Skip to main content

Brueck's Backyard Baby Back Ribs

These are just awesome. Check this out.
Level: Easy
Total: 18 hr 40 min
Prep: 30 min
Inactive: 16 hr
Cook: 2 hr 10 min
Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients
  • 2 full racks/slabs (about 4 1/2 pounds) baby back pork ribs
  • Kosher salt
  • 6 tablespoons Rub Number Nine, recipe follows
  • 1/2 cup orange juice (not fresh squeezed)
  • 1/2 cup margarita mix
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon espresso powder or instant coffee powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Rub Number Nine:
  • 1 1/4 cups dark brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup chili powder
  • 1/4 cup garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons ground thyme
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon allspice

Directions
  1. Place each rib rack on a sheet of extra-wide, heavy-duty aluminum foil. (The foil should be 4 inches longer than the ribs on either end.) Season racks liberally with kosher salt and sprinkle each rack with 3 tablespoons of the rub. Turn the ribs, meat side down, and tightly seal each foil pouch. Place on a half sheet pan and refrigerate overnight.
  2. The next day, heat the oven to 250 degrees F.
  3. Combine the orange juice and margarita mix in a liquid measuring cup. Open 1 end of each pouch and evenly divide the liquid between the 2 pouches. Reseal the pouches and place the sheet pan in the oven for 2 hours. Remove the ribs from the oven, carefully open 1 end of each pouch and pour the braising liquid into a heatproof measuring cup. Reseal the pouches and place them and the measuring cup of liquid into the refrigerator for up to 8 hours.
  4. The fat in the braising liquid will have solidified on the top and can be removed at this time. Transfer the liquid to a small saucepan and add the honey, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, espresso powder and cayenne pepper. Whisk to combine. Set over medium high heat and reduce to a glaze, approximately 10 minutes.
  5. Set a gas grill to medium-high and allow to heat for 10 minutes. Cut each slab in half and place them on the grill, flesh side down, close the lid and decrease the heat to medium. Leave alone for 3 minutes. Flip and cook for another 3 minutes. Flip and cook for 3 minutes on each side 1 more time or until each rib has a nice char. Remove the ribs from the grill to a cutting board. and cut into 2 rib portions, using kitchen shears. Add the ribs and half the glaze to a large serving bowl and toss to thoroughly coat. Serve the remaining glaze on the side.

Rub Number Nine:
  1. Place all of the ingredients in an airtight container and shake to combine. Store for up to 3 months.
  2. Yield: about 2 1/2 cups

Brueck's Most Popular Recipes

Brueck's Authentic German Potato Salad

The most popular salad at the table? Hot German potato salad with smoky bacon and a sweet-tangy dressing. Prep: 30 min. + cooling Cook: 20 min. Yield 8 servings Ingredients 3 pounds medium red potatoes 5 bacon strips, diced 1 medium onion, chopped 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons salt 1/4 teaspoon celery seed 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1-1/4 cups sugar 1 cup cider vinegar 3/4 cup water 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley Directions Place potatoes in a Dutch oven; cover with water.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes or until tender.  Drain and cool. In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp; using a slotted spoon, remove to paper towels.  Drain, reserving 4 tablespoons drippings in pan.  Add onion, saute until tender. Stir in the flour, salt, celery seed and pepper until blended.  Gradually add the sugar, vinegar and water.  Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thicken...

Brueck's Taco Burger

Quick, easy and tasty burgers with all of the flavours of taco night tacos. Prep Time: 10 minutes  Cook Time: 10 minutes  Total Time: 20 minutes  Servings: 4 Ingredients 1 1/4 pounds ground beef 2 tablespoons taco seasoning (or one packet) 4 slices cheddar cheese 4 buns 4 leaves lettuce 1 large tomato, sliced 1/2 cup guacamole 1/2 cup salsa Directions Mix the taco seasoning into the ground beef. Form into 4 patties 3/4 inches thick and press your thumb into the middle to form a depression on top prevent bulging. Grill over medium-high heat until cooked through, about 3-5 minutes per side. Top with cheese and let it melt before removing from the grill. Assemble the burgers and enjoy! Option: Use your favourite taco filling in the burger! Option: You can either grill, pan fry or broil the burgers!

