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Recipe: BBQ Spare Ribs with Beer and Honey

The summer months are prime grilling season, whether you’re barbecuing in the backyard for family dinner on a Sunday night or are on a weekend getaway with friends.

Grilling is embedded in human nature, with 80% of Americans owning a barbecue or smoker, according to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association’s (HPBA) 2022 State of the Barbecue Industry report.

People pride themselves in their individual barbecuing techniques, claiming to grill a steak to perfection or make the juiciest burger for your bun. Of course, BBQ spare ribs are another favorite meal that always leaves you smacking your saucy lips and licking your sticky fingers. 

However, for as many delicious BBQ spare rib recipes have been cooked up across households, nothing beats the tangy flavors of an ale and honey marinade. 

As you prepare your outdoor dinner plans for hot summer nights of grilling, BBQ spare ribs with beer and honey is one classic recipe you’ll want to try.

Essential Equipment for the Perfect BBQ

Before throwing your BBQ spare ribs on the grill, you’ll need to ensure you have the essential grilling equipment on hand.

Get yourself a pair of stainless steel tongs, sharp skewers and durable grilling mitts to prevent burning yourself. Investing in a grill thermometer is also essential to guarantee your food is cooked to an appropriate temperature for eating.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services maintains a chart for safe minimum internal temperatures for meats. For example, when fully cooked, chicken dishes should be no less than 165° Fahrenheit, while steaks should reach at least 145° F with three minutes of resting time.

You may want to consider other grilling items: an apron with pockets to hold your tools, a grill mat to prevent food from falling through the grates and a brush set to clean your grill afterward. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), grills start about 10,600 home fires annually, making cleanliness even more critical. 

How to Make BBQ Spare Ribs With Beer and Honey

There’s nothing tastier than BBQ spare ribs marinated in your favorite rub and grilled until the meat practically falls off the bone. If you’re barbecuing for a large crowd, beer and honey-marinated BBQ spare ribs will become everyone’s new favorite.  

For this spare rib recipe, you’ll need ribs, dry mustard, beer, honey, chili powder, sage, salt and lemon juice. 

Place the ribs in a shallow pan and mix the rest of the wet and dry ingredients in a bowl. Pour the marinade over the ribs, letting them sit for 24 hours in the refrigerator, turning them once. 

Before you’re ready to grill, remove the ribs from the marinade and set the leftover liquid aside. You’ll want to stick skewers through the ribs or place them flat on a grill mat. They’ll need to cook for about 1 hour and 15 minutes as you frequently turn them and apply more marinade. 

When they’re done, serve them with a side of fresh coleslaw, baked beans, macaroni and cheese or corn on the cob—classic accompaniments to baby back ribs. 

More Ways to Cook Spare Ribs

If you ask any barbecue enthusiast, there isn’t a better way to eat spare ribs than straight off the grill. However, let’s say you don’t own a barbecue or summer weather dampens your outdoor cooking plans. Thankfully, there are a couple of other ways to make BBQ spare ribs that are fall-off-the-bone delicious.

Oven-Baked

Follow the instructions to make the beer and honey marinade—or whatever recipe you’re making—and allow your ribs to sit and soak overnight. Rather than skewering them for the grill, set your oven to 250° F.

When you’re ready to cook, remove the ribs from the marinade and place them in heavy-duty aluminum foil. Then, baste them with the leftover marinade and close the foil tightly. Place the foiled ribs on a baking sheet just in case the liquid leaks while cooking. 

Your ribs will likely need to cook for about 2.5 hours, at which point you should remove them and apply more marinade. Pop them under the broiler until they begin to get crusty. At that point, they’ll be ready to eat. 

Slow Cooker

Another easy way to make BBQ spare ribs without an actual barbecue is in the slow cooker or crockpot. You can either marinate your ribs overnight as the recipe calls for or simply put your ribs and liquid mixture into the crockpot when you’re ready to make them. 

Put the lid on the crockpot and set the temperature to low heat. Allow your ribs to cook and simmer for six to eight hours. This is an excellent method if you’re busy during the day and won’t have much time to cook in the evening. 

Because BBQ spare ribs usually taste better when they’re nice and crusty, place them in the oven under the broiler for around 20 minutes before serving. You can still enjoy the traditional side dishes for this meal, even if you cook your BBQ spare ribs indoors.

BBQ Spare Ribs: Grilled to Perfection

A perfect barbecue is an art form that takes practice and skill. Making BBQ spare ribs isn’t too challenging to learn, even if you’re just starting out. With the perfect marinade and easy instructions, you’ll end up with a mouth-watering meal that everyone can enjoy.

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