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BBQ Back Ribs with Blueberry Sauce

Indulge in a mouthwatering culinary adventure with our BBQ Back Ribs with Blueberry BBQ Sauce. This recipe combines the rich, smoky flavors of perfectly cooked baby back ribs with the sweet and tangy zest of a homemade blueberry BBQ sauce. Whether you're hosting a summer cookout or looking for a unique twist on a barbecue classic, this dish is sure to impress and delight your guests.

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Ingredients

  • 2 racks baby back ribs
  • blueberry BBQ sauce
  • BBQ seasoning to coat the ribs (use your favorite blend)
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • water or apple cider vinegar (for spraying)

Blueberry BBQ Sauce

  • 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tbsp molasses
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for a bit of heat)
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
Servings 4-6
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 20 minutes
For the Ribs
  1. Leave the membrane on the back of the ribs. Season the ribs generously with BBQ seasoning, salt, and pepper on both sides. Let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
  2. Preheat your grill to 225°F (107°C) for low and slow cooking. If using a charcoal grill, set up for indirect heat. If using a gas grill, turn off the burners on one side.
  3. Grill the Ribs: Place the ribs on the grill, meat side up, over indirect heat. Close the lid and cook for 1 hour. After the first hour, spray the ribs with water or apple cider vinegar to keep them moist. Continue spraying every hour.
  4. After 2.5 to 3 hours of cooking, remove the ribs from the grill and wrap them tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil. Place the wrapped ribs back on the grill and cook for an additional 1 to 2 hours, or until the internal temperature of the ribs reaches around 195°-200°F (88°C) and the meat is tender.
  5. Carefully remove the ribs from the foil and place them back on the grill. Brush a generous amount of blueberry BBQ sauce on the ribs. Close the lid and cook for another 10-20 minutes to allow the sauce to caramelize.
  6. Finish and Serve: Remove the ribs from the grill and let them rest for 10 minutes.Brush with more BBQ sauce then slice between the bones to separate the ribs. Serve the ribs with additional blueberry BBQ sauce on the side.
For the Blueberry BBQ Sauce
  1. If using fresh blueberries, rinse them well and drain. If using frozen, allow them to thaw slightly.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine the blueberries, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, honey, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard. Add the ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper (if using), and salt. Stir the mixture well to combine all the ingredients.
  3. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the blueberries break down and the sauce thickens.
  4. If you prefer a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender directly in the saucepan to puree the sauce until smooth. Alternatively, let the sauce cool slightly and blend in a regular blender in batches.
  5. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed, adding more salt, honey, or vinegar to balance the flavors to your liking. Allow the sauce to cool to room temperature before transferring it to a clean jar or bottle. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

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