COMPETITION RIBS RECIPES

Steps:

• For the rub: The day before cooking, mix the turbinado sugar, salt, paprika, chili powder, granulated garlic, onion powder, ground cumin, ground mustard, cayenne pepper and black pepper together.
• For the ribs: Take a slab of ribs and turn over so the curved side is up. Using your fingernail or a knife, pry under the membrane until you can put your finger under it and then pull it off.
• Sprinkle this side of the ribs with about 1 tablespoon rub, and then about 1 tablespoon yellow mustard. Use the mustard to help evenly distribute the seasoning. Turn the ribs over and repeat the process. Cover and store in the refrigerator overnight.
• To cook, start a smoker and bring the temp to 200 degrees F. Use apple or cherry wood chunks to provide smoke and flavor. Place the ribs in the smoker, curved side down. Smoke for 2 hours at 200 degrees F, and then raise the temperature to 250 degrees F for about 2 1/2 hours. Check for tenderness by testing if the bones will pull apart with a slight bit of pressure. If they are still tough, allow to cook for another 30 minutes.
• Remove from the smoker. For dry-style ribs, sprinkle with about 1 tablespoon rub. For wet-style ribs, glaze with the BBQ sauce.

Steps:

• Rinse ribs under water. Remove membrane from bone side.
• Dust all sides with dry rub. Press rub into meat with open hand. Let sit at room temperature for 45 to 60 minutes.
• Preheat the smoker to 250°F using lump charcoal and hardwood/fruitwood combination like hickory and peach wood.
• Smoke ribs directly on racks, meat side up, for three hours.
• Spritz the ribs with apple juice every hour and/or add a water pan to the smoker.
• Lay down a sheet of aluminum foil per rib rack.
• Spread a quarter cup of ghee onto the foil. Sprinkle half a cup of brown sugar onto the butter and squeeze the honey in a zig-zag pattern over the butter and brown sugar. Then pour on the Tiger sauce . Mix together with a gloved hand.
• Place ribs meat side down into glaze mixture. Spread excess glaze onto the bone side of ribs. Be sure the rack of ribs is thoroughly and evenly covered.
• Wrap the foil tightly around the rack of ribs, making sure there are no loose spots where steam can escape. Place foiled ribs back on the smoker for 2 more hours.
• After 2 hours, carefully remove the ribs from the foil. Place back on the smoker rack and mop all over with BBQ sauce.
• Cook for another hour mopping once more at the half hour mark.
• Remove from smoker and serve warm.