Mango Barbecue Baby Back Ribs

Baby back ribs are smothered in mango barbecue sauce then slow roasted and grilled.

📝 Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 4 pounds (1.81 kg) baby back ribs
• 2 cups mango frozen mango chunks (defrosted (fresh can also be used))
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup (113 grams) onion, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove (peeled and finely chopped or grated)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1 cup (235 grams) ketchup
• 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup (118 ml) water

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1--- Make the rub: ---
2. 2To a bowl, add the brown sugar, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder. Mix well. Sprinkle evenly all over the ribs and rub in well. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 hour (or overnight if making ahead).
3. 3--- Make the barbecue sauce: ---
4. 4Add the mango to a blender and blend until smooth, set aside.
5. 5Heat the vegetable oil over medium heat in a large pan. Add the onions and sauté the until softened, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, paprika and mustard powder and stir and cook for 1 minute. Add the ketchup, soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil and apple cider vinegar, mango puree and water, stir well to mix. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes or until thickened (the sauce will thicken as it cools). If the sauce gets too thick at any point, just add a little water.
6. 6Transfer the sauce to a blender and blend until smooth.
7. 7--- Oven method: ---
8. 8Preheat oven to 250°F/130°C.
9. 9Place the ribs on a large baking sheet and spread an even layer of barbecue sauce over them. Cover tightly with more foil and roast for 2 hours.
10. 10Preheat broiler with top shelf 6 inches from broiler.
11. 11Uncover the ribs and broil with the meat-side up until browned and bubbly.
12. 12Cut the ribs between the bones and serve with more sauce.
13. 13--- Grill method: ---
14. 14Follow the recipe for the sauce and ribs up to wrapping the ribs in plastic wrap for 1 hour.
15. 15Preheat the grill with heat only on 1 side.
16. 16Remove the ribs from the plastic wrap and spread an even layer of the sauce over the ribs on the meat side. Wrap the ribs well in foil. Place the ribs on the side without the heat. Close the lid and cook for 1 hour.
17. 17After 1 hour remove from the foil and brush with more sauce. Cook directly over high heat until the ribs get a little char.