What to Put on Ribs Besides BBQ Sauce This Summer

What to Put on Ribs Besides BBQ Sauce

When summers are in full force, weekend barbeques are a must. But let’s be honest, eating the same type of BBQ ribs every weekend can get boring. So how can you spice things up a bit? It’s easy, by using something other than barbeque sauce on your ribs. But how do you know what to put on ribs besides bbq sauce?

You can use a sweet and tart Teriyaki sauce or a sticky and spicy plum sauce. And if you’re not looking to glaze your ribs, maybe use something like a chimichurri or mayo dip. All of these work great in place of BBQ sauce. 

Keep reading to find out more of the best ribs sauce other than BBQ and how you can make perfect ribs yourself. 

What to Put on Ribs Besides BBQ Sauce? 

Use one of the following sauces as a glaze or dip the next time you prepare BBQ ribs without BBQ sauce. 

Seafood Sauce

We know what you’re thinking. Do seafood and ribs even go together?

Yes, they do.

Think of surf and turf, and you’ll have your answer. This is why you can even use seafood sauce as an excellent alternative to BBQ sauce for ribs.

Here’s what you will need to prepare it:

  • Black beans
  • Vinegar
  • Chili
  • Five-spice powder

All you have to do is mix all these ingredients. Put in a little water if the concoction becomes too dry. Otherwise, you’re good to go. Use it to marinate your ribs or as a finishing glaze when they’re freshly smoked. 

Teriyaki Sauce

We all know how delicious chicken teriyaki is. So why not try this one-of-a-kind sauce over your perfectly smoked ribs? Here’s what you’ll require to prepare it:

  • Soy Sauce
  • Mirin
  • Sugar
  • Roasted Sesame Seeds

Mix all the ingredients together and heat them in a pan on medium to low heat until the sauce thickens up. Once it’s thickened to work as a glaze, sprinkle some roasted sesame seeds to enhance the flavor and you’re ready for dipping. 

Chimichurri Sauce

Looking for a fresh and zesty kick to your ribs? Chimichurri will do it for you. This sauce is the perfect summery mix of herbs and spices to add bouts of flavor to your smoked ribs. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:

  • Cilantro
  • Parsley
  • Red chili flakes
  • Garlic
  • Some ginger
  • Red wine vinegar

Cut all the ingredients above roughly and put them in a blender with some salt. Blend coarse and add a dash of olive oil when you’re done. It’s literally that simple.

Mustard Sauce

This one’s probably the easiest sauce recipe to put on your ribs. All you need is some Dijon mustard.

You can rub it over your ribs as is or add some sugar or honey to it to cut down the spiciness of the mustard. You can even add some lemon to make it tarter. 

Peanut Sauce

Peanuts aren’t exactly hand in glove with ribs. But they can be pretty delicious as a pairing if used in a sauce. Here’s what you’ll require to prepare a stunning peanut or satay sauce:

  • Peanuts
  • Honey
  • Ginger
  • Garlic
  • Some chopped lemongrass

Grind your peanuts in a blender until they’re semi-smooth. Then, add a small dash of honey and briefly blend again. 

Get the mixture out of the blender and add garlic, ginger, and lemongrass. Whisk it well and use it either as a dipping sauce or a finishing glaze over your BBQ ribs. 

What Can I Put on My Ribs Besides a Sauce?

Don’t want to eat sticky and saucy ribs? No problem. Quickly whip up a dry rub for your ribs, and you’ll be good to go.

What to Put on Ribs Besides BBQ Sauce
Try using a really delicious dry rub if you aren’t a fan of BBQ Sauce

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Onion Powder
  • Garlic Powder
  • Paprika
  • Turmeric (optional)
  • Black Pepper (ground)
  • Salt
  • Cayenne Pepper
  • Celery

Mix all the ingredients. Then, coat your ribs thoroughly with the prepared mixture and throw them on the grill. Remember, you should always use a dry rub before putting your ribs on the smoker, not after. We don’t give you quantities for each item, because the fun of becoming a rib smoker is by experimenting with more or less of each ingredient. 

How to Make the Perfect BBQ Sauce For Ribs?

Now that you have a few alternatives to go for, you should also know how you can make a perfect BBQ sauce for your ribs because alternatives won’t always work!

Here are the main ingredients you’ll need:

  • 1-2 cups of brown sugar
  • 1-2 cups of ketchup
  • 2-3 teaspoon paprika or red chili powder
  • A splash of Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Water
  • Red wine vinegar
  • 2-3 tsp honey
  • 1 tsp minced garlic 
  • Half a teaspoon of dried ginger

Put all the ingredients together in a blender. Blend until smooth but not watery. And that’s it; you have a delicious BBQ sauce ready to go on your ribs as you put them on the grill. 

Remember to follow the 3-2-1 method while cooking your ribs on a smoker. Put the sauce on only in the last hour of the cooking process. Moreover, once you’ve added the sauce, do not turn up the heat a lot or leave your ribs on the grill for long, or you may end up with over smoked ribs. 

Can You Eat Ribs Without Barbeque Sauce?

Of course, you can! BBQ sauce does enhance the flavor of smoked ribs. But there are plenty of alternatives (including the ones we’ve listed above) that you can use on ribs. Moreover, you can always prepare a fantastic dry rub for your ribs instead of drenching them in a sauce. 

What Are Some Healthy Sides to Serve Along With Ribs?

If we’re being honest, healthy and a rib meal don’t tend to go hand in hand. But you could easily pair your ribs with a side of a healthy quinoa salad, perhaps a coleslaw or any vegetable platter will do. But let’s be honest, it’s hard to not include some mac and cheese, cornbread, or beans along with your ribs. 

 

How Do You Make Baby Back Ribs Without BBQ Sauce?

Once you’re at the last stage of smoking your ribs, you can use a sauce like a teriyaki, Asian seafood sauce, plum sauce, or any other alternative you like to glaze them over. If you don’t want to, you can serve these sauces on the side or rub them on the ribs once they’re off the grill. 

How Do You Make Dipping Sauce for Ribs?

Mix items like mustard, jalapeno, vinegar, salt, and some honey to make a quick dipping sauce for your ribs. Another good option is to use a chimichurri sauce for dipping. You can also check out some other dipping sauce recipes and choose one that fits your tastes perfectly. 

Is it Better to Boil Ribs Before Cooking?

Boiling ribs isn’t a sin, but it’s better not to do that. Since boiling cooks ribs partially, you have to be careful when you’re smoking them to prevent overcooking. So if you’re a newbie to grilling, don’t boil your ribs. 

Now that you know what to put on ribs besides BBQ sauce, all you have to do is put your chef’s hat on and get into the kitchen to prepare your delicious sauces or rubs. Remember to adjust the recipe according to the number of people you’re cooking for and your personal preferences. Once you lock in a recipe that you love, be sure to record those steps and quantities in a recipe-sharing app like Morsel and share them with your close family members. 

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