Brueck's Pineapple BBQ Chicken Meatballs

The ultimate quick and easy appetizer that doubles as a hearty, Whole30-friendly weeknight meal when served over spaghetti squash or cauliflower rice. Ingredients For the Meatballs: 1 lb. ground chicken (may substitute ground turkey or ground pork) 1/4 cup almond flour 1 tsp. garlic powder 1 tsp. onion powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. black pepper 2 tsp. dried parsley (may substitute 1½ Tbsp. fresh parsley) For the Sauce: 1 8-ounce can crushed pineapple 1 bottle (8.5 ounces) Primal Kitchen Classic BBQ Sauce (may substitute 1 cup BBQ sauce of choice) 3/4 cup chicken or turkey broth (Homemade or store-bought) Optional Garnish: Sliced green onions and or chopped parsley Instructions For the Sauce: In a large skillet, combine crushed pineapple (and its juice), BBQ sauce and broth.  Bring to a vigorous simmer, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat slightly and allow to simmer while you make the meatballs. For the Meatballs: Preheat oven to 350℉.  Line a large rimmed baking sheet with ...

Brueck's Chicago-Style Hot Dog

Whether you're a purist, a historian or just really hungry, my Chicago hot dogs recipe is a home run. Prep: 20 min.  Cook: 5 min. Ingredients 4 Chicago-style beef hot dogs 4 poppy seed hot dog buns, split 4 tablespoons yellow mustard 4 tablespoons sweet pickle relish 1/2 cup finely chopped white onion 1 large beefsteak tomato, cut into thick slices or wedges 4 dill pickle spears 12 pickled sport peppers Dash celery salt Directions Place hot dogs in a large saucepan; cover with water.  Bring to a boil; reduce heat to a simmer.  Cook 4-6 minutes or until hot dogs start to split. Meanwhile, place buns on a microwave-safe plate.  Cover with a wet paper towel; microwave 30-60 seconds.  Place cooked hot dogs inside the steamed buns.  Top each with mustard, relish, onion, tomato, pickles, sport peppers and a dash of celery salt.  Serve immediately.

Brueck's Mini Spicy Crab Cakes with Lemon Aioli

Make these. Just make them. They're fast and easy. Ingredients Lemon Aioli 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon soy sauce 1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic Crab Cakes 1 lb refrigerated pasteurized lump crabmeat, cleaned 1 cup Progresso™ plain panko crispy bread crumbs 1/4 cup mayonnaise 2 green onions, thinly sliced, whites and greens separated 5 teaspoons chile garlic sauce 2 eggs, beaten 2 tablespoons olive oil Instructions In small bowl, mix Lemon Aioli ingredients. Cover and refrigerate until serving. In large bowl, mix crabmeat, bread crumbs, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, the green onion whites, chile garlic sauce and eggs.  Using a heaping tablespoon of mixture for each, shape into 24 (1 1/2-inch) patties, about 3/4 inch thick.  Cover and refrigerate at least 10 minutes but no longer than 4 hours. In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat until hot.  Add patties; cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and thoroughly cooked (...

Brueck's Beer Bread

Come on....it's beer bread. It's easy. No yeast required. Just mix the ingredients and bake. Cook Time: 45 minutes  Total Time: 1 hour  Yield: 1 loaf Grab a medium bowl.  Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and thyme.  Stir until no lumps remain. (Hard-learned tip: Measure flour by spooning it into the cup—don't scoop!) Pour in the beer.  Stir just until combined—overmixing makes tough bread. The batter will be thick. *Fun fact: The beer's bubbles give the bread lift.* Grease an 8×4-inch loaf pan.  Scrape the batter into it.  Smooth the top with a spatula. Step 4 Bake at 375°F for 40–45 minutes.  It's done when golden and crusty.  Let it cool 5 minutes before slicing. 3 Tasty Twists on Beer Bread Cheesy JalapeƱo:: Fold in 1/2 cup shredded pepper jack and 2 diced jalapeƱos. Top with extra cheese. Rosemary Garlic:: Swap thyme for 1 tbsp fresh rosemary. Add 2 minced garlic cloves. Everything Bagel:: Skip the herbs. Use 2 tbsp Everything Bagel...

