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Labor Day Weekend will be here soon and I always consider this as my farewell to summer. I’m reminiscing about all the fun summer cookouts I’ve hosted.
I’ve decided to throw a party featuring Cherry-Apple Glazed Grilled Ribs. Even though we cook on the grill year round, there’s just something about Labor Day that calls for hosting a big bash.
My husband is the grill master at our house and he usually grills ribs on the charcoal grill. When I surprised him with a new gas grill to replace his old one, he decided to use the big boy to cook Cherry-Apple Glazed Grilled Ribs. Yes, he names his grills.
Eddie may be the grill master, but I’m the one who comes up with the recipes. As I was munching on my favorite cherries a few days ago, I thought, hmm, cherries are in peak season right now, I think I’ll make a Cherry-Apple glaze for the ribs. And let me tell you something, I hit the jackpot with this glaze. It’s sweet, tangy and has a touch of heat.
The first thing I do when planning my Goodbye Summer bash is head to Walmart. I pick up all the supplies and my favorite Smithfield Extra Tender Pork Back Ribs.
Of course, you don’t have to wait until you host a party to grill ribs. Smithfield Fresh Pork is perfect any night on the grill, whether a great weeknight meal or getting together to barbecue with family and friends.
Cherry-Apple Glazed Grilled Ribs
I always make a quick dry rub for the ribs about an hour before grilling. Sprinkle the rub on the ribs and wrap with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Remove the ribs and let rest on the kitchen counter for 30 minutes before grilling.
Meanwhile, make the cherry-apple glaze. You’ll need one cup pitted cherries. I use a plastic straw to remove the pits from the cherries.
Combine the pitted cherries, apple juice, sliced jalapeño pepper, brown sugar and barbecue sauce in a blender. Blend until well combined and liquefied.
Pour the mixture into a saucepan. Simmer on medium-low for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Set aside 1/2 cup to brush on the ribs and serve the remaining glaze with the ribs. Refrigerate any leftover glaze.
Low and Slow Grilled Ribs
Preheat the gas grill on high. Place ribs on the grill, bone side down, and turn to low. Cover and cook for about an hour. Check the ribs and cook for another 30 minutes. Brush the ribs with the cherry-apple glaze and cook for another 10 minutes.
Helpful Hint: Ribs are done at 190º F. when checked with an instant-read thermometer.
Cherry-Apple Glazed Grilled Ribs
Cherry-Apple Glazed Grilled Ribs are so tender and flavorful!
Ingredients
- 1 rack Pork Baby Back Ribs
Dry Rub
- 2 Tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon paprika
- 1/2 Tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion salt
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and Pepper
Cherry-Apple Glaze
- 1 cup pitted cherries
- 1/2 cup apple juice
- 1 small jalapeño pepper, sliced
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup prepared barbecue sauce
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the dry rub ingredients. An hour before grilling, sprinkle ribs with dry rub. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Remove from the refrigerator and let rest on kitchen counter for 20-30 minutes before grilling.
Cherry Apple Glaze
- Combine the pitted cherries, apple juice, pepper, brown sugar and barbecue sauce in a blender. Blend until well combined. Pour the glaze into a saucepan and let come to a boil over medium-high heat. Turn to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until slightly thickened.
- Preheat the grill on high. Place ribs on grill, bone side down, and set grill to low. Cover and cook for about an hour. Check the ribs and cook for another 30 minutes. Brush the ribs with the cherry-apple glaze and cook for another 10 minutes.
Nutrition Information
Yield
2-3Serving Size
1/2 rack of ribsAmount Per Serving Calories 716Total Fat 12gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 52mgSodium 2624mgCarbohydrates 138gFiber 5gSugar 119gProtein 18g
Check out more of my grilled rib recipes below! Click on the orange link to get the recipes.
Ginger and Sweet Tea Infused Grilled Ribs
Blackberry Glazed Grilled Ribs
19 comments
I have two pork loins in the freezer. It is one of our favorite meats to make on the grill. Will have to try your cherry version with cherries from our cherry tree.
I love anything cherry-flavored, so that looks delicious. Do you think this could work in a crockpot? I have one of those but no grill.
I love anything cherry-flavored, so that looks delicious. Do you think this could work in a crockpot? I have one of those but no grill. 🙁
I love Smithfields ribs. We get them all the time at Walmart and love smoking them on the grill. I must try your recipe. Love those flavor combos.
It is hard to believe Labor Day is around the corner but these Ribs will be the perfect meal anytime of the year and I think I will see if hubby would make them for us this weekend since I have Ribs in the Freezer or we can run to Walmarts and pick up the ones you purchased.
Oh yum, I’m going to have to try this. We just love grilling out over the summer. This cherry glaze sounds fantastic!
It is great to use the summer fruit in such a special way. I have never cooked ribs but it looks like your technique would be great for any lover of barbecue.
That is a very interesting glaze combination! I will have to give it a try for the next BBQ.
I have never heard of cherry glaze but omg this looks amazing! I want to try this recipe.
I never would have thought about this type of glaze. It looks wonderful! I can’t wait to try it.
These are the only kind of ribs I buy. They’re worth the trip to the grocery store. Your glaze sounds scrumptious, I’ll have to try it this weekend when we grill out.
Are we already thinking about September? Oh my goodness! I do have a hankering for some ribs though, Smithfield does produce some good ribs. We’ve bought them before. Your glaze sounds perfect!
This recipe looks delicious. I’ve never tried making a homemade glaze before. This looks super easy to make. I know my family would love it.
Sounds like an awesome recipe to try this summer! I am curious about the flavors that cherries and apples are going to add to the ribs! I’m sure it’s tasty!
Oh wow! This looks incredible for a summer BBQ. I’m going to take advantage of this recipe and enjoy it eating out on the backyard patio.
My mom and son both loves ribs, so I’ll have to share this recipe with her. I will look for Smithfield ribs! I’m kind of sad that we didn’t even open up the grill this summer yet. I want to break it out at least once, I like roasting marshmallows on it!
That would be so delicious! I wish I am more inventive with sauces. I bet it gives it a very nice flavor.
I think this sounds amazing! We’ve had the best cherries this year! I don’t know why they are so good, but I can’t get enough of them.
Ok, those ribs looks amazing but that cherry apple glaze just sounds absolutely fabulous. I’m so gonna try that! Thanks for the inspiration!