Best Memphis Style Ribs Recipes

AIR FRYER MEMPHIS-STYLE BBQ PORK RIBS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the salt, brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, poultry seasoning, mustard powder, and pepper. Add the ribs and toss and rub the seasonings into them with your hands until they're fully coated.
• Arrange the ribs in the air fryer basket standing up on their ends and leaned up against the wall of the basket and each other. Cook at 350°F until the ribs are tender inside and golden brown and crisp on the outside, about 35 minutes. Transfer the ribs to plates and serve hot.

MEMPHIS-STYLE RIBS

Steps:

• 1. Prepare the ribs and rub: Remove the thin, papery skin from the back of each rack of ribs by pulling it off in a sheet with your fingers, using the corner of a kitchen towel to gain a secure grip, or with pliers.
• 2. Combine the paprika, black pepper, brown sugar, salt, celery salt, cayenne, garlic powder, dry mustard, and cumin in a small bowl and whisk to mix. Rub two thirds of this mixture over the ribs on both sides, then transfer the ribs to a roasting pan. Cover and let cure, in the refrigerator, for 4 to 8 hours.
• 3. Prepare the mop sauce (if using): Mix together the cider vinegar, mustard, and salt in a bowl and set aside.
• 4. Set up the grill for indirect grilling and place a large drip pan in the center.
• If using a gas grill, place all of the wood chips in the smoker box and preheat the grill to high; when smoke appears, reduce the heat to medium.
• If using a charcoal grill, preheat it to medium.
• 5. When ready to cook, if using a charcoal grill, toss the wood chips on the coals. Brush and oil the grill grate. Arrange the ribs on the hot grate over the drip pan. Cover the grill and smoke cook the ribs for 1 hour.
• 6. When the ribs have cooked for an hour, uncover the grill and brush the ribs with the mop sauce (if using). Re-cover the grill and continue cooking the ribs until tender and almost done, 1/4 to 1/2 hour longer for baby back ribs, 1/2 to 1 hour longer for spareribs. The ribs are done when the meat is very tender and has shrunk back from the ends of the bones. If using a charcoal grill, you'll need to add 10 to 12 fresh coals to each side after 1 hour. Fifteen minutes before the ribs are done, season them with the remaining rub, sprinkling it on.
• 7. To serve, cut the racks in half or, for a plate-burying effect, just leave them whole.

MEMPHIS-STYLE RIBS

Steps:

• Your ribs may already be trimmed, or you can ask the butcher to trim them. To do it yourself, place the ribs meat-side up on a cutting board. There is a line of fat at the base of the ribs; cut along it to remove the cartilaginous rib tips. Turn the meat over, rib-side up. Cut off the flap of meat on the inside of the ribs. (The reason to remove these pieces is that they will burn, well before the ribs are done. You can season them and grill them over direct heat for about 15 minutes, turning once. They are delicious.) With the rib-side up, finesse a sharp knife under the tough membrane that covers the bones. Working from one rib to the next, pull the membrane off the rib. (For a better grip, grab the membrane with a paper towel.) The membrane may tear and you may have to start over, but be patient - removing the membrane allows the spices and smoke to penetrate the ribs, and makes the ribs much more attractive and easy to eat.
• In a shallow, non-reactive pan large enough to hold the ribs, mix together 1 cup cider vinegar, 1 cup cider, garlic, bay leaves, 2 tablespoons hot sauce and the salt. Put the ribs in this marinade, turn to coat, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours and up to 16 hours, turning once during this time.
• Remove the ribs from the pan 2 hours before you are going to grill and pat dry. Discard the marinade. Sprinkle the ribs all over with 1/2 cup of the rub, patting it on with your fingers. Cover and refrigerate for about 1 1/2 hours. Remove the ribs from the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 1/2 hour before grilling.
• Mix the remaining 3/4 cup cider vinegar, 3/4 cup cider, and 1 tablespoon hot sauce. You will apply this mixture to the ribs once every hour or so with a spray bottle, a barbecue mop, a pastry brush or a long-handled spoon.
• Soak about 3 cups of wood chips (hickory, oak or apple) for at least 1/2 hour in cold water.
• Prepare a charcoal fire or preheat a gas grill for indirect grilling over low heat. Drain and add 1 cup of the wood chips.
• Grill the ribs, covered, until they are crispy, and the meat has pulled back from the bone, 3 to 4 hours, depending on the heat of your grill. Spray or baste the ribs with the vinegar-cider mixture every hour, and turn them once during grilling. Don't forget to add more wood chips--and, if using charcoal, more coals--as needed (check every hour or so). You should have enough soaked wood chips for about 3 hours of cooking time; if your ribs take longer, you will need to soak more chips.
• If the ribs are done before you are ready to eat, wrap them in heavy-duty aluminum foil and leave them over very low, indirect heat for up to 1 hour.
• Remove the ribs from the grill, spray or baste with any remaining basting liquid, and sprinkle with the remaining the 1/4 cup of rub. Serve as is, or with Vinegar Sauce.
• Mix together all of the ingredients in an airtight container and store at room temperature. The rub will keep for several months.
• Yield: about 1 cup, enough for 8 pounds of Memphis-Style Ribs.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients. Use immediately, or cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
• Yield: about 2 1/2 cups

