Maple Apple Ribs
Savor the mouthwatering combination of sweet and smoky flavors with these Maple Apple Ribs, a perfect centerpiece for a cozy dinner or backyard cookout. Tender pork baby back ribs are slow-baked until fall-off-the-bone perfection, then coated in a luscious glaze made with maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, and warm spices like cinnamon and cloves. The secret to their irresistible caramelization lies in brushing the glaze on repeatedly during the final roasting stage. With just 20 minutes of prep time and a delightful balance of tangy, sweet, and savory notes, these ribs are sure to be a hit. Serve them hot with extra maple apple glaze for dipping and watch your guests devour every last bite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 racks pork baby back ribs
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup apple juice
- 0.33 cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 0.5 cup ketchup
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.125 teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C). Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
Prepare the ribs by removing the silver skin from the back of the ribs if it hasn’t already been removed. Pat the ribs dry with paper towels.
In a small bowl, mix together the salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Rub the spice mixture evenly over both sides of the ribs.
Place the ribs on the prepared baking sheet, meat side up. Cover the ribs tightly with aluminum foil to create a sealed pouch. This will allow the ribs to braise and become tender as they cook.
Bake the ribs in the preheated oven for 3 hours. During this time, prepare the maple apple glaze.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the apple cider vinegar, apple juice, maple syrup, unsalted butter, ketchup, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves. Stir the mixture well and bring it to a simmer. Cook the glaze for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it reduces slightly and thickens.
After 3 hours, remove the ribs from the oven and carefully open the foil pouch. Turn up the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C).
Brush a generous layer of the maple apple glaze over the ribs. Place the ribs back in the oven, uncovered, and roast for an additional 30-40 minutes, brushing more glaze onto the ribs every 10 minutes.
Once the ribs are caramelized and sticky, remove them from the oven. Let the ribs rest for about 10 minutes before slicing between the bones to separate the ribs.
Serve the Maple Apple Ribs with any remaining glaze on the side. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1357 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 94.2 g | 121% | |
| Saturated Fat | 36.6 g | 183% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 324 mg | 108% | |
| Sodium | 1438 mg | 63% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 33.7 g | 12% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.6 g | 2% | |
| Total Sugars | 29.6 g | ||
| Protein | 95.3 g | 191% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 60 mg | 5% | |
| Iron | 4.6 mg | 26% | |
| Potassium | 1155 mg | 25% | |
*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.
