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    Home » Recipes » Recipe

    Smoked Cherry BBQ Sauce with Ribs

    Published: Aug 15, 2016 · Modified: Jun 22, 2018 by Fox Valley Foodie · This post may contain affiliate links

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    This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HogWildThrowdown #CollectiveBias

    Easy to prepare, sweet and sticky Smoked Cherry BBQ Sauce makes the ideal lacquer for a meaty rack of baby back ribs.

    Smoked Cherry BBQ Sauce with RibsI remember when I first starting my love affair with cooking, the idea of preparing a tender rack of ribs was almost as intimidating as acknowledging a girl at the 7th grade dance. Though, in my defense, the risk for cooties were at epidemic levels in those days. However, I have since learned for best results just take it slow, time is on your side.  Simply letting the ribs relax in the heat long enough will render them into mouthwateringly tender barbecue. As for demystifying women? Well, I still don't know much about that.

    Ribs SmokerThough one of my most popular recipes on this website is for making BBQ Ribs in the Oven, I typically prefer to smoke my ribs over charcoal, as shown above, using the popular 3-2-1 method.  This is a foolproof way to prepare ribs in a smoker, or a grill, at 225 degrees.  It simply means cook for 3 hours, then 2 hours wrapped in foil with a splash of apple juice, and finally finish by cooking 1 hour unwrapped again. Cooking ribs is really a lot simpler than people fear.  However, if you would like a more detailed explanation of what makes the 3-2-1 method so great, check out my post on the 3-2-1 Ribs Method.

    Really, the only thing you need to remember about cooking great ribs is this: "If they aren't tender yet, cook them longer."
    Smithfield WalmartMeaty ribs like the Smithfield Extra Tender Back Ribs I picked up at Walmart make for an amazing flavor canvass for constructing your ideal BBQ. Whether you simply dry rub them, lacquer them in a sticky coat of sauce, or go a completely different route, there are an infinite number of flavor possibilities. However, this Smoked Cherry BBQ Sauce is probably going to be your rib's best friend.

    Smoked Cherry BBQ Sauce RecipeSeriously, this is not a gimmicky condiment that is more reminiscent of a loose cherry jelly than actual BBQ sauce. No my friends, this is a well-balanced BBQ sauce that pits the sweetness of dark cherries and brown sugar against the acidity of apple cider vinegar and a bit of orange juice, with just the right touch of heat. This sauce is thick and luxurious, and will create the perfect sticky glaze to top these Smithfield Extra Tender Back Ribs!

    If you prefer a more traditional BBQ sauce, check out my homemade BBQ sauce recipe.

    Smoked Cherry BBQ Sauce Ribs SmithfieldPlus right now Smithfield® is hosting their Hog Wild Throwdown, with prizes including two F-150's! I wonder how many ribs that could haul? Celebrity grillers Moe Cason and Tuffy Stone have returned as Brand Ambassadors for this event too. Check out the video below for some great grilling tips from Tuffy Stone.

    Smoked Cherry BBQ Sauce Ribs Recipe

    Smoked Cherry BBQ Sauce with Ribs

    Smoked Cherry BBQ Sauce with Ribs

    Easy to prepare, sweet and sticky Smoked Cherry BBQ Sauce makes the ideal lacquer for a meaty rack of baby back ribs.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: BBQ
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 6 hours
    Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
    Servings: 6 servings
    Author: Fox Valley Foodie

    Ingredients

    • 2 racks Smithfield Extra Tender Back Ribs
    • 2 tablespoon Mustard
    • 1 recipe BBQ Dry Rub
    • ¼ cup Apple juice divided
    • 4 Hickory chunks for smoking

    Cherry BBQ Sauce

    • 2 tablespoon butter
    • 1 medium yellow onion
    • 3 cloves garlic minced
    • 2 cups tomato sauce
    • 1 ½ cups pitted dark cherries frozen are fine
    • 1 cup cider vinegar
    • ⅔ cup dark brown sugar
    • ¼ cup juice from 1 orange
    • ¼ cup ketchup
    • ¼ honey
    • 2 tablespoon molasses
    • 1 teaspoon ancho chili powder
    • ½ teaspoon dry mustard
    • 2 teaspoon Kosher salt
    • 2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
    • 1 teaspoon Worchestershire sauce
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon liquid smoke

    Instructions

    Ribs

    • Remove membrane from under the ribs.
    • Rub a light layer of mustard around all sides of the ribs.
    • Dust liberally with BBQ dry rub (mustard helps it stick)
    • Heat smoker or grill to 225 and add hickory chunks on top of charcoal.
    • Cook ribs for three hours.
    • After three hours, wrap the ribs in foil with apple juice and cook for 2 hours.
    • Unwrap ribs, and continue cooking for 30 minutes, slather in Smoked Cherry BBQ Sauce and cook for additional 30 minutes, or until done.
    • Serve with additional BBQ sauce for coating if desired.

    Smoked Cherry BBQ Sauce

    • Melt butter in medium sauce pan and add onions. Saute until onions turn golden brown then add garlic, cooking till fragrant.
    • Add all remaining sauce ingredients and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    • Transfer to a blender and puree until smooth.
    • Let cool and store in mason jars in the refrigerator.

    Notes

    If using a grill rather than a smoker, be sure to set the charcoal off to one side so the ribs cook gently in indirect heat. Always use a thermometer to monitor cooking temperatures.
    The meat on properly cooked ribs should be tender and gently pull away from the bone, but should NOT fall off the bone. If you're meat "falls off the bone" it is because it is overcooked. Properly cooked ribs are more akin to a tender steak than pulled pork.
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it Today!Mention @FoxValleyFoodie or tag #foxvalleyfoodie!

    Don't forget to enter to win one of the great prizes in the Hog Wild Throwdown!

    If you enjoyed reading my Cherry BBQ Sauce with Ribs recipe then you should probably like me on Facebook and follow me on Pinterest too. That’s what I would do at least, because if you don’t get to know me but you still use my recipe it is kind of like taking candy from a stranger, and your mom taught you not to do that. Don’t disobey your mom, subscribe to Fox Valley Foodie today.

    Smoked Cherry BBQ Sauce with Ribs Recipe

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. David @ Spiced

      August 16, 2016 at 9:47 am

      Oh, that sauce sounds incredible! I love a good smoky BBQ sauce, and the addition of the cherries in this one is making my mouth water. I definitely need to try these this weekend. And I agree...ribs are so easy to make using the 3-2-1 method! Thanks for sharing! #client

      Reply
    2. Thalia @ butter and brioche

      August 16, 2016 at 1:14 am

      5 stars
      these ribs look amazing! and the cherry addition is so genius, definitely something i need to try!

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        August 16, 2016 at 11:14 am

        Yeah, if you like cherry flavored anything as much as I do, they are a winner!

        Reply

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