Smoky Cranberry Ribs Recipe

Smoky Cranberry Ribs Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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I love cranberries and freeze them in season to enjoy all year-round. Living near New Jersey’s cranberry bogs inspires me to develop new and delicious ways to use them, as in this recipe.—Christine Wendland, Browns Mills, New Jersey

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Smoky Cranberry Ribs Recipe

Prep: 25 min. + chilling Grill: 2 hours

Yield: 6 Servings

25 120 145

Ingredients

4-1/2 teaspoons paprika
4 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons fennel seed
1-1/2 teaspoons pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon caraway seeds
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage
6 pounds pork baby back ribs
SAUCE:
1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed
1-1/2 cups packed dark brown sugar
1 cup cider vinegar
1 small sweet onion, chopped
1/4 cup ketchup

Directions

In a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle, combine the first nine ingredients; grind until fennel and caraway seeds are crushed. Set aside 4 teaspoons for sauce.
Rub remaining spice mixture over ribs. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Wrap ribs in a large piece of heavy-duty foil (about 28 in. x 18 in.); seal tightly. Prepare grill for indirect heat, using a drip pan. Place ribs over drip pan and grill, covered, over indirect medium heat for 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until tender.
In a small saucepan, combine the cranberries, brown sugar, vinegar, onion and reserved spice mixture. Cook over medium heat until berries pop, about 15 minutes; cool slightly. Transfer to a blender; add ketchup. Cover and process until smooth. Set aside 1 cup sauce for serving.
Moisten a paper towel with cooking oil; using long-handled tongs, lightly coat the grill rack. Carefully remove ribs from foil. Place over direct heat; baste with some of the sauce. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 20-30 minutes or until browned, turning and basting occasionally. Serve with reserved sauce. Yield: 6 servings.

Nutritional Facts 1 serving with 3 tablespoons sauce equals 1,023 calories, 62 g fat (23 g saturated fat), 245 mg cholesterol, 1,936 mg sodium, 63 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 51 g protein.

Originally published as Smoky Cranberry Ribs in Taste of Home June/July 2011, p69