Baked Cranberry-Chipotle Barbecue Ribs
Fall-off-the-bone pork ribs simmered tender, then slathered in a homemade cranberry-chipotle barbecue sauce — sweet, smoky, tangy and a little spicy — and baked until charred.
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 medium onions coarsely chopped
- 6 cloves garlic coarsely chopped
- 1 tbsp finely grated fresh ginger packed
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- ¾ cup ketchup
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ⅓ cup brown sugar packed
- 1-3 tsp chipotle powder equals 1-3 chipotles in adobo sauce
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ⅛ tsp cloves
- 2 racks pork back ribs about 6 lbs total
Instructions
- Cover the ribs with water in a large stockpot and bring to a boil; reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until the ribs are tender. Drain and arrange the ribs meaty-side up on foil-lined baking sheets.
- Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until soft, about 5 minutes, then add the garlic and ginger and cook 1 minute more.
- Stir in the cranberries, ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, chipotle, pepper and cloves; cook until the cranberries start to pop and the mixture thickens a bit, about 10 minutes. Purée the barbecue sauce using an immersion blender, or by cautiously blending 1/3 at a time in a standing blender.
- Slather the ribs with the sauce and bake at 325°F (160°C) for 45 minutes, or until the ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender and charred in spots (cover with foil if they're getting too dark).
Notes
Simmer first: Boiling the ribs until tender, then baking, gives fall-off-the-bone meat with caramelized edges.
Adjust the heat: 1 tsp chipotle is mild, 3 tsp is fiery — start low.
Cranberry tang: The cranberries add bright tartness that cuts the rich pork; frozen work fine.
Watch the char: Tent with foil if the sauce darkens before the ribs are done.
Nutrition
Calories: 700kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 48g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 20g | Cholesterol: 160mg | Sodium: 1200mg | Potassium: 600mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 200IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 3mg