MEMPHIS-STYLE HICKORY-SMOKED BEEF AND PORK RIBS

Steps:

• For the rub:
• Add all ingredients to a bowl and stir until combined. Keep in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
• For the ribs:
• Rinse and dry ribs. Place on a clean cutting board and pull off the membrane, the thin fatty skin that lines the underside of the ribs. Trim the ribs of excess fat and meat. Liberally season both sides of the ribs with 1/4 to 1/2 cup Neely's BBQ Rub. Wrap ribs and refrigerate for at least 8 hours so flavors can permeate.
• Preheat grill to 250 degrees F using hickory and charcoal.
• Use indirect heat and cook with the cover down.
• Place ribs, meatier side down, on the grill away from the coals. Cook beef 2 hours, adding more coals as needed. Turn and cook for 45 minutes more, or until the ribs "bend" and the meat easily separates from the bone using a fork. Cook the pork ribs 3 hours. Turn and cook another hour, or until ribs bend. Remove from grill.
• For dry ribs: Sprinkle extra Neely's BBQ seasoning over ribs, cut bones and serve.
• For wet ribs: Coat ribs with Neely's BBQ Sauce, cut and serve.
• In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to simmer. Cooked uncovered, stirring frequently, for 1 hour 15 minutes.

QUICK & EASY MEMPHIS-STYLE BBQ RIBS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, mix the first 6 ingredients; rub 3/4 cup over ribs. Wrap rib racks in large pieces of heavy-duty foil; seal tightly. Place in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake 1-1/2 hours. Reduce oven setting to 250°. Bake until tender, 1-1/2 hours longer., Carefully remove ribs from foil; return to baking pan. Sprinkle ribs with remaining spice mixture. Bake 30 minutes longer or until lightly browned, brushing with barbecue sauce, if desired.

MEMPHIS STYLE BABY BACK RIBS

Steps:

• Wash the ribs and pat dry with paper towels.
• Place each slab of ribs on a sheet of heavy duty aluminum foil and rub well with rib rub.
• Seal the foil and place in refrigerator for 4 to 6 hours.
• Remove from refrigerator and place sealed packed in a 275 degree preheated oven.
• Cook for 3 to 4 hours or until tender.
• Baste both sides of ribs with Memphis Barbecue Sauce recipe 99023 and grill 5 to 7 minutes per side.
• Serve with extra sauce and lots of paper towels.

