This summer is going to be 100% about GRILLING (per usual) and we need to be ready to go! Ever since Memorial Day, I’ve been grilling up a storm and the end is nowhere in sight. And if we’re talking grilling, then we gotta break these bad boys (Spiced Baby Back Ribs) out for the next festivity! Pair it up with some BBQ Corn Salad and Tomato Caprese Salad.
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
So here’s the deal with these Spiced Baby Back Ribs. There are 3 parts to making this recipe…
- First is making a pretty epic spice rub that coats the ribs.
- Second, the slowly cook in the oven for a few hours until the meat is super tender. Best part about both of those steps is you can do them the day before you're planning to fire up the grill so you don’t have to worry about it while your guests are over.
- And then the last part is throwing them on the grill or under the broiler for a hot second until they are crispy and perfection. Then just serve them up and away we go!
And if you're into this summer grilling situation, a whole dinner menu inspired by ribs... here ya go!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Dark Brown Sugar
- Kosher Salt
- Dry Mustard Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Black Pepper freshly ground
- Cayenne Pepper
- Smoked Paprika
- Baby Back Pork Ribs membrane removed from the underside of each rack
- BBQ Sauce homemade or store bought
- Pickles
- Potato Chips
*For a full list of ingredients and instructions please see recipe card below.
How to Make Spiced Baby Back Ribs
Step 1:In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, salt, mustard, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne and paprika.
Step 2: On 2 baking sheets, sprinkle the spice mix all over the ribs, pressing and patting it into the ribs. Cover with foil and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, overnight if possible.
Step 3: Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Keep the ribs covered in foil and roast for 3 hours, until the meat is super tender but not falling off the bone.
Step 4: Remove from the oven and pour off any liquid on the baking sheets. Preheat the broiler or BBQ. Brush each rack of ribs liberally with the various barbecue sauce.
Step 5: Broil or grill for about 10 minutes, turning and brushing occasionally with the sauce, until well-browned and crispy in spots. Transfer the ribs to a clean cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes.
Step 6: Cut in between the bones and mound the ribs on a platter. Pass any extra barbecue sauce on the side. Serve alongside extra BBQ sauce for dipping, some pickles and some chips.
How to Store Spiced Baby Back Ribs
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator once they are cool for about 2-3 days. Wrap them tightly with plastic wrap/ziploc since too much air can dry the ribs. If you want to use a container, use something small or shallow. To reheat, bring to room temperature, cover with a foil and heat it in the oven slowly at 300F. You can also use a skillet to slowly heat them, making sure to cover them with a lid. Leftover BBQ sauce really helps keep the the ribs moist and juicy!!
How to Freeze Spiced Baby Back Ribs
If you are not planning to eat the leftovers in 2-3 days, you can freeze these. Just like with refrigeration, wrap them tightly. When you are planning to eat them, you should defrost them in the fridge first and then follow the same instructions to reheat as with refrigeration.
Tips & Tricks
Have extra sauce on hand for serving!
FAQs
Should I boil the baby back ribs before grilling?
Nope! No need. Instead - bake them! This lets them start to fall apart so they are tender and easy to eat!
Can I omit the paprika and cayenne if I do not want the heat?
You can totally adjust the amount you add based on your preference. They both do add quite a lot of flavor, especially smoked paprika, which is milder, so you can experiment with how much you want to add.
Similar Recipes
If you tried this recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting today
Spiced BBQ Ribs
Ingredients
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- ½ tablespoon dry mustard powder
- ½ tablespoon garlic powder
- ½ tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ tablespoon cayenne pepper
- ½ tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 racks baby back pork ribs about 2 ½ pounds each, membrane removed from the underside of each rack
- Store bought or homemade bBQ sauce
- pickles to serve
- potato chips to serve
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, salt, mustard, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne and paprika. On 2 baking sheets, sprinkle the spice mix all over the ribs, pressing and patting it into the ribs. Cover with foil and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, overnight if possible.
- Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Keep the ribs covered in foil and roast for 3 hours, until the meat is super tender but not falling off the bone. Remove from the oven and pour off any liquid on the baking sheets.
- Preheat the broiler or BBQ. Brush each rack of ribs liberally with the various barbecue sauce and broil or grill for about 10 minutes, turning and brushing occasionally with the sauce, until well-browned and crispy in spots. Transfer the ribs to a clean cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes. Cut in between the bones and mound the ribs on a platter. Pass any extra barbecue sauce on the side.
- Serve alongside extra BBQ sauce for dipping, some pickles and some chips.
So good. Crowd pleaser for sure!
Easy and delicious! This was my first really successful attempt at cooking ribs. Cooking the ribs at a low temp in the oven was brilliant! I can't wait to make them again.
Looks super good!
These were really delicious! I’ve never made ribs before or even tried them but they tasted great!
A summer winner!!!
Amazing. Simply amazing. I am drooling even thinking about making these again.
Cholula FOR LIFE! We use it on so many things around here, but I never thought about adding it to a BBQ-style sauce. Brilliant!
And I thought that I was the only one on the planet who put
Cholula on her pancakes for breakfast. Making these ribs tomorrow! Yum can't wait
Looks soooo interesting with all those great flavours.
UNABLE to pin this to my board. Wondering what I am doing wrong.
NEED to do these ribs !!
Theresa.
I am off to the market to pick up some Cholula! These sound perfect for a weekend BBQ.
We buy Cholula at Costco. So yes, we are on that train! And now these ribs just feeds the addiction!
I am obsessed with Cholula- we go through a ton of it in our house- even the kids. These ribs look awesome!
These look so delicious! I love the flavors in this sauce!