In the spirit of Juneteenth, we’re serving up a heap of some kind of wonderful! Our Sticky Strawberry Baby Back Ribs are inspired by traditional Korean sticky ribs but with a strawberry twist. This recipe is the best kind of foodie fusion! I’ll leave you thankful for lots of napkins! But, also grateful for our kith and kin who came before us. Because it is their freedom, which is our freedom, that today we celebrate!
Sticky Strawberry Baby Back Ribs
Juneteenth is my favorite holiday, and although it may not be an official holiday for folks outside of the black community, as far as I am concerned, it is signed, sealed, and delivered! Juneteenth is right up there with Memorial day because, unlike many American holidays, these two got their respective start born and bred in black communities across the United States of America.
What Is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is a holiday started by newly freed African-American slaves nearly two years after Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation into law on January 1, 1863, proclaiming, “that all persons held as slaves are, and henceforward shall be free.” Can you say jubilation? And this is why Juneteenth holds a special place in our heart of hearts.
Why Strawberries?
The inclusion of strawberries has more to do with the color red than strawberries. The importance of the color red symbolizes the ancestral blood of our enslaved matriarchs and patriarchs. Red is representative of our past, present, and future endurance and continued perseverance. At its core, the addition of red-colored foods and drinks of Juneteenth represents the struggle that the slaves endured. An interesting fact, it is said, when the slaves were freed, many celebrated by drinking red soda, an extravagance not experienced during slavery.
What You Will Need To Cook Our Sticky Strawberry Baby Back Ribs:
Baby Back Ribs. I love baby back ribs, and I especially love Sticky Strawberry Baby Back ribs because they’re easy to make. With the addition of the sticky sweet strawberry flavor, this is a one-Juneteenth recipe you won’t soon forget!
Balsamic Glaze. Onions. Rib Rub. Strawberry Simple Syrup. I brush my ribs with balsamic glaze because it does something wonderful to baby back ribs. I massage the rib rub onto the baby back ribs, then during the last thirty minutes of a three-hour of cooking, I brush on the strawberry simple syrup.
Strawberry Barbecue Sauce. If you haven’t had strawberry barbecue sauce, then you are in for a treat! Combine equal parts of your favorite barbecue sauce with an equal measure of strawberry preserves, and you are good to go!
What if I can’t find baby back ribs?
Baby back ribs are one of the most popular styles of pork ribs. But, depending on the time of year, you can find they are hard to buy or sell out fast. You are welcome to swap the baby back ribs with other cuts of pork ribs for this recipe. Just cook accordingly until your ribs are fully cooked through.
What temperature do baby back ribs need to be to be fully cooked?
USDA recommends that your pork reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees. When you are probing your meat to check the temperature, make sure to not touch the bone. If your gauge touches the bone it will give you a higher reading than what the meat is. Stick in a larger piece of meat, and hold it till the gauge quits rising.
Does pork need to rest before you slice?
Pork is best when you remove it from the grill or oven and place a tented foil over it. Allow the pork to rest for 10-15 minutes. This is going to allow all the juices in the meat lock-in, and not drizzle out when you slice up your ribs.
If you cut your pork right after being pulled off, it will dry out the meat. So always make no matter if it is a pork chop, tenderloin, or ribs, to let the meat rest.
Storing Leftovers
These strawberry ribs store really well. Simply allow the ribs to cool down a bit, then transfer to an airtight container. Place the ribs in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat as you would like and enjoy.
You can also freeze any ribs you don’t plan to eat right away. You can use a freezer bag, or even a vacuum sealer to lock in the meat. Freeze for up to 3-4 months. Thaw the ribs in the fridge the night before you plan to eat them. Then warm up in the microwave or the oven. If you choose to reheat in the oven, I recommend wrapping tightly in aluminum foil.
This will help prevent the ribs from drying out as they warm up in the oven.
Can I use frozen strawberries to replace fresh ones?
Go right ahead and reach for frozen strawberries to make the strawberry glaze. You do not have to allow the berries to thaw, just toss them in the pan frozen. It will take a bit longer to cook down, but you will get the same flavor.