THE NEELYS MEMPHIS-STYLE HICKORY-SMOKED BEEF AND PORK RIBS

Steps:

• For the rub: Add all ingredients to a bowl and stir until combined. Keep in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
• For the ribs: Rinse and dry ribs. Place on a clean cutting board and pull off the membrane, the thin fatty skin that lines the underside of the ribs. Trim the ribs of excess fat and meat. Liberally season both sides of the ribs with 1/4 to 1/2 cup Neely's BBQ Rub. Wrap ribs and refrigerate for at least 8 hours so flavors can permeate.
• Preheat grill to 250 degrees F. using hickory and charcoal.
• Use indirect heat and cook with the cover down.
• Place ribs, meatier side down, on the grill away from the coals. Cook beef 2 hours, adding more coals as needed. Turn and cook for 45 minutes more, or until the ribs "bend" and the meat easily separates from the bone using a fork. Cook the pork ribs 3 hours. Turn and cook another hour, or until ribs bend. Remove from grill.
• For dry ribs: Sprinkle extra Neely's BBQ seasoning over ribs, cut bones and serve.
• For wet ribs: Coat ribs with Neely's BBQ sauce, cut and serve.
• Barbecue Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to simmer. Cooked uncovered, stirring frequently, for 1 hour 15 minutes. Yield: 3 1/2 cups.

MEMPHIS-STYLE HICKORY-SMOKED BEEF RIBS

Steps:

• Rinse and dry ribs. Place on a clean cutting board and pull off the membrane, the thin fatty skin that lines the underside of the ribs. Trim the ribs of excess fat and meat. Liberally season both sides of each slab with 1/4 to 1/2 cup Neely's BBQ Dry Rub. Wrap ribs with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours so flavors can permeate.
• Preheat grill to 250 degrees F. using hickory and charcoal. Use indirect heat and cook with the cover down.
• Place ribs, meatier side down, on the grill away from the coals. Cook beef 2 hours, adding more coals as needed. Turn and cook for 45 minutes more, or until the ribs "bend" and the meat easily separates from the bone using a fork. Remove from grill.
• For dry ribs: Sprinkle extra Neely's BBQ Dry Rub over ribs, cut between the bones and serve.
• In a bowl stir together the paprika, sugar and onion powder until combined. Keep in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

OVEN BAKED MEMPHIS STYLE RIBS

Steps:

• First, we start by preheating the oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Meanwhile, take the spare ribs and wash them thoroughly. Run them under cold water and hand rub both sides.
• Remove the thin flap of meat on the back side; the piece that emulates flank steak. After, remove the thin, transparent film also located on the backside of the ribs. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! (If you dont, your ribs will be tough and bitter).
• Rub a small amount (1 cup total) of apple vinegar over both sides of the ribs. The vinegar draw the pork blood from the meat, and also acts as a tenderizer; and adds flavor.
• Sprinkle 3 table spoons of rub seasoning on the front, three on the back, and take about 2-3 minutes to rub it into, and spread thoroughly, on each side.
• Place ribs in a baking pan and cover with foil.
• Place ribs on a rack positioned in the middle of the oven.
• To create the mop, take 1 table spoon of your rub, add 1 cup of apple vinegar, and one table spoon yellow mustard. Mix together well.
• After 2 hours of cooking, remove the ribs and drain the juices from the pan. Apply mop mixture lightly to the meaty side of the ribs using a soaked paper towel, etc. When finished, recover with foil, place back in oven on middle rack, reset timer for another 2 hours.
• Once the second duration of 2 hours has finished, remove foil, remove ribs and drain the excess juice. Re apply mop lightly. return to over WITHOUT foil covering it. Switch oven to BROIL- High mode and broil for 10-15 minutes (or until you find the outer side crispy enough).
• remove from oven, sprinkle remaining table spoon of rub spices over front and back of ribs, and let sit uncovered for approximately 10 minutes.
• Enjoy.

