Foolproof Baby Back Ribs
Tender, juicy, and loaded with smoky-sweet flavor, these Foolproof Baby Back Ribs guarantee barbecue perfection every time—no grill mastery required! Perfectly seasoned with a homemade dry rub featuring paprika, brown sugar, and a kick of cayenne, these ribs are slowly baked in foil to lock in moisture and ensure fall-off-the-bone tenderness. Finished with a glossy layer of caramelized barbecue sauce, you can choose to broil them in the oven or char them on the grill for that irresistible smoky finish. With minimal prep and a low-and-slow cooking method, this recipe is ideal for both weeknight dinners and weekend gatherings. Serve these mouthwatering ribs hot with extra barbecue sauce and watch them disappear!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 racks Baby back ribs
- 4 tablespoons Brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Paprika
- 1 tablespoon Smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon Garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Onion powder
- 2 teaspoons Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoons Cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1.5 cups Barbecue sauce
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C).
Prepare the ribs by removing the membrane on the back of each rack. Use a butter knife to loosen the edge of the membrane, then grab it with a paper towel and pull it off.
In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, paprika, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to create the dry rub.
Pat the ribs dry with a paper towel, then rub olive oil all over both sides of the racks to help the seasoning adhere.
Generously sprinkle the dry rub over both sides of each rack, using your hands to press it into the meat for maximum flavor.
Wrap each rack of ribs tightly in aluminum foil to retain moisture and place them on a large baking sheet with the bone side facing down.
Bake in the preheated oven for 2.5–3 hours, or until the ribs are tender but not falling apart.
Remove the ribs from the oven and carefully unwrap the foil. Be cautious of hot steam escaping.
If finishing on the grill: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Brush both sides of the ribs generously with barbecue sauce. Place the racks on the grill bone-side down and cook for 5–7 minutes, flipping once, until the sauce is caramelized and slightly charred.
If finishing in the oven: Set the oven to broil. Brush both sides of the ribs generously with barbecue sauce, and place them on a foil-lined baking sheet. Broil for 5–7 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning, until the sauce is caramelized and sticky.
Remove the ribs from the grill or oven and let them rest for 5 minutes before cutting into individual portions.
Serve hot with extra barbecue sauce on the side, and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1618 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 106.9 g | 137% | |
| Saturated Fat | 37.4 g | 187% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 360 mg | 120% | |
| Sodium | 2366 mg | 103% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 60.7 g | 22% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.5 g | 13% | |
| Total Sugars | 47.9 g | ||
| Protein | 96.9 g | 194% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.1 mcg | 6% | |
| Calcium | 171 mg | 13% | |
| Iron | 7.0 mg | 39% | |
| Potassium | 1661 mg | 35% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
