Grilled Ribs w/Fig BBQ Sauce

      Most BBQ aficionados will tell you it has to be hickory, oak, or mesquite...…..it has to be dry rub or wet...…..injected or brushed......sauce on top at the end or on the side.  Sometimes different is better.  Sometimes it's just different, but delicious.   I discovered this recipe a few years back and when I finally tried it I was amazed.  I like figs, but had no idea what it could do for grilling, let alone BBQ Sauce.  I discovered it looking for a recipe for Wild Boar Ribs, but have since tried it on both pork and beef ribs as well......MAGNIFIQUE!   Like many good grilled rib recipes you first start with good seasonings and then bake the ribs to about 80% completion. Finishing on a grill with a good sauce/glaze then becomes easier, tastier, and less likely to burn.  We made these over a simple campfire grill in JBER before our departure.  For this I used beef short ribs.  The sauce can be a little thin, just add more fig preserves and less chicken stock if you prefer thicker.  

Rib Seasoning
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp paprika
1 Tblspn chopped fresh thyme
1 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3 pounds of ribs (your choice)

Sauce
1 1/4 cups chicken stock
1 bay leaf
3/4 cup fig jam or preserves
3 Tblspn canned tomato sauce
2 Tblspn apple cider vinegar
1/4 to 1/2 tsp ground chipotle pepper

These are Wild Boar ribs, but pork or beef work well too

Fig Jam or Preserves

      Preheat oven to 275 degrees.  Mix the first 4 ingredients.  Adjust seasonings to taste.  Now, it's your choice; either grill them or bake them to start.  I prefer baking.  Place ribs in oven for 2 hours and keep an eye on them.

Finished baking

      Take out and place them on hot grill or firepit, liberally brushing them with Fig BBQ Sauce.  Turn often and re-brush when necessary.   It won't take long on the grill, about 10 minutes.

Sauced & Grilling

       Serve hot with beans or corn o' cob on the side.  No other BBQ sauce is needed.

Ready to go w/Bush's Southern Pit BBQ Beans

       We find these to be tender and so very delicious due to the sweetness of the figs; it really adds something to the sauce.  Short ribs can cook more quickly than large beef ribs or pork ribs.  Watch them.  

"If summer had one defining scent, it'd definitely be the smell of BBQ"

Katie Lee

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