MEMPHIS STYLE BACK RIBS

Steps:

• About 30 minutes before smoking, make the dry rub. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl; mix well.
• Spread both sides of ribs with yellow mustard and sprinkle with dry rub. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Heat charcoal or gas grill for indirect cooking at 250 degrees F. Place the ribs, meaty side up, over a drip pan and cook for 4 to 6 hours until very tender. Spritz ribs occasionally with water or apple juice using a spray bottle. Add about 12 coals to a charcoal grill every 45 minutes or so to maintain the heat.
• Let ribs stand 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

MEMPHIS-STYLE BARBECUED PORK RIBS

Steps:

• Rinse the rib slabs in cold water, and pat dry with paper towels. Place the slabs on a clean chopping board. Using your fingers, pull off the thick white membrane. Use a small knife to trim off the excess fat and meat. Using a sharp knife, trim off the brisket bone. Season both sides of the slab with salt and Neely's Barbecue Seasoning, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to a day in advance.
• When you're ready to cook the ribs, preheat the grill to 250°F, preferably using a combination of hickory wood and charcoal. Place the slab on the grill away from (not directly over) the flame (using indirect heat). Cook the slab curl-side up for approximately 2 1/2 hours. Flip the slab over to finish the cooking, about 1 more hour, or until you get the full "bend" in the slab (see Tony's Tip).
• For dry ribs, pull the ribs off the grill, and sprinkle more Neely's Barbecue Seasoning over the entire slab. Cut between the bones and serve. For wet ribs, pull the ribs off the grill, and pour Neely's Barbecue Sauce over the slab. Slice between the bones into individual portions, and serve.

BARBECUED DRY RUB RIBS, MEMPHIS-STYLE

Steps:

• Mix together the paprika, Old Bay seasoning, chili powder, sugar, black pepper, garlic powder and onion powder in a bowl. Rub half the mixture all over the slab of spare ribs, on every side. Reserve the other half of the dry rub mix. Heat the oven to 215 degrees. While the oven is warming, soak the wood chips in cold water to cover (for about 20 minutes). Remove the chips from water and spread them evenly in the base of the smoker. Place the smoker, uncovered, on top of two stove-top burners set at medium-high heat. Let the wood chips smoke for about 3 minutes. Then place the slab of ribs on the smoker tray, place the tray over the wood chips, and cover the smoker tightly with its lid. Turn heat down to medium, and leave the smoker on the burners for 5 minutes. Then transfer smoker to the oven, placing it on the oven floor. After the ribs have been in the oven for 1 1/2 hours, remove the smoker and once again place it over two burners set at medium heat for 5 minutes. Return smoker to oven floor. After the ribs have been in the oven for one hour more, remove the smoker from the oven. Carefully lift up the tray holding the ribs, and pour off the liquid that has accumulated in the tray. Reserve. Return tray with ribs to middle portion of oven, and cook for one hour more. While ribs are cooking, de-grease the reserved cooking liquid, and measure 2 tablespoons of it into a bowl. If you don't have 2 tablespoons make up the difference with water. Add the vinegar and blend well. Reserve. Add the salt to the remaining dry rub mix and blend well. Reserve. Remove ribs from oven and brush top side with the cooking liquid-vinegar mixture. Then sprinkle the salted dry rub mix evenly over the top side of the ribs. Return to middle portion of oven, and cook one hour more. Remove ribs from oven. Let stand 15 minutes. Carve into individual ribs and serve.
• Suggested drink: Qupe Syrah, 1995.
• *It's best if you use a high-quality chile powder-preferably one with a smoky flavor. My favorite for this recipe is Smoked Jalapeno Flakes made by Chile Today, Hot Tamale(tm) in North Brunswick, New Jersey.

