down and repeat the application on the top. Wrap up the ribs.
Place the wrapped ribs back on the grill until they are nice and tender. Target internal temperature should be 200 degrees. While these bad boys are cooking, let’s prep your sauce.
Step 3: Make homemade huckleberry BBQ sauce
For this recipe, I used a store bought huckleberry BBQ sauce that I purchased on a family trip to Montana. However, if you can get your hands on some fresh huckleberries, I highly recommend making your own huckleberry BBQ sauce.
Another option is to substitute huckleberries with blueberries. Might not be exact, but close in flavor.
Once you make your own BBQ sauce, you will almost never use a pre-packed sauce again. It’s simple to make, only requires a few ingredients that you can keep in your pantry for future uses and best part is you can adjust the sweet, savory or spicy levels to your liking.
In a sauce pan, add ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, Dad’s All Purpose rub, fresh huckleberries or blueberries, huckleberry jam or preserve, Worcestershire sauce and apple cider vinegar. Adjust sweetness levels to your liking. Simmer over low heat until the sauce starts to thicken.
Step 4: Sauce up the ribs in huckleberry BBQ sauce
For the final step, sauce up the bbq ribs at the very end and put them back on the grill for the final 10 minutes or until the sauce is nice and tacky. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions:
The short answer is no. But it’s really a personal preference. I never remove the membrane off ribs and I’ve never had issues with the texture of my ribs. Score them before seasoning and let them smoke.
All my recipes can be replicated in the oven, stove top or gas grill. You do not need a big green egg or weber grill to replicate any of my recipes.
Similar Recipe Ideas:
Ribs with Huckleberry Sauce
Ingredients
Rib Ingredients
- 2 slabs Baby Back Ribs
- 1/4 cup Dad's Sweet BBQ Rub
- 1 stick Unsalted Butter
- 4 tbsp Brown Sugar
Huckleberry Sauce Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Ketchup
- 1/4 cup Molasses
- 2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1/2 tbsp Dad's All Purpose Rub
- 1/2 cup Huckleberry jam or preserve
- 1/4 cup Fresh Huckleberries or Blueberries (optional)
Instructions
- Pat the ribs dry and trim any loose fatty ends. Season all sides of the ribs with Dad's Sweet BBQ Rub.
- Preheat the grill to 250 degrees and set for indirect heat. First, set the seasoned ribs directly on the grates and let them smoke for smoke for 3 hours.
- On a long sheet of foil, add 3 tbsp of butter, brown sugar and 1 tbsp of Dad's Sweet BBQ Rub along the length of the slab. Next, place the ribs meat side down and repeat the application on the top.
- Place the wrapped ribs back on the grill until they are nice and tender. Target internal temperature should be 200 degrees.
- For the BBQ sauce: in a sauce pan, add ketchup, molasses, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, huckleberry preserve or jam, fresh huckleberries (optional), Worcestershire sauce and Dad's All Purpose Rub. Mix it all together simmering over low heat until the sauce thickens.
- Sauce up the ribs at the very end and put them back on the grill for the final 10 minutes or until the sauce is nice and tacky.