How to Make a Rotisserie Pork Rib Roast in your Backyard

Thanksgiving Dinner was a huge success because I used my ElectriChef Rotisserie, so I thought “what other show stopping rotisserie recipes could help the holidays be stress free and delicious?” I decided it might be nice to create a series of three rotisserie recipes: the first Turkey/Cornish Hens, second Pork Rib Roast/Rack of Pork and the third Prime Rib.

Many people enjoy pork chops or pork tenderloin throughout the year because these cuts of pork are easily found at the local grocery meat department. The rib area of the pig is called a pork rib roast. It will sometimes appear in the meat section during the holiday season or you can easily order one from the butcher, in advance. The rib roast has 3-8 ribs, depending on its size and a typical 4 rib roast will weigh about 3 pounds, serving 8 persons a generous portion of pork.

Campaigns from the Pork Council
This just in…

There has been a huge campaign on behalf of the pork council to help educate consumers about the benefits of pork. Several studies have been done regarding the nutritional value of pork in a person’s diet. Pork is both a good source of protein and also provides several important vitamins and minerals. The positive changes made in raising pigs over the past two decades have allowed pork to become a lean, nutrient-rich protein home cooks can easily incorporate into their healthy diet.

A Tasty Family Dish
That smells like it too

The Rib Roast is a versatile holiday dinner show stopper; I suggest you use a dry rub that will incorporate your family's’ ethnic background (flavors which remind you of your childhood). While the Pork Roast is on the rotisserie, your family will smell the aroma of familiar flavors and bring back memories from Holidays past.

My Italian background influenced my dry rub recipe below; this holiday season, join me in a stress free Holiday Dinner. You will see in my recipe below the prep and cooking time is very easy, the presentation is impressive and the cut of pork is one of the most flavorful.

A Healthy Holiday Meal
With delicious sides

In addition to the pork roast being so delicious, the side dish pairings can provide a healthier alternative to the normal holiday recipes. I suggest pairing the following sides with the pork roast: balsamic glazed brussel sprouts, homemade applesauce or roasted onion and apples, spicy cherry Chutney, or baked sweet potatoes with brie and walnuts.

I said in my previous rotisserie blog, Holidays should be stress free and fun. Let’s head out to the patio with a cool beverage and let your ElectriChef outdoor grill do all the work!

ITALIAN-STYLE ROTISSERIE PORK RIB ROAST

Makes: 8 servings
Number of Ingredients: 10

Recipe by: Chef Paulette Bilsky 

INGREDIENTS

• 5 rib, 3.25 pound pork rib roast, chine bones removed, rib bones cut to roast
• Juice of 2 fresh lemons
• Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

Italian Dry Rub Ingredients*

• 3 tablespoons Italian Seasoning
• 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
• ½ tablespoon dried sage
• ½ tablespoon sweet paprika
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder

METHOD

• Place all 6 Italian Dry Rub ingredients into a resealable mason jar and mix thoroughly.
  
  

NOTE: Any remaining rub can be stored in a cool dry place for up to 4 months.

• Rinse and pat dry rib roast. Set aside until it is room temperature.
  
  
• Rub entire roast with lemon juice and sprinkle about half the dry rub mixture on all sides of the roast, season with salt and pepper.
  
  
• Remove the grill grates from the grill; turn on your ElectriChef Grill to 500°F. Set up rotisserie motor and plug it into the receptacle.

Place Pork Roast on The Rotisserie Spit Using the Instructions Below:

1. Place one spit fork on the rotisserie shaft.
   
   
2. Push the rotisserie shaft through the center of the roast, including the rib bones.
   
   
3. Slide the spit fork already on the spit into the pork roast and tighten the screw. Again checking to see that the roast is centered, slide the second spit fork tines into the other end of the roast and tighten the screws to firmly secure the roast.
   
   

4. Set the rotisserie shaft in place in the rotisserie motor.

    

   NOTE: The reason the rib bones need to be cut at the butcher is to have enough clearance for the roast to clear the grill lid and flavor tray. Because the rib bones extend outside the roast, the center of the roast is actually off centered by the ribs. Please keep this in mind when putting roast on the spit. I added hickory wood chips on aluminum foil on top of the flavor tray during the rotisserie process. You can leave the wood chips off and I will provide a separate blog on smoking after the first of the year.

    

5. Loosen the small circular piece closest to the handle and secure it inside the grill to hold spit firmly in the motor slot. The roast should freely rotate when the motor turns the spit. If the flavor tray touches the roast, you will have to reposition the roast so it has clearance of the flavor tray.
   
   
6. Turn the motor on and watch that the roast has no obstructions and is secure on the spit.

• The drippings from the roast will want to be reserved, place an aluminum pan with a cup of water under roast on top of the flavor tray. Once the roast is finished, use drippings to make sauce.

NOTE: I usually add carrots, celery and onions to the drip pan to help enhance the sauce flavor.

• Close the grill cover and allow roast to grill for 10 minutes on 500°F. This will create a nice sear and crust to the outer layer of the roast.
  
  
• After 10 minutes, turn the temperature down to 350°F and continue to grill for another 45-50 minutes (depending on thickness of the roast) checking occasionally.
  
  
• Open grill and check temperature using a thermometer in the area closest to the middle rib, temperature should read about 150°F.

• Place the pork roast on a large cutting board, remove the spit fork and carefully slide the roast off the spit. Let the roast rest for 10 minutes while you finish the rest of the sides.
  
  
• Garnish a large platter with fresh basil and rosemary, slice your roast and place on a platter for presentation.
  
  

Your pork rib roast is now ready to be served to your family and friends at your next get together celebration!

What's Next? If you like this rotisserie dish try out our other holiday Cornish Hen and Turkey Rotisserie recipe!