MEMPHIS-STYLE HICKORY-SMOKED BEEF AND PORK RIBS

Steps:

• For the rub: Add all ingredients to a bowl and stir until combined. Keep in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
• For the ribs: Rinse and dry ribs. Place on a clean cutting board and pull off the membrane, the thin fatty skin that lines the underside of the ribs. Trim the ribs of excess fat and meat. Liberally season both sides of the ribs with 1/4 to 1/2 cup Neely's BBQ Rub. Wrap ribs and refrigerate for at least 8 hours so flavors can permeate.
• Preheat grill to 250 degrees F. using hickory and charcoal.
• Use indirect heat (push the coals and chops to one side of the grill).
• Place ribs meatier side down on the grill away from the flame. Cook beef 2 hours. Turn and cook for 45 minutes more, or until the ribs "bend" and the meat easily separates from the bone using a fork. Cook the pork ribs 3 hours. Turn and cook another hour, or until ribs bend. Remove from grill.
• For dry ribs: Sprinkle extra Neely's BBQ seasoning over ribs, cut bones and serve.
• For wet ribs: Coat ribs with Neely's BBQ sauce, cut and serve.
• Neely's BBQ sauce: In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to simmer. Cooked uncovered, stirring frequently, for 2 hours.

PRESSURE-COOKER MEMPHIS-STYLE RIBS

Steps:

• Combine vinegar and water; brush over ribs. Pour remaining vinegar mixture into a 6-qt. electric pressure cooker. Mix together next 12 ingredients, reserving half. Sprinkle ribs with half of seasoning blend. Cut ribs into serving-size pieces; transfer to pressure cooker. , Lock lid; close pressure-release valve. Adjust to pressure-cook on high for 20 minutes. Allow pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes; quick-release any remaining pressure. , Remove ribs; skim fat from cooking juices. Using a clean brush, brush ribs generously with skimmed cooking juices; sprinkle with reserved seasoning. Serve ribs with remaining juices.

SLOW-COOKER MEMPHIS-STYLE RIBS

Steps:

• Combine vinegar and water; brush over ribs. Pour remaining vinegar mixture into a 6-qt. slow cooker. Mix together remaining ingredients, reserving half. Sprinkle ribs with half the seasoning blend; reserve the other half. Cut the ribs into serving-sized pieces; transfer to slow cooker. , Cook, covered, on low until tender, 5-6 hours. Remove ribs; skim fat from cooking juices. Using a clean brush, brush ribs generously with skimmed cooking juices; sprinkle with reserved seasoning mixture. Serve ribs with remaining juices.

MEMPHIS STYLE DRY RIBS: CORKY'S RIBS

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium heat with all of the coals on 1 side.
• Grill over indirect heat (meat side down) for approximately 2 hours, turning once, until internal temperature reaches 185 degrees F.
• Baste ribs on both sides during cooking with 3 parts water to 1 part BBQ sauce. Once the ribs reach 185 degrees F, baste again with full strength BBQ sauce and sprinkle liberally with dry rib seasoning.

MEMPHIS-STYLE BABY BACK RIBS

Steps:

• Make the rub: Whisk the turbinado sugar, brown sugar, salt, paprika, ancho powder, granulated garlic, onion powder, mustard powder, cayenne, cumin and 1 teaspoon black pepper in a medium bowl.
• Preheat a grill to medium low and prepare for indirect cooking: On a gas grill, preheat the grill, then turn off half the burners. On a charcoal grill, light the coals, then bank to one side; put a disposable aluminum drip pan on the unlit side of the grill under the grates. Meanwhile, soak the wood chips in water, 30 minutes; drain.
• Make the ribs: Turn the ribs bone-side up. Slip a paring knife between the thin membrane and the bone to loosen, then pull off the membrane; trim any excess fat. Season both sides of the racks with the rub (about 1/2 tablespoon per side). Transfer to a roasting pan, bone-side down, and let sit 30 minutes.
• When the grill registers 250˚ F, add the wood chips: On a gas grill, fill a smoker box with the chips and use according to the manufacturer's instructions; on a charcoal grill, sprinkle the chips over the coals. Place the ribs bone-side down on the cooler side of the grill. Cover the grill and smoke the ribs for 2 hours (if using charcoal, adjust the air vents and add more coals as needed so the temperature stays around 250˚ F).
• While the ribs are smoking, lay out 2 long sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil (or double pieces of regular foil). Spread 1/2 tablespoon each of the rub, brown sugar and maple syrup down the center of each piece of foil.
• Place the ribs, meat-side down, on the prepared foil, then top each rack with another 1/2 tablespoon each of the rub, brown sugar and maple syrup. Fold the foil over the ribs and crimp the edges, leaving one side open; pour 2 tablespoons apple juice into each packet and crimp the final edge to seal. Return to the grill and cook until the meat is tender, 2 to 2 1/2 more hours.
• Meanwhile, make the barbecue sauce: Heat the canola oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until golden, about 2 minutes. Add the ketchup, 1/2 cup honey, the tomato paste, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard powder, cayenne and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a low boil, whisking, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Whisk in 1/2 cup water and simmer 5 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup of the rub until dissolved; season with more of the rub, 1 tablespoon at a time, if needed. Let cool.
• Make the glaze: Whisk 3/4 cup of the barbecue sauce with the remaining 1/4 cup honey. Set aside the rest of the barbecue sauce for serving.
• Carefully remove the ribs from the foil; return to the grill, meat-side up. Brush with the glaze and continue to cook for 5 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and slice. For "muddy style," sprinkle with more of the rub. Serve with the remaining barbecue sauce.

