These incredibly tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs are coated in a simple homemade spice rub, roasted low and slow until perfectly tender, then finished on the barbecue with a rich, tangy homemade BBQ glaze that caramelizes beautifully. Easy enough for a weekend dinner but impressive enough for backyard BBQs all summer long.
Prep time
15 min
Cook time
3½–4 hours
Serves
For the Ribs
Spice Rub
Homemade BBQ Glaze
For the Ribs
Spice Rub
Homemade BBQ Glaze
Prepare the Ribs
Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
If the thin membrane is still attached to the back of the ribs, slide a butter knife underneath one corner and pull it away using a paper towel for a better grip.
Pat the ribs dry with paper towel.
In a small bowl, combine all of the spice rub ingredients.
Rub the olive oil evenly over both sides of the ribs, then generously coat them with the spice rub, pressing it into the meat.
Slow Roast
Place the ribs meat-side up on a foil-lined baking sheet or in a roasting pan.
Cover tightly with another sheet of foil, sealing the edges well to trap in the moisture.
Bake for 3 to 3½ hours, or until the ribs are tender and the meat has started pulling back from the ends of the bones.
Make the Homemade BBQ Glaze
About 15 minutes before the ribs are finished cooking, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic, smoked paprika, onion powder, chili powder, black pepper, salt, and water in a small saucepan.
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
Cook for 5 minutes, or until the glaze has slightly thickened and the flavours have blended together.
Remove from the heat.
Finish on the Barbecue
Preheat your barbecue to medium heat (375–400°F).
Carefully transfer the cooked ribs to the grill.
Brush generously with the warm BBQ glaze and cook for 3–5 minutes.
Flip the ribs, brush with another generous layer of glaze, and cook for another 3–5 minutes, until the glaze is bubbling, caramelized, and beautifully sticky. Keep a close eye on the ribs during this step, as the sugars in the glaze can burn quickly.
For an extra glossy finish, brush on one final coat of the warm BBQ glaze just before serving.
To Serve
Let the ribs rest for 5 minutes, then slice between the bones.
Serve with creamy coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, grilled corn on the cob, or crispy fries.
Melissa's Notes
This recipe is written for 1 rack of pork side ribs (about 2½–3 lbs). Simply double or triple the ingredients if you're cooking more than one rack.
Removing the membrane helps the seasoning penetrate the meat and creates more tender ribs.
Keeping the ribs tightly covered while roasting locks in moisture, resulting in juicy, tender ribs every time.
Like a little heat? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the spice rub or BBQ glaze.
Leftover ribs reheat beautifully. Cover with foil and warm in a 300°F oven for about 20 minutes.
Cooking for a crowd? Simply double or triple the recipe depending on how many racks of ribs you're making.
Per serving
Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary depending on the ingredients and brands used.
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