Frozen strawberries are frozen at their prime, so they are bright red berries that are sweet and delicious. Just like store-bought, but they have a softer texture. Since you are making a sauce with them, it is okay they are frozen first.
Sticky Strawberry Baby Back Ribs
*Note- double the recipe for two slabs of ribs.
Ingredients:
- 1 rack of baby back ribs
- 3-4 tablespoons of balsamic glaze
- 2 large sweet or yellow onions, cut the onion into thin rings
Dry Rib Rub Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp flaky sea salt or Kosher salt
- 1 tsp freshly cracked black peppercorns
- 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil, and arrange the onions down the center of the foil.
- Combine the dry rib rub ingredients into a small bowl, and combine using a small whisk or a table fork.
- Rinse and pat dry a slab of baby back ribs. Brush the ribs with 3-4-tbsp of balsamic glaze, rub half of the rib rub on the bottom of the baby back ribs. Lay the seasoned side of the baby back ribs onto the sliced onions, rub the remaining rib rub onto the top of the ribs.
- Place the ribs into a 350° preheated oven onto the center rack, cook for 2 1/2-hours.
- After 2 1/2-hours, brush the ribs with the strawberry simple syrup mixture and continue to cook the ribs for the remaining 30-minutes.
- Remove the ribs from the oven and brush them using the strawberry barbecue sauce. and allow the ribs to rest for 15-minutes.
- Serve with strawberry barbecue sauce.
Strawberry Simple Syrup
Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, divided
- 1 cup raw or granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
Directions:
- Remove the green stem from the rinsed, pick over strawberries, cut half of the strawberries into quarters, cut the remaining strawberries into halve slices, and set aside.
- Add the quartered strawberries to a saucepan, sugar, and water over medium-high heat and heat unit. The mixture begins to come to a low boil; use a potato masher to break the strawberries apart. Continue to stir and cook the mixture for approximately ten minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat cover with a tight-fitting lid and allow the mixture to steep for fifteen minutes, then strain the strawberry simple syrup into a Mason-jar similar jar and screw on the lid. Set aside.
How to make Strawberry Barbecue Sauce
- 6-ounces bottle of hickory & brown sugar barbecue sauce1 jar of strawberry spread or strawberry preserves
- 6-ounces strawberry preserves
Directions:
- In a small bowl, combine the barbecue sauce and the strawberry preserves and stir to combine.
2021 Juneteenth Virtual Cookout
Join us in celebrating Juneteenth by checking out the list of contributors to the 2021 Juneteenth Virtual Cookout down below. 40+ black creators contributed to this collaborative menu as a Freedom Day tribute. Join in, share, and help us continue the legacy of celebrating progress. Additionally, you can easily follow each participant by using the hashtag #JuneteenthCookout2021 on Instagram.
Juneteenth 2021 Recipes To Try
Watermelon Ice Pops by A Girl Called Adri
Juneteenth Soul Rolls by Black Girls Who Brunch
Honey Buttermilk Biscuits with Roasted Strawberries by Britney Breaks Bread
Strawberry Collins by Brownbelle
Peach Cobbler Cinnamon Rolls by Butter Be Ready
Red Hot Pepper Shrimps by Chef and Steward
Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins by Chef Curl Ardee
Lemon Sour Cream Pound Cake by Chenée Today
Vegan Ranch Style Beans by Collards Are The Old Kale
Jamaican Jerk BBQ Ribs by Cooks with Soul
Sweet and Tangy Coleslaw by Crumb-Snatched
Strawberry-Basil Sorbet by D.M.R. Fine Foods
Red Velvet Layer Cake with Chocolate Covered Strawberries by Dash of Jazz
Red Velvet Cookies by Dish It With Tisha
Brisket Stuffed Baked Sweet Potatoes by Dude That Cookz
BBQ Baked Beans by Food Fidelity
Black Eyed Pea Salad by FoodLoveTog
Harissa Honey Roasted Vegetable Skewers by Geo’s Table
