Lunch: Classic Barbecue Pork Ribs with Smoky Bacon Barbecue Sauce

Recipe by Bruce Aidells Cookbook author and meat authority Bruce Aidells created this recipe exclusively for Epicurious. Aidells' garlic and fresh herb rub and bacon-infused barbecue sauce make for ribs that burst with flavor, while his cooking method—th

Ingredients

5 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt, preferably Diamond Crystal
1 tablespoon packed dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon smoked paprika, preferably Pimentón de la Vera*
2 teaspoons ancho or New Mexican chile powder
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage leaves
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon dry mustard, preferably Colman's
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
2 slabs St. Louis–style pork spareribs (about 7 pounds total) or 2 slabs pork spareribs (about 8 pounds total)

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine the garlic, salt, brown sugar, smoked paprika, chile powder, black pepper, sage, thyme, dry mustard, cumin, coriander, ginger, and cayenne pepper if using. Generously coat the ribs with the rub then wrap each slab in a double layer of plastic wrap and let them sit at room temperature for up to 2 hours. DO AHEAD: To develop maximum flavor, place the ribs, coated in the rub, in the refrigerator and chill at least 12 hours and up to 24 hours.
Preheat the oven to 325 °F.
Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil. If you have a flat metal cooling rack, arrange it in the baking sheet and place the ribs, bone side down, on the rack. If you don't have a rack, place the ribs, bone side down, directly on the foil-lined baking sheet. Bake the ribs until the meat is tender and starting to pull away from the bones, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. At this point, the ribs are ready to be served, but we recommend taking the time to finish them on the grill (or in the broiler), while glazing with homemade barbecue sauce. DO AHEAD: Ribs can be baked ahead of time and kept, wrapped in foil, at room temperature for 4 to 6 hours, before finishing them on the grill.