Sweet, sticky, and with a touch of spice, these barbecue ribs will be the star of the show! (if the “show” is dinner, and the “venue” is your backyard). They are fall off the bone tender.
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I am SO excited about this rib recipe. I’m not a griller (or a gorilla, if that ever comes up), but I sure do like some good ribs. The husband was busy chasing the boys around, so I pulled these ribs out, rubbed em, baked em while regularly pulling them out to “mop” them. I then had the husband throw them on the grill, basting with the sauce made to go with this.
YOU GUYS. Seriously – these really are the best barbecue ribs I’ve ever eaten. Fall off the bone tender, and super easy to make.
I start these on a weekend morning and let them sit for a good amount of time, then bake them in the afternoon ready for dinner.
I keep a stash of the rib rub around, so I don’t have to mix it up every time! Just double, triple or quadruple the rib rub and keep it in an air tight container until the next time you need ribs. Pretty sure you’ll get through it!
If you are worried that the rub would make them too spicy for you, don’t! Instead of adding HEAT they added a gorgeous depth of flavor.
This is a baked ribs recipe, so if you want a quicker way – try these Instant Pot Ribs. You might like to try these BBQ Grilled Ribs, too.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Simple: Ingredients you’ll find in the local grocery store, or your own pantry.
- Homemade: You can make as much of this as you like to feed your exact family. They’ll love it!
- Delicious: Enough said, right?
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of ribs should I buy?
I prefer either baby back ribs or st louis style – plenty of meat on those!
Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker?
Yes! You can use a crockpot if you’d prefer, add a little of the mop to the bottom of the crockpot and cook them for 8 hours on low.
What to serve with Ribs
- Grilled Zucchini with Lime – kick your grilled veggie game up a notch!
How to make this recipe
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This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. The full list of ingredients, quantities and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.
How to remove the membrane from ribs
Pat the ribs dry with a paper towel.
Take a dull knife, slide the tip under the membrane on the back of each rack, and loosen it.
Take the corner of it and pry off the entire membrane from the back of the ribs.
MAKE THE DRY RUB – combine paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, onion powder, pepper, thyme and cayenne in a small bowl. Mix well with a fork to break up the sugar.
RUB THE RIBS – Rub evenly over the top side of the ribs, and massage into the meat. Set aside in the fridge for an hour or so, or overnight if you want even better flavor.
MAKE THE BARBECUE SAUCE – Combine all the sauce ingredients into a saucepan and simmer over a medium heat until thickened, stirring occasionally for about 15 minutes. Be careful not to burn – don’t leave it unattended.
MAKE THE MOP – Combine apple juice and some of the sauce along with some apple cider vinegar.
HOW TO OVEN BAKE RIBS – We cook the ribs in the oven low and slow!
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Place the ribs on an aluminum foil-lined sheet pan, cover with foil, and bake for an hour while you make the sauce and mop.
- After an hour, mop the ribs, and continue to mop every 30-45 minutes or so. The ribs should be in the oven for about 3 hours.
- Remove the ribs from the oven, and baste them with some of the sauce.
- Heat the grill to medium-high or return to the oven at 400 and cook them for about 10 minutes, basting regularly with the sauce.
- Take them off, baste some more, and cover with foil.
- Rest for 30 minutes.
- Devour.
Kylee’s Notes
You’ll need to begin these ribs at least 4 hours before you’d like to eat.
Prepared chili powder refers to a chili powder blend, not straight ground chilis!
If you want to skip making your own bbq sauce, no worries! Use your favorite bbq sauce instead!
Hide leftovers, or you will find your fridge pillaged by your family.
More recipes to love:
- Grilled Vegetable Salad with Tarragon Dressing. A spectacular, smoky grilled vegetable salad, bursting with flavor, this is an easy side that you can make ahead or make with the family!
- Grilled Chicken Satay Skewers (with Peanut Sauce). Chicken tenders marinated in a homemade satay marinade threaded on skewers and grilled to perfection.
- Best Homemade Beef Burgers (5 Ingredients!). this recipe will have you skip the drive-through and head home to chow down on these instead! Super easy, only 5 ingredients!
- Grilled Teriyaki Chicken. A very easy Teriyaki Marinade that makes chicken, pork, beef, or fish so flavorful. You are going to love making and eating this recipe!
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Sweet and Spicy BBQ Ribs
Ingredients
Rub
- 2 tablespoons paprika (smoked)
- 1 1/2 tablespoon dark brown sugar (packed)
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon prepared chili powder
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoon cracked pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Ribs
- 2 Racks St Louis Style Ribs
Sauce
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2/3 cup apple juice
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar ((packed))
- 2 tablespoons unsulfured molasses
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon prepared chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon tsp cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cracked pepper
Mop
- 1 cup apple juice
- 6 tablespoons sauce (from above)
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
Directions
Make the rub
- Mix the rub ingredients together until well blended.2 tablespoons paprika, 1 1/2 tablespoon dark brown sugar, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon prepared chili powder, 1 tablespoon kosher salt, 1 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1 1/2 teaspoon cracked pepper, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Remove the membrane
- Take a dull knife, slide the tip under the membrane on the back of each rack, and loosen it. Take the corner of it and pry off the entire membrane from the back of the ribs.2 Racks St Louis Style Ribs
Rub and bake
- Sprinkle the rub mix evenly over the top side of the ribs, and massage into the meat. Set aside in the fridge for an hour or so, or overnight if you want even better flavor.
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Place the ribs on a foil lined sheet pan, cover with foil and bake for an hour while you make the sauce and mop.
- After an hour, mop the ribs, and continue to mop every 30-45 minutes or so. The ribs should be in the oven about 3 hours.
- Remove the ribs from the oven, and baste them with some of the sauce.
Sauce
- Combine all the sauce ingredients into a saucepan and simmer over a medium heat until thickened, stirring occasionally for about 15 minutes. Be careful not to burn – don’t leave it unattended.1 cup ketchup, 2/3 cup apple juice, 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar, 2 tablespoons unsulfured molasses, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon prepared chili powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon tsp cumin, 1/4 teaspoon cracked pepper
Make the Mop
- Combine mop ingredients and use a turkey baster (or something similar) to regularly “mop” the ribs.1 cup apple juice, 6 tablespoons sauce, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
Grill or broil
- Heat the grill to medium high and cook them for about 10 minutes, basting regularly with the sauce.
- Take them off, baste some more and cover with foil. Rest for 30 minutes.
Serve
- Devour.
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Notes
Nutrition Facts
Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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