Hard Rock Cafe Famous Baby Back Watermelon Ribs by Todd Wilbur
Indulge in the irresistible fusion of smoky and sweet with the Hard Rock Cafe Famous Baby Back Watermelon Ribs by Todd Wilbur. This recipe takes classic baby back ribs to the next level with a unique homemade watermelon barbecue sauce that's bursting with fresh, fruity flavor. Slow-cooked to tender perfection and finished with a caramelized glaze, these ribs combine a spice rub of paprika, garlic, and chili powder with a tangy blend of brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and honey. The standout feature? Pureed watermelon adds a refreshing twist, creating a sticky-sweet sauce that will have your taste buds dancing. Perfect for summer gatherings or a backyard barbecue, these fall-off-the-bone ribs are guaranteed to impress. Serve with extra watermelon sauce for dipping and savor every bite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 racks Baby back ribs
- 2 cups (cubed) Watermelon
- 1.5 cups Barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons Brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Paprika
- 2 teaspoons Garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Chili powder
- 2 tablespoons Honey
- 2 tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 cup Water
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
Prepare the rib marinade by combining paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and chili powder in a small bowl. Rub this spice mixture evenly over the baby back ribs.
Wrap the ribs tightly in aluminum foil and place them on a baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 2.5 hours or until the ribs are tender and the meat is pulling away from the bone.
While the ribs are baking, prepare the watermelon barbecue sauce. Blend the watermelon cubes in a blender until smooth, then strain the juice through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium saucepan.
Add barbecue sauce, brown sugar, honey, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil to the watermelon juice. Stir well to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
Remove the ribs from the oven and carefully unwrap the foil. Increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C).
Brush a generous amount of the watermelon barbecue sauce onto the ribs, coating them evenly. Return the ribs to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce is caramelized and sticky.
Remove the ribs from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes before cutting them into individual portions.
Serve the ribs hot, paired with extra watermelon barbecue sauce on the side.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1638 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 106.7 g | 137% | |
| Saturated Fat | 37.0 g | 185% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 360 mg | 120% | |
| Sodium | 1892 mg | 82% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 66.1 g | 24% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.2 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 53.7 g | ||
| Protein | 96.6 g | 193% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.1 mcg | 6% | |
| Calcium | 161 mg | 12% | |
| Iron | 6.5 mg | 36% | |
| Potassium | 1644 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.