Brueck's Baked Crab Dip

Baked crab dip is one of life's great appetizers. Serve it in a bread bowl for the ultimate presentation or leave it in a baking dish — it's so good, it will disappear quickly either way. Prep: 15 min.  Bake: 45 min. Yield: 5 cups Ingredients 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened 2 cups sour cream 2 cans (6 ounces each) crabmeat, drained, flaked and cartilage removed or 2 cups flaked imitation crabmeat 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 4 green onions, thinly sliced 2 round loaves (1 pound each) unsliced sourdough or Italian bread Additional sliced green onions, optional Assorted fresh vegetables, crackers and/or toasted bread cubes Directions In a bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.  Add sour cream; mix well.  Fold in crab, cheese and onions.  Cut the top third off each loaf of bread; carefully hollow out bottoms, leaving 1-in. shells.  Cube removed bread and tops; set aside.  Spoon crab mixture into bread bowls.  Place on baking sheets.  Pla...

Brueck's Teriyaki Pineapple Drumsticks

Just make this. It's awesome. Enough said. Yield: 12 servings Prep: 35 min Cook: 1 hour 30 min Ingredients 1 tablespoon garlic salt 1 tablespoon minced chives 1-1/2 teaspoons paprika 1-1/2 teaspoons pepper 1/2 teaspoon salt 24 chicken drumsticks 1/2 cup canola oil 1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple 1/2 cup water 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce 1/4 cup yellow mustard 4 teaspoons cornstarch 2 tablespoons cold water Directions Preheat oven to 350°.  Mix the first 5 ingredients; sprinkle over chicken.  In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat.  Brown drumsticks in batches.  Transfer to a roasting pan. Meanwhile, combine pineapple, 1/2 cup water, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce and mustard; pour over chicken.  Cover; bake until tender, 1-1/2 to 2 hours, uncovering during the last 20-30 minutes of baking to let skin crisp. Remove drumsticks to a platter; keep warm.  Transfer cooking juices to a small saucepan; skim off fat....

Brueck's Bread Bomb

My bread bomb is essentially stuffed pizza dough. It falls into the stromboli, calzone, or panzarotti category because it uses pizza dough and similar toppings to pizza (which can be anything, right?), but the toppings become fillings when the dough is wrapped around them. It's most similar to stromboli because it's rolled up like a pinwheel. BREAD INGREDIENTS: 1/2 pound chopped bacon 1 cup chopped onion 1 pound lean ground beef 1 tbsp steak seasoning 1 (13.8 ounce) pizza dough (you can also use Pillsbury pizza dough in the roll) 1 ½ cups grated cheddar jack cheese 1 cup grated cheddar cheese BREAD INSTRUCTIONS: Preheat the oven to 425°.  In a large skillet over medium-low heat cook bacon until crisp.  Remove the bacon from the pan, set aside and drain most of the grease.  In the same skillet on medium high heat, add the onions and ground beef and cook until onions are soft and the meat is cooked through.  Drain excess grease from the pan.  Over medium low heat,...

Brueck's Patty Melt (aka The Bratty)

The bread is crispy & buttery. Inside: juicy beef and sweet onions mingled. The SECRET is in the ONIONS. It is all about those layers. Cook Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 45 minutes Yield: 4-6 servings Start by cooking your onions.  Slice them thin and add them to a hot pan.  Toss them with all those tasty seasonings.  Let them get soft and golden brown. Now, shape your ground beef into thin patties.  Make them about the size of your hand.  Cook them in a hot cast iron pan.  Give each side a nice char for great flavor. Layer cheese, a patty, and onions on rye bread.  Top it with another slice of bread. (A hard-learned tip: Let the cheese melt on the warm patty first. This keeps everything together nicely). Butter the outside of your sandwich.  Grill it in the pan until it is golden.  Flip it carefully to toast the other side.  You will hear that satisfying sizzle.