BULL'S-EYE MEMPHIS STYLE RED-EYE BBQ RIBS

Steps:

• Place each rack of ribs on separate large sheet heavy-duty foil; rub with coffee grounds. Wrap ribs in foil. Refrigerate 1 hour.
• Heat charcoal grill to medium heat. Arrange coals evenly on each side of charcoal grate. Place wrapped ribs on center of grate; cover with lid. Grill 2 hours.
• Remove ribs from foil; discard foil. Place ribs, meat-sides down, on grill grate; brush with 1/4 cup sauce. Grill 10 min., turning after 5 min. and brushing with remaining barbecue sauce.

NEELEY'S MEMPHIS-STYLE HICKORY-SMOKED BEEF AND PORK RIBS

Steps:

• For the rub: Add all ingredients to a bowl and stir until combined. Keep in an airtight container for up to 6 months. For the ribs: Rinse and dry ribs. Place on a clean cutting board and pull off the membrane, the thin fatty skin that lines the underside of the ribs. Trim the ribs of excess fat and meat. Liberally season both sides of the ribs with 1/4 to 1/2 cup Neely's BBQ Rub. Wrap ribs and refrigerate for at least 8 hours so flavors can permeate. Preheat grill to 250 degrees F. using hickory and charcoal. Use indirect heat and cook with the cover down. Place ribs, meatier side down, on the grill away from the coals. Cook beef 2 hours, adding more coals as needed. Turn and cook for 45 minutes more, or until the ribs "bend" and the meat easily separates from the bone using a fork. Cook the pork ribs 3 hours. Turn and cook another hour, or until ribs bend. Remove from grill. For dry ribs: Sprinkle extra Neely's BBQ seasoning over ribs, cut bones and serve. For wet ribs: Coat ribs with Neely's BBQ sauce, cut and serve. Neely's BBQ Sauce 2 cups ketchup 1 cup water 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar 5 tablespoons light brown sugar 5 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1/2 tablespoon fresh ground black pepper 1/2 tablespoon onion powder 1/2 tablespoon ground mustard In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to simmer. Cooked uncovered, stirring frequently, for 1 hour 15 minutes. Yield: 3 1/2 cups

MEMPHIS STYLE PORK RIBS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
• Mix rub ingredients together well.
• Lay the ribs on a rack in a foil-lined pan, and rub all of the spice mix evenly onto both sides of both rib racks.
• Bake meat-side up for 2 hours, or until each rack droops on both sides when picked up with tongs in the middle.
• Serve with favorite BBQ sauce, or dry. (I enjoy them both ways).
• HINT: Can bake ahead, especially if making for a crowd. To reheat, bake (meat side up) partially covered with foil for 30 minutes at 250 degrees F.