Maple BBQ Ribs
A recipe by Alex Turcotte (Projet BBQ)
Ingredients
6 servings
- 2 racks of ribs
- 90 to 125 ml (6 tbsp to ½ cup) all-purpose seasoning
- 1 can (473 ml) maple Scotch ale
- 30 ml (2 tbsp) PRESTIGE maple flakes
- 30 ml (2 tbsp) PRESTIGE maple syrup
- 30 ml (2 tbsp) butter
- 500 ml (2 cups) ketchup
- 375 ml (1½ cups) maple syrup
- 200 ml (¾ cup + 4 tsp) apple cider vinegar
- 150 ml (½ cup + 5 tsp) golden corn syrup
- 50 ml (3 tbsp + 1 tsp) Worcestershire sauce
- 30 ml (2 tbsp) yellow mustard
- 60 ml (¼ cup) PRESTIGE maple flakes
- 15 ml (1 tbsp) kosher salt
- 15 ml (1 tbsp) freshly ground black pepper
- 15 ml (1 tbsp) granulated garlic
- 15 ml (1 tbsp) onion powder
- 5 ml (1 tsp) chipotle powder—or 2.5 ml (½ tsp) for a milder sauce
- 5 ml (1 tsp) lemon pepper
- 5 ml (1 tsp) paprika
- Juice of ½ lemon
Preparation
- Combine all the sauce ingredients in a saucepan. Simmer uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes, until the mixture reaches between 90 and 95°C (194 and 203°F) on a cooking thermometer. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
- Remove the membrane from the underside of the ribs by sliding a knife between the bone and the membrane. Lift the membrane and pull it off.
- Sprinkle each rack evenly with all-purpose seasoning, using 45 to 60 ml (3 to 4 tbsp) per rack.
- Pour the beer into a spray bottle, reserving 45 ml (3 tbsp).
- Preheat the barbecue or smoker to between 107 and 135°C (225 and 275°F). Cooking at 107°C (225°F) gives you a greater margin for error, while cooking at 135°C (275°F) saves time. Choose whichever temperature you are most comfortable with. Add the smoking wood. Do not use too much—two chunks are enough.
- Cook the ribs over indirect heat on the barbecue or smoker, bone-side down, until the spice crust is to your liking and the meat reaches between 71 and 74°C (160 and 165°F) on a cooking thermometer, approximately 2½ to 3 hours. Spray the meat with beer every 30 minutes. This will help form the spice crust, while the moisture will help the smoke adhere to the meat.
- On a sheet of butcher paper or aluminum foil, spread the reserved beer (45 ml or 3 tbsp), maple flakes, maple syrup, butter and a drizzle of maple barbecue sauce—approximately 30 ml (2 tbsp)—over an area large enough to cover the surface of the ribs. Place the ribs meat-side down on the sheet and wrap them as tightly as possible.
- Continue cooking the ribs on the barbecue or smoker, meat-side down, until their internal temperature reaches between 91 and 93°C (196 and 199°F) on a cooking thermometer, approximately 1 to 2 hours.
- Unwrap the ribs and brush them with the remaining barbecue sauce. Place them directly on the grill and cook over indirect heat for 5 to 10 minutes, until the sauce caramelizes.
- Slice between the bones and serve.
