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cider glazed ancho chili ribs

Cider-Glazed Ancho Chili-Rubbed Ribs

With a combination of sweet and spicy, these cider-glazed ancho chili ribs are the perfect fall weekend food.
4.47 from 13 votes
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours 26 minutes
Author: Beth Lipton

Ingredients

For the spice rub:

  • 1 tablespoon ancho chile powder
  • 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder

For the ribs:

  • 1 package baby back ribs about 2.5 pounds, defrosted, pat dry
  • Fine sea salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

For the glaze:

  • 1 cup apple cider
  • 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 275ºF; lightly oil a large baking sheet.

Make the spice rub:

  • Combine all the rub ingredients in a bowl. Set aside 2 teaspoons. Season the ribs all over generously with salt and pepper, then rub with the remaining spice rub.
  • Place the ribs on the baking sheet. Cover with foil and bake until cooked through and the meat starts to fall from the bones, 2 ½ to 3 hours.

Make the glaze:

  • Whisk together the cider, sugar, maple syrup, vinegar, reserved spice rub and ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture has thickened and reduced by half, 15 to 20 minutes. Pour into a bowl.
  • Remove the ribs from the oven; carefully uncover (watch out for steam). Place a rack a few inches from the heat source and preheat the broiler to high. Carefully brush the ribs all over with the glaze. Broil, turning once or twice with tongs, until the sauce begins to caramelize, 2 to 3 minutes (watch carefully to prevent burning). Let rest for 5 minutes. Cut in-between the bones, brush the meat with some of the glaze that fell onto the sheet pan, and serve.
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