Description
Tender and flavorful baby back ribs slow roasted in the oven and finished on the grill with a rich homemade BBQ sauce, perfect for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Ribs
- 2 racks of baby back ribs (about 3–4 pounds)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Dry Rub
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for spice)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
BBQ Sauce
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Ribs: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil to catch drips and make cleanup easier.
- Remove the Silver Skin: Using a paper towel to grip firmly, peel off the thin membrane from the back of the ribs to ensure tenderness and better flavor absorption.
- Season the Ribs: Pat the ribs dry with paper towels, then season generously with salt and black pepper on both sides to start building flavor.
- Make the Dry Rub: In a small bowl, mix together all the dry rub ingredients until evenly combined.
- Apply the Dry Rub: Rub the dry mixture all over the ribs, pressing it into the meat thoroughly on both sides. Let the ribs rest at room temperature for 20-30 minutes to allow flavors to penetrate.
- Cook the Ribs (Slow Roast): Place the ribs meat-side up on the prepared baking sheet and cover tightly with aluminum foil to lock in moisture. Bake for 2.5 to 3 hours until the ribs are tender and the meat easily pulls away from the bone.
- Prepare the BBQ Sauce: While ribs bake, combine all BBQ sauce ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir to combine and simmer gently for 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then remove from heat.
- Finish the Ribs on the Grill: Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Remove ribs from oven and carefully discard the foil. Brush BBQ sauce generously over the ribs.
- Grill to Caramelize: Grill the ribs for 5-7 minutes per side, basting with additional BBQ sauce, until a nice char forms and the sauce caramelizes beautifully.
- Serve: Let the grilled ribs rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with extra BBQ sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Removing the silver skin is key for tender ribs.
- Allowing the dry rub to sit on the ribs helps deepen the flavor.
- Cooking low and slow in the oven ensures tender meat.
- Finishing on the grill adds smoky flavor and a nice char.
- Adjust cayenne pepper for desired spice level.
- Rest resting the ribs before slicing retains juiciness.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
