Description
Succulent baby back ribs from American barbecue traditions deliver mouthwatering comfort with minimal kitchen effort. Slow-roasted and glazed with smoky-sweet sauce, these ribs promise a delightful meal you’ll savor down to the last delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 rack baby back ribs, membrane removed
Dry Rub Spices:
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) paprika
- 2 teaspoons (10 ml) coarse salt
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) black pepper
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) onion powder
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) cumin
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) chili powder
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) dry mustard
Sauce and Garnish:
- ½ cup (120 ml) brown sugar BBQ sauce
- 2–3 tablespoons (30–45 ml) honey
- Parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C), creating a low and slow cooking environment for maximum tenderness.
- Unroll a large sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil, ensuring it’s big enough to completely encase the baby back ribs.
- Generously massage the dry rub mixture into both sides of the ribs, coating every surface to infuse deep flavor throughout the meat.
- Carefully wrap the seasoned ribs tightly in the foil, creating a sealed packet that will help retain moisture during cooking.
- Position the foil-wrapped ribs on a large baking sheet, which will catch any potential drippings and make transfer easier.
- Slow-roast the ribs in the preheated oven for 3 hours, allowing the connective tissues to break down and the meat to become incredibly tender.
- Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven and gently unwrap the foil packet, releasing the aromatic steam.
- Whisk together the barbecue sauce and honey to create a glossy, sweet-tangy glaze for the ribs.
- Liberally brush the cooked ribs with the sauce mixture, ensuring an even and thorough coating.
- Return the sauced ribs to the oven’s lowest rack and broil for 3-5 minutes, creating a caramelized and slightly charred exterior.
- Extract the ribs from the oven and apply an additional layer of barbecue sauce for extra flavor and shine.
- Optional: Sprinkle finely chopped fresh parsley over the ribs for a touch of color and fresh herbaceous note.
Notes
- Prepare ribs at least 3 hours before mealtime to ensure slow-cooking allows meat to become incredibly tender and flavorful.
- Use heavy-duty aluminum foil to create a sealed packet that traps moisture, preventing ribs from drying out during baking.
- Custom dry rub blend adds deep, complex flavor profiles that penetrate the meat during the long, slow cooking process.
- Broiling for a short time creates a delicious caramelized exterior with sticky, glossy BBQ sauce that adds incredible texture and shine.
- Choose quality baby back ribs with good marbling for maximum tenderness and rich, juicy meat that falls right off the bone.
- Serve immediately after cooking to enjoy the ribs at peak temperature and maximum flavor intensity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking, Broiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 385 kcal
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 920 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg