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Dinosaur Bones with Chipotle-Cherry Barbecue Sauce

This high-protein dish features impressive beef short ribs, often called dinosaur bones due to their substantial size and thick, succulent meat. Smoked slowly over indirect heat, the beef develops a deep, savoury bark enhanced by a fragrant spice rub containing cinnamon and cardamom. These warming spices provide a sophisticated depth that perfectly complements the rich, fatty nature of the beef ribs.

To balance the intensity of the smoke, the ribs are finished with a vibrant chipotle-cherry barbecue sauce. The natural sweetness of the cherries cuts through the richness, while the chipotle adds a gentle, lingering heat. This recipe is an ideal choice for a weekend gathering or a summer garden party when you want to serve something truly spectacular that requires minimal active effort once the grill is set.

Continue reading below

Ingredients for Dinosaur Bones with Chipotle-Cherry Barbecue Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons paprika

  • 3 tablespoons golden brown sugar

  • 3 tablespoons coarse kosher salt

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons onion powder

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons ground black pepper

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

  • 3/4 teaspoons ground cardamom

  • 2 beef rib racks (6 to 3.6kg total

  • 8- to 10-inch-long rib bones)

  • 350ml cherry juice or apple cider

  • 1 11 3/4 x 8 1/2 x 1 1/4-inch disposable aluminum baking pan (to catch drips)

  • 475ml hardwood chips, soaked in water 1 hour

  • 4 6 x 3 3/4 x 2-inch disposable mini aluminum loaf pans (for wood chips,if using gas grill)

  • Chipotle-Cherry Barbecue Sauce

  • Spray bottle

Mix paprika, brown sugar, coarse salt, onion powder, black pepper, cinnamon, and cardamom in small bowl for spice rub. Arrange ribs on baking sheet. Sprinkle 3 tablespoons spice rub over each side of each rib rack. Let ribs marinate at room temperature while preparing grill. Fill spray bottle with cherry juice.

Remove top rack from barbecue. Place 1 aluminum pan in centre of lower grill rack for drip pan. Light briquettes in chimney; pour onto lower grill rack, arranging around drip pan. Drain wood chips; scatter over coals. Return grill rack to barbecue. (You may need to light additional charcoal in chimney to replenish coals in barbecue.)

Remove top rack from barbecue. Prepare barbecue (medium heat). If using 2-burner grill, light 1 burner. If using 3-burner grill, do not light centre burner. Drain wood chips. Stack 2 mini loaf pans (one inside the other); fill with 240ml wood chips. Stack remaining loaf pans; fill with 240ml wood chips. Place pans directly on flame (if using 3-burner grill, place both pans on 1 lit side). Place aluminum baking pan over unlit portion of grill. Return top rack to barbecue.

Place ribs on grill rack over drip pan (ribs may extend beyond pan). Cover grill and cook ribs 30 minutes. Uncover grill; rotate ribs for even cooking (do not turn over). Spray ribs with cherry juice. Cover and continue to grill ribs until browned, very tender, and meat begins to shrink away from ends of bones, spraying with cherry juice every 15 minutes, about 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes longer.

Brush ribs with Chipotle-Cherry Barbecue Sauce . Turn over; grill over direct heat until slightly charred, about 2 minutes. Transfer to work surface. Cut between bones. Serve with remaining sauce.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 28 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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