Sweet and Spicy Cherry-Glazed Pork Ribs
Transport your taste buds to BBQ heaven with these Sweet and Spicy Cherry-Glazed Pork Ribs. This delightful dish features tender pork spareribs marinated in a homemade cherry cola reduction, creating a unique blend of sweet and savory flavors. The sauce, infused with cherry jam, dijon mustard, and a hint of heat from hot sauce, coats the ribs beautifully, making every bite a juicy explosion of taste. Perfect for family gatherings or summer cookouts, these ribs can be finished on the grill for a smoky char or completed in the oven for a cozy night in. Prep time does not include the 4 hours required to let the cherry cola go flat, but the delicious results are worth the wait!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cherry cola
4 cans (12 ounces each) (Let it go flat for about 4 hours.)
Cherry jam or preserves
2 cups (None)
Dijon horseradish mustard
2/3 cup (None)
Soy sauce
3 tablespoons (None)
Cider vinegar
2 tablespoons (None)
Hot sauce
1 tablespoon (None)
Pork spareribs
8 lbs (Trim excess fat and season with salt and pepper.)
Instructions
1
Pour the cherry cola into a large pot and let it sit for about 4 hours or until it is no longer fizzy.
2
Once flat, simmer the cherry cola in the pot over medium heat until reduced to approximately 1-1/2 cups, which should take about 45 minutes.
3
Add the cherry jam, dijon horseradish mustard, soy sauce, cider vinegar, and hot sauce to the pot. Stir well and continue simmering until the mixture reduces to about 2-1/2 cups.
4
Transfer the sauce to a large bowl, cover it, and refrigerate. (You can prepare this step up to 1 week in advance.)
5
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and adjust the oven racks to the upper and lower thirds.
6
Generously season the pork spareribs with salt and pepper.
7
Wrap each rack of ribs tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil, ensuring that they are sealed well to keep in moisture.
8
Place each wrapped rack on a rimmed baking sheet and arrange the sheets on the racks in the oven.
9
Bake for about 2 hours, switching the racks midway to ensure even cooking. The ribs are done when tender.
10
Remove the ribs from the oven and let them cool slightly. Drain the drippings from the foil and wrap the ribs back up in foil. Refrigerate if not using immediately. (This can be done 1 day in advance; just remove from the refrigerator about 1 hour before grilling.)
11
Reserve 1 cup of the glaze from the bowl. Cut the racks into individual ribs and place them back into the remaining glaze, tossing to coat evenly. (It may be easier to use a BBQ brush to paint the glaze onto the ribs.)
12
Preheat your charcoal grill to medium heat. Grill the coated ribs for about 5-10 minutes, turning often to prevent burning and allowing the sugars to caramelize.
13
Serve the ribs hot, passing the reserved glaze for dipping or drizzling.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Sweet and Spicy Cherry-Glazed Pork Ribs?
These are tender pork spareribs flavored with a unique homemade cherry cola reduction and a savory-sweet glaze featuring cherry jam and dijon mustard.
How many cans of cherry cola are needed for the glaze?
You will need 4 cans of cherry cola, each 12 ounces.
How long does the cherry cola need to sit to go flat?
The cherry cola should sit for about 4 hours until it is no longer fizzy.
What is the first step in making the glaze?
The first step is simmering the flat cherry cola over medium heat until it reduces to approximately 1-1/2 cups.
What ingredients are added to the reduced cherry cola?
You add cherry jam, dijon horseradish mustard, soy sauce, cider vinegar, and hot sauce.
Can I prepare the glaze in advance?
Yes, the sauce can be prepared up to 1 week in advance and kept refrigerated.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
How should the pork spareribs be seasoned?
The ribs should be generously seasoned with salt and pepper.
Why are the ribs wrapped in heavy-duty aluminum foil?
They are wrapped tightly to seal in moisture while they bake in the oven.
How long do the ribs bake in the oven?
The ribs bake for approximately 2 hours.
Do I need to adjust the ribs while they are in the oven?
Yes, you should switch the racks midway through the baking time to ensure even cooking.
How do I know when the ribs are finished baking?
The ribs are done baking when they are tender.
What should I do with the drippings after baking?
You should drain the drippings from the foil once the ribs have cooled slightly.
Can the ribs be baked ahead of time?
Yes, the ribs can be baked 1 day in advance; refrigerate them and remove them 1 hour before grilling.
How much glaze should be reserved for serving?
Reserve 1 cup of the glaze to pass for dipping or drizzling later.
How should the ribs be prepared for grilling?
Cut the racks into individual ribs and toss them in the remaining glaze to coat evenly.
What is the best way to apply the glaze to the ribs?
You can toss them in a bowl with the glaze or use a BBQ brush to paint the glaze onto each rib.
What type of grill is recommended?
A charcoal grill preheated to medium heat is recommended for the best flavor.
How long should the ribs be grilled?
Grill the ribs for about 5-10 minutes.
How often should I turn the ribs on the grill?
Turn the ribs often to prevent burning and to allow the sugars in the glaze to caramelize.
What type of mustard is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2/3 cup of dijon horseradish mustard.
What kind of jam is best for the glaze?
You can use either cherry jam or cherry preserves.
How much pork spareribs does this recipe require?
The recipe requires 8 lbs of pork spareribs.
Is there a specific preparation needed for the ribs?
You should trim any excess fat from the pork spareribs before seasoning.
What provides the 'spicy' element in the glaze?
The spicy kick comes from the combination of dijon horseradish mustard and hot sauce.
What gives the glaze its tanginess?
The tanginess comes from the addition of cider vinegar and soy sauce.
What is the final volume of the glaze after the second reduction?
The mixture should reduce to about 2-1/2 cups of sauce.
Are these ribs suitable for summer events?
Yes, they are described as perfect for family gatherings or summer cookouts.
Should the ribs be served hot?
Yes, serve the ribs hot immediately after grilling.
Can these ribs be cooked entirely in the oven?
Yes, the recipe notes they can be completed in the oven for a cozy night in if a grill is not available.