Easy Grilled Sticky Ribs

Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 135 min
Servings: 4
Yield: 4 servings

Description

Chef John's easy grilled sticky ribs recipe produces a caramelized, sticky rib that's tender on the inside and perfect for summer parties.

Ingredients

4 teaspoons kosher salt
4 teaspoons white sugar
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 racks baby back pork ribs
1/3 cup ketchup
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pinch cayenne pepper

Directions

1 Gather all the ingredients and preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
2 Mix salt, sugar, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder for dry rub together in a small bowl. Set aside.
3 Line a large sheet pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Place rack of ribs on the prepared pan, bone side down. Poke all over with a sharp knife. Make shallow slits across at an angle, and then repeat the opposite way; this allows the dry rub to penetrate. Transfer to the center of the preheated oven and bake for 2 hours. Remove from the oven and let cool to room temperature. Refrigerate until cold and firm, at least 2 hours, up to overnight.
4 Coat on both sides with rub; flip back over, ensuring the bone side is down. Wrap tightly with foil.
5 Preheat a charcoal grill until coals are very ashy and hot.
6 Remove from the refrigerator, unwrap, and brush off excess fat. Slice between the bones to separate each rib.
7 Combine ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, oil, and cayenne with a spoon in a bowl for glaze.
8 Place ribs on the preheated grill and cook for 2 minutes; flip and brush over glaze. Flip and repeat process until ribs are as caramelized as you prefer, about 10 minutes more.
9 Remove to a plate and brush over one more application of glaze.
10 Serve and enjoy.