Memphis Style Dry Ribs (in the oven or on the grill)

Adjust the oven rack to the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 250°F. Stir together the sugar and all of the spices in a small bowl. Reserve ⅓ of the spice mixture in a separate bowl.

Place the ribs on a large baking tray, meat side down. Slide a knife just barely under the edge of the membrane at one end of the ribs and then use that loosened edge to pull the membrane off the ribs. (I find it easiest to grab the edge of the membrane with a paper towel and pull it off that way.)

Pat the ribs dry with a paper towel. Apply the rub generously to the front and back of the ribs (leaving the reserved amount for later use). Place the ribs meat side up on a large foil-lined baking sheet and cook for about 3 hours, until the ribs are tender.

Pour the vinegar and water into a shallow baking dish. Remove the cooked ribs from the oven and dip them into the vinegar water. Place the wet ribs onto a cutting board or a clean baking sheet and season immediately with a coating of the reserved dry rub. Cut the ribs apart between the bones.

Preheat the grill to 250°F. If using wood or charcoal, situate the coals on one side of the grill only, leaving the other side open for indirect cooking heat. Stir together the sugar and all of the spices in a small bowl. Reserve ⅓ of the sugar/spice mixture in a separate bowl.

Place the ribs on a large baking tray, meat side down. Slide a knife just barely under the edge of the membrane at one end of the ribs and then use that loosened edge to pull the membrane off the ribs. (I find it easiest to grab the edge of the membrane with a paper towel and pull it off that way.)

Pat the ribs dry with a paper towel. Apply the rub generously to the front and back of the ribs (leaving the reserved amount for later use). Place the ribs meat side up on the grill and cook with indirect heat, for 3 – 3½ hours, until the ribs are tender.

Pour the vinegar and water into a shallow baking dish. Remove the cooked ribs from the oven and dip them into the vinegar water. Place the wet ribs onto a cutting board or a clean baking sheet and season immediately with a coating of the reserved dry rub. Cut the ribs apart between the bones.