Gotham's Dark Knight Ribs with Smoked 'Bat' BBQ Sauce
These ribs are a tribute to the shadowy protector of the city: robust, complex, and utterly satisfying. Slow-cooked to tender perfection and finished with a rich, smoky barbecue sauce that's dark in color and deep in flavor, they're a hero-worthy meal. The dry rub permeates the meat, creating an irresistible bark.
Directions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C). Remove the membrane from the back of each rib rack by lifting a corner with a butter knife and peeling it off with a paper towel.
- 2
In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using) to make the dry rub.
- 3
Generously rub the spice mixture over both sides of the ribs. Place the ribs, bone-side down, on a baking sheet lined with foil.
- 4
Cover the baking sheet tightly with another layer of foil. Bake for 2 hours.
- 5
While the ribs are baking, prepare the BBQ sauce. In a saucepan, combine the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, Dijon mustard, and salt.
- 6
Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
- 7
After 2 hours, remove the ribs from the oven and carefully uncover. Increase oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).
- 8
Brush a generous amount of the prepared BBQ sauce over the top of the ribs. Return to the oven, uncovered, and bake for another 30-45 minutes, or until the ribs are very tender and the sauce is caramelized, brushing with more sauce every 15 minutes.
- 9
Once cooked, let the ribs rest for 10 minutes before slicing into individual portions. Serve hot with extra BBQ sauce on the side.