Sweet orange and cooling cilantro temper this addictively smoky chipotle sauce.
Orange-Chipotle Ribs
Yields: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1⁄3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1⁄4 cup fresh orange juice
- 3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 (2 1⁄2-pound) racks baby back ribs
- Orange-Chipotle Barbecue Sauce (recipe follows)
- Garnish: chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- In the container of a blender, blend brown sugar, orange juice, chipotle peppers, chili powder, salt, and cumin until smooth.
- Prepare ribs as directed, spreading with brown sugar mixture (see Rib Tips).
- Spray grill rack with nonstick, nonflammable grilling spray. Preheat one side of grill to medium heat (300° to 350°). Place ribs on opposite side of grill, meat side down. Grill, covered, over indirect heat, 1 hour, brushing ribs with sauce every 30 minutes (if using). Turn ribs over; cook until very tender, 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours more, brushing ribs with sauce every 30 minutes.
- Serve with reserved 1⁄2 cup sauce. Garnish with cilantro, if desired.
Orange-Chipotle Barbecue Sauce
Yields: 1⅓ cups
Ingredients
- 3⁄4 cup fresh orange juice
- 1⁄3 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1⁄4 cup honey
- 1⁄4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 1 tablespoon adobo sauce (from chipotle peppers)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
Instructions
- In the container of a blender, blend all ingredients until smooth. Reserve 1⁄2 cup sauce for serving. Cover, and refrigerate up to 3 days.
Notes
Rib Tip: Using a sharp knife, pierce thin membrane on back of ribs. Peel to remove; discard. (Use a paper towel to get a better grip.) Season as directed. Cover ribs with plastic wrap; refrigerate 8 hours or up to 2 days.
Where are the directions for the ribs and the “rib tips”… only seeing for the sauce.
Hi Dianna! We’re so sorry we forgot to add those, and thanks for pointing that out! You can now find them at the bottom in the Notes section. Thanks!
I do not own a grill.
How do I cook these in an oven?
For cooking in the oven, cook at 350° on a foil-lined baking sheet. Continue has directed (meat side down for 1 hour > flip > basting every 30 minutes.) Let us know if you have any other questions!