“These ribs just might be the best thing I’ve ever come up with,” said food editor Ian Knauer proudly. It’s no idle boast. Their success lies in a straightforward three-part process. Long marinating in a sweet, garlicky rub ensures the ribs soak up loads of flavor. Next, a leisurely roast in the oven makes them fall-off-the-bone tender. Finally, a mop of balsamic-brown-sugar glaze and a few minutes on the grill gives the ribs a whiff of smokiness and caramelizes their edges. View more of our favorite recipes from this issue.
For ribs
8large garlic cloves
2tablespoonsfinely chopped rosemary
2tablespoonspacked dark brown sugar
2tablespoonsbalsamic vinegar
1teaspooncayenne
8lbbaby back pork ribs (8 racks; see cooks’ note, below)
1cupwater
For glaze
2cupshot water
1cupbalsamic vinegar
1/2cuppacked dark brown sugar
Equipment:
2 large roasting pans
Marinate and roast ribs:
Mince and mash garlic to a paste with 1 tsp salt. Stir together with rosemary, brown sugar, vinegar, cayenne, 1 Tbsp salt, and 1 tsp pepper. Rub evenly all over ribs and transfer to roasting pans. Marinate, chilled, 8 to 24 hours.
Preheat oven to 425°F with racks in upper and lower thirds.
Pour 1/2 cup water into each roasting pan and tightly cover pans with foil. Roast ribs, switching position of pans halfway through, until meat is very tender, about 1 3/4 hours. Remove pans from oven and transfer ribs to a platter.
Make glaze and grill ribs:
Add 1 cup hot water to each roasting pan and scrape up brown bits. Skim off and discard fat, then transfer liquid to a 10-inch skillet. Add vinegar and brown sugar and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Boil until reduced to about 1 cup, about 15 minutes.
Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium heat for gas); see “Grilling Procedure.”
Brush some of glaze onto both sides of racks of ribs. Grill, turning occasionally, until ribs are hot and grill marks appear, about 6 minutes.
Brush ribs with more glaze and serve remaining glaze on the side.
Cooks’ notes:
If you can only get larger ribs (4 racks), you will need more glaze; use 12 large garlic cloves, 3 tablespoons finely chopped rosemary, 3 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar, 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne, 1 1/2 tablespoons salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper.
Ribs can be roasted and glaze can be made 1 day ahead and chilled separately (covered once cool). Bring to room temperature, about 30 minutes, before glazing and grilling.
Ribs can be broiled 3 to 4 inches from heat (instead of grilled) about 8 minutes.
