Spareribs hold a special place in barbecue culture, embodying the essence of slow-cooked perfection that transforms humble cuts of meat into succulent, flavorful masterpieces. Whether you're a seasoned pitmaster or a backyard BBQ enthusiast, spareribs are a must-have on the grill, celebrated for their tender texture and rich, smoky taste. The beauty of spareribs lies in their versatility – they can be sweet, spicy, tangy, or a combination of all three, making them a favorite for gatherings and family feasts. At KLAUWE, we understand the art and science of barbecue, and our expertly crafted recipe ensures that your spareribs will be the star of any cookout, leaving your guests raving and coming back for more.

Ingredients

General:

  • Spareribs: 3 kg flat ribs (serves 4, approx. 650g per person)
  • Preparation Time: 10 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 4-5 hours at 100°C (212°F)

For the barbecue sauce:

  • 2 onions, finely chopped
  • 8 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 10 tomatoes, chopped
  • 140g tomato ketchup
  • 140g tomato paste
  • 200ml white balsamic vinegar
  • 200ml cola
  • 150ml rum
  • 3 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 liter water

For the glaze:

  • 50ml soy sauce
  • 100ml honey
  • 50ml chili sauce
  • 2 red chilies, deseeded and chopped
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • Salt to taste

Step-by-Step instructions

Step 1: Preparing the KLAUWE BBQ

To start your journey to spareribs perfection, you’ll need to preheat your KLAUWE to a steady 100°C (212°F). Close the rear vent and fully open the front vent to ensure proper airflow. Set the fire basket on the third tier from the bottom, and fill it with quality charcoal, placing fire starters at different spots among the coals. Light them up and let the charcoal heat for at least 15 minutes until it’s covered with a grey ash. This is the crucial foundation for maintaining the low and slow cooking needed for tender ribs.

 

Step 2: Prepping the spareribs

While the KLAUWE is warming up, it’s time to prepare your spareribs. Simply remove the spareribs from their packaging – no further preparation is needed at this stage. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the natural flavor of the ribs, which will be enhanced by the slow cooking process and the smoky aroma from the KLAUWE.

 

Step 3: Cooking the spareribs

Once your KLAUWE is up to temperature, it’s time to get cooking. Place the water ring filled with water (or a mix of water and white wine/spirits) on the second tier to maintain moisture. Next, install the grill grate on the third or fourth tier. Control the temperature by adjusting the vents to maintain a stable 100°C (75-100°C range is acceptable). Lay the spareribs on the grill grate with the concave side down, close the lid, and let the KLAUWE work its magic for the next 4-5 hours.

 

Step 4: Making the barbecue sauce

While the spareribs are slowly cooking, you have plenty of time to prepare a delicious homemade barbecue sauce. Begin by sautéing finely chopped onions and minced garlic in a pan until they’re translucent and fragrant. Add tomato paste and cook briefly before adding a generous splash of rum. Incorporate chopped tomatoes, white balsamic vinegar, tomato ketchup, cola, smoked paprika, and water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Let it cook for about 3 hours until the sauce reduces by half and thickens. Blend the mixture until smooth to create a rich, flavorful sauce that perfectly complements your spareribs.

 

Step 5: Making the glaze

As the spareribs near the end of their cooking time, prepare the glaze that will add the final touch of flavor. In a bowl, mix together soy sauce, honey, chili sauce, chopped red chilies (with seeds removed), minced garlic, and a pinch of salt until smooth. This glaze will not only add a beautiful shine to your ribs but will also infuse them with a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors.

 

Step 6: Finishing the spareribs

After 4-5 hours of cooking, remove the spareribs from the KLAUWE and raise the fire basket to the top level to increase the heat. Brush the spareribs generously with the prepared glaze on both sides. Place the ribs back on the grill for an additional 3-5 minutes, allowing the glaze to caramelize and form beautiful grill marks. Keep a close eye on them to avoid burning – the goal is a perfect caramelization that enhances the ribs’ flavor and texture.

 

Serve and Enjoy!

After 4-5 hours of careful preparation, your spareribs will be ready to enjoy. Serve them with your homemade barbecue sauce for an unforgettable BBQ experience. With KLAUWE, you’re not just cooking; you’re creating BBQ masterpieces.