Marinated Grilled Spareribs With Homemade Barbecue Sauce

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 05/10/21
Marinated Grilled Spareribs With Homemade Barbecue Sauce

The Spruce / Karen Hibbard

Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 60 mins
Marinate: 4 hrs
Total: 5 hrs 20 mins
Servings: 4 to 6 servings

This recipe for spareribs is made with a marinade and easy sauce for grilling. Spareribs are a type of pork ribs. They are very versatile and are cooked and eaten in many cuisines around the world. The pork spareribs are cut from the lower portion of a pig; they specifically come from the belly and breastbone. A full set of spareribs include 11 to 13 long bones. This recipe provides you with steps to make both a marinade and a homemade barbecue sauce. The marinade is used to tenderize the meat and can be left on the meat for as long as one night. The barbecue sauce is used for basting and flavoring the ribs as they cook. It's also a great classic recipe anytime you need a barbecue sauce.

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Ingredients

  • 3 to 4 pounds spareribs, cut into serving-size portions

For the Marinade:

  • 1 cup hot water

  • 1/3 cup vinegar

  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar

  • 1 large bay leaf, crumbled

For the Sauce:

  • 1/3 cup vinegar

  • 2/3 cup ketchup

  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

  • 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Marinated Grilled Spareribs With Homemade Barbecue Sauce ingredients

    The Spruce / Karen Hibbard

  2. Arrange ribs in a nonreactive container, such as a deep glass dish or stainless steel.

    Arrange ribs in a nonreactive container

    The Spruce / Karen Hibbard

  3. Combine marinade ingredients in a bowl.

    Combine marinade ingredients in a bowl

    The Spruce / Karen Hibbard

  4. Pour the hot marinade over the ribs. Cover and refrigerate the ribs for at least 4 hours or overnight.

    spareribs and marinade in a container

    The Spruce / Karen Hibbard

  5. Combine sauce ingredients in a bowl. Heat charcoal grill, if you are using. If you are using a gas grill, heat the grill to medium. 

    sauce ingredients in a bowl

    The Spruce / Karen Hibbard

  6. Remove the ribs from the marinade (discard the marinade) and place them on the grill. Let the meat sear over the hot grill.

    spareribs cooking on the grill

    The Spruce / Karen Hibbard

  7. Turn ribs over and sear the other side. Baste the ribs with the barbecue sauce.

    spareribs cooking on the grill

    The Spruce / Karen Hibbard

  8. Continue to cook the ribs, turning and frequently basting, until tender, about 50 to 60 minutes. Keep watch to avoid any flare-ups on the grill, as that will char the meat. 

    spareribs on the grill, brushed with sauce

    The Spruce / Karen Hibbard

  9. The ribs are finished when they feel tender in the thickest sections. Serve the ribs with your favorite barbecue sides, such as baked beans, coleslaw, and grilled corn.

    Marinated Grilled Spareribs With Homemade Barbecue Sauce on a platter, with sauce

    The Spruce / Karen Hibbard

Tip

  • Do note that this recipe requires some active grilling work, with frequent basting and turning for about 50 to 60 minutes. While it's not complicated work, it can be very hot and will require minimal attention to time and the ribs. This is not a set it and forget it type of rib recipe. In addition to a nonreactive container to marinate the ribs, you'll also want a basting tool. A silicone basting brush or even a spare paintbrush (designated to be used only with food) will work.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
1024 Calories
72g Fat
44g Carbs
49g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 1024
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 72g 93%
Saturated Fat 22g 108%
Cholesterol 244mg 81%
Sodium 1272mg 55%
Total Carbohydrate 44g 16%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 36g
Protein 49g
Vitamin C 2mg 12%
Calcium 86mg 7%
Iron 4mg 24%
Potassium 911mg 19%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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