Summertime kick-off- start the BBQ ribs

Memorial Day is OFFICIALLY the kick-off to summer in our house, so here we are- fire up the BBQ.  When it comes to a classic summer meal, nothing beats a plate of succulent BBQ ribs paired with a bold red wine. Our boxed red is the perfect pairing with its rich and fruity notes, making it an ideal companion for these sticky, finger-licking-good ribs. Here’s a foolproof recipe for the best BBQ ribs and how to pair them perfectly with our red, and we suggest going for the box- it's 4 bottles in 1!

The Best BBQ Ribs Recipe

Ingredients: For the Ribs:

• 2 racks of baby back ribs (about 4 lbs)
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Dry Rub:

• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp mustard powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

BBQ Sauce:

• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp molasses
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Ribs:

1. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
2. Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs and pat dry with paper towels.
3. Rub olive oil over the ribs to help the spices adhere.

2. Make the Dry Rub:

1. In a small bowl, combine all the dry rub ingredients.
2. Rub the spice mixture generously over both sides of the ribs.

3. Bake the Ribs:

1. Wrap each rack of ribs in aluminum foil and place them on a baking sheet.
2. Bake for 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the meat is tender and pulls away easily from the bone.

4. Make the BBQ Sauce:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, molasses, Dijon mustard, garlic, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
2. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Adjust seasoning to taste and set aside.

5. Grill the Ribs:

1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
2. Remove the ribs from the oven and carefully unwrap them from the foil.
3. Brush both sides of the ribs with BBQ sauce.
4. Grill the ribs for 5-7 minutes per side, basting with more BBQ sauce, until caramelized and slightly charred.

6. Serve:

1. Slice the ribs into individual portions and serve with extra BBQ sauce on the side.
2. Pair with Nomadica’s Red Wine in a Box and your favorite sides, such as coleslaw or cornbread.

Why pair it with red wine? Truthfully, because it's DELISH, but the bright acidity of the wine cuts through the richness of the ribs, and the fruity flavors of Nomadica red balance the tangy BBQ sauce super well. Also, with light notes of pepper in our red, it mirrors the smoked paprika and cayenne pepper in the dry rub, which makes these two a match made in food and wine pairing heaven. Serve alongside some grilled veggies and viola- you have a perfect start of summer meal!