Gluten Free Peach Cobbler (Vegan) by Good Food Baddie
Crispy Gluten-free Baked BBQ Chicken Wings by Gristle and Gossip
Summer Watermelon Fizz by Handy Chef
Watermelon and Cucumber Salad by Heal Me Delicious
Smoky Party Style Jollof Rice by Immaculate Ruemu
Crab Boil & Garlic Butter Sauce by Jamieson Diaries
Tamarind BBQ Wings by Just Add Hot Sauce
Hibiscus Rum Punch by Kenneth Temple
Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream by Lenox Bakery
Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches by Mash & Spread
Grilled Hot Links & Chow Chow by Meiko And The Dish
Strawberry Lemonade Sangria by Nik Snacks
Brown Sugar Caramel No-Churn Ice Cream by Open Invitation Entertainment
Strawberry Basil Pineapple Mocktail by Orchids + Sweet Tea
Lemon Meringue Tart by Peaches 2 Peaches
Spicy Shrimp Creole by Pink Owl Kitchen
Strawberry Crunch Cake Brownies by Razzle Dazzle Life
Grilled Maque Choux Salad by Savor and Sage
Savannah Red Rice by Seasoned To Taste
Country Style Potato Salad by Sense & Edibility
Deviled Eggs by Slight Kitchen Werk
Rum Punch by Sweet & Sorrel
Mint Julep by Sweet Tea + Thyme
Almond Peach Cake by That Green Lyfe
Strawberry Cobbler Galette by The Dana Renée Way
Strawberry Baby Back Ribs by This Worthey Life
Find more recipes to try for Juneteenth below!
The Ultimate List of Juneteenth Recipes
Braised Smothered Pork + Black-Eyed Peas
Creamy Collard Greens with Bacon
Loaded Sweet Potato Herb Hummus
Ingredients
- *Note- double the recipe for two slabs of ribs.
- Ingredients:
- 1 rack of baby back ribs
- 3-4 tablespoons of balsamic glaze
- 2 large sweet or yellow onions cut the onion into thin rings
- Dry Rib Rub Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp flaky sea salt or Kosher salt
- 1 tsp freshly cracked black peppercorns
- 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil, and arrange the onions down the center of the foil.
- Combine the dry rib rub ingredients into a small bowl, and combine using a small whisk or a table fork.
- Rinse and pat dry a slab of baby back ribs. Brush the ribs with 3-4-tbsp of balsamic glaze, rub half of the rib rub on the bottom of the baby back ribs. Lay the seasoned side of the baby back ribs onto the sliced onions, rub the remaining rib rub onto the top of the ribs.
- Place the ribs into a 350° preheated oven onto the center rack, cook for 2 1/2-hours.
- After 2 1/2-hours, brush the ribs with the strawberry simple syrup mixture and continue to cook the ribs for the remaining 30-minutes.
- Remove the ribs from the oven and brush them using the strawberry barbecue sauce. and allow the ribs to rest for 15-minutes.
- Serve with strawberry barbecue sauce.
Notes
Strawberry Simple Syrup
Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, divided
- 1 cup raw or granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
Directions:
- Remove the green stem from the rinsed, pick over strawberries, cut half of the strawberries into quarters, cut the remaining strawberries into halve slices, and set aside.
- Add the quartered strawberries to a saucepan, sugar, and water over medium-high heat and heat unit. The mixture begins to come to a low boil; use a potato masher to break the strawberries apart. Continue to stir and cook the mixture for approximately ten minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat cover with a tight-fitting lid and allow the mixture to steep for fifteen minutes, then strain the strawberry simple syrup into a Mason-jar similar jar and screw on the lid. Set aside.
How to make Strawberry Barbecue Sauce
- 6-ounces bottle of hickory & brown sugar barbecue sauce1 jar of strawberry spread or strawberry preserves
- 6-ounces strawberry preserves
Directions:
- In a small bowl, combine the barbecue sauce and the strawberry preserves and stir to combine.
Crystal says
Where can i print this recipe?
T Worthey says
Hi Crystal, I just updated the post to add a printable version! Thanks!