Finger-Licking Ribs Recipe: Juicy & Fall-Off-The-Bone Tasty!

Tender, fall-off-the-bone smoky ribs recipe have been a backyard barbecue legend for generations.

Meat lovers crave these succulent, slow-cooked delights that melt in your mouth.

The secret lies in a perfect blend of spices and patient grilling techniques.

Smoke and seasonings dance together, creating a flavor symphony that makes everyone’s taste buds sing.

Each bite promises a rich, complex taste that tells a story of culinary passion.

These ribs transform an ordinary meal into an extraordinary feast.

Fire up the grill and get ready to become the neighborhood’s grilling champion.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours

Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 5

What Goes Into Ribs Recipe

• Pork Ribs: Select well-marbled ribs with consistent meat coverage for tender, juicy results.
• Olive Oil: Helps dry rub adhere and creates beautiful surface for caramelization.

• Brown Sugar: Adds delightful sweetness and helps create stunning caramelized exterior.
• Paprika: Provides warm, smoky depth and beautiful reddish color.
• Garlic Powder: Delivers robust savory undertones without raw garlic intensity.
• Black Pepper: Introduces sharp, zesty kick to enhance overall flavor profile.
• Salt: Intensifies meat's natural flavors and tenderizes protein.

• BBQ Sauce: Creates sticky, tangy coating with complex flavor layers.
• Honey: Adds golden shine and rich caramelization potential.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Balances sweetness with bright, tangy undertone.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Contributes deep umami complexity and subtle tang.

Tools You’ll Use For Ribs Recipe

• Baking Sheet: Essential for holding and cooking ribs in the oven.
• Aluminum Foil: Crucial for wrapping ribs during slow cooking to keep moisture.
• Mixing Bowl: Perfect for creating BBQ sauce glaze and mixing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Needed to help remove membrane from ribs.
• Paper Towels: Helps grip and remove rib membrane cleanly.
• Pastry Brush: Great for applying sauce evenly on ribs.
• Tongs: Useful for handling and turning ribs during cooking.

Steps To Make Ribs Recipe Right

• Unleash the Membrane

Remove the tough membrane from the back of the ribs using a knife to loosen it, then pull it off cleanly with a paper towel for maximum juiciness and tenderness.

• Massage with Flavor

Rub olive oil all over the ribs, then generously coat both sides with a delicious dry rub, working the seasonings deep into the meat. Let the ribs rest at room temperature for 30 minutes or refrigerate overnight to develop rich, intense flavors.

• Slow and Low Magic

Fire up the oven to 275F and wrap the ribs tightly in foil. Place on a baking sheet and let them transform into melt-in-your-mouth goodness for 2.5 to 3 hours.

• Glaze and Sizzle

Whip up a tantalizing sauce by combining BBQ sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Brush a generous layer over the ribs. For oven method, broil for 5 minutes until beautifully caramelized. If grilling, crank up the heat to medium-high and cook for 5-10 minutes until the ribs are sticky and have gorgeous char marks.

Tips To Make The Best Ribs Recipe

• Membrane Removal Magic: Always remove the tough back membrane to ensure super tender, melt-in-your-mouth ribs that absorb more flavor and become incredibly juicy.
• Overnight Flavor Bomb: Refrigerate ribs with dry rub for 8-12 hours to develop deeper, more intense seasoning that penetrates every muscle fiber of the meat.
• Moisture Master Technique: Place a small pan of water in the oven while cooking to create humid environment, preventing ribs from drying out and maintaining incredible softness.
• Diet-Friendly Adaptations: Swap traditional BBQ sauce with sugar-free or low-sugar versions for diabetic-friendly option. Gluten-free individuals can use cornstarch-based thickeners instead of regular sauces.
• Smoky Alternative Twist: For wood-fired flavor without a smoker, add wood chips wrapped in foil directly on oven rack or use liquid smoke in marinade for intense smoky essence.

How To Serve Ribs Recipe At Its Best

• Backyard BBQ Centerpiece: Serve these mouthwatering ribs as the star attraction at your next outdoor gathering, surrounded by classic summer sides like coleslaw and corn on the cob.
• Flavor Pairing Paradise: Complement the rich, smoky ribs with cooling sides like creamy potato salad, tangy cucumber salad, or a crisp green salad to balance the intense meat flavors.
• Game Day Feast: Create an epic spread by serving the ribs with chunky homemade french fries, beer-battered onion rings, or jalapeño cornbread for a crowd-pleasing meal that'll have everyone coming back for seconds.
• Leftover Magic: Transform extra ribs into tasty next-day meals like pulled rib sandwiches, chopped rib tacos, or shredded rib pizza topping for a delicious recipe remix.

Storage Tips For Ribs Recipe Made Simple

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Cooked ribs stay fresh in sealed containers for 3-4 days. Always refrigerate within two hours of cooking to maintain optimal taste and prevent bacterial growth.
• Flavor-Boosting Marination: For enhanced taste, marinate ribs overnight in the refrigerator. The dry rub ingredients will penetrate deeper into the meat, creating more robust and complex flavors.
• Freezer-Friendly Approach: Wrap cooled ribs tightly in aluminum foil, then place in freezer-safe bags. Frozen ribs maintain excellent quality for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
• Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated or thawed ribs in a preheated 250F oven, wrapped in foil, for 20-30 minutes. Add a splash of apple cider or broth to prevent drying out and restore moisture, ensuring tender, juicy meat.

Smoky Ribs Recipe

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4.5 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Smoky Carolina pulled pork ribs showcase Southern barbecue tradition with tender, succulent meat slow-cooked to perfection. Rich spices and tangy sauce define this classic dish that brings regional flavor directly to your plate.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 racks baby back ribs (or St. Louis-style spare ribs)
• ¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsps olive oil (for coating)
• 1 cup (240 ml) BBQ sauce (hickory, honey, or spicy BBQ works great!)
• 2 tbsps honey or maple syrup
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
• ½ tsp mustard powder (optional, for depth)

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Instructions

1. Membrane Removal: Detach the protective membrane from the ribs’ posterior side using a knife, gripping with a paper towel to smoothly extract the entire layer.
2. Seasoning Preparation: Coat ribs with olive oil, then thoroughly massage dry rub into the meat, ensuring deep penetration of the spice blend across both surfaces.
3. Marination Phase: Allow seasoned ribs to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes, or refrigerate overnight to maximize flavor absorption and tenderization.
4. Slow-Cooking Setup: Preheat oven to 275F (135C), creating an optimal low-temperature environment for meat transformation.
5. Moisture Sealing: Wrap ribs completely in aluminum foil, forming a tight packet that locks in moisture and promotes even cooking.
6. Roasting Process: Place foil-wrapped ribs on a baking sheet and roast for 2.5-3 hours until meat begins to effortlessly separate from the bone, indicating perfect tenderness.
7. Glaze Creation: Whisk together BBQ sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce to develop a complex, multilayered finishing coating.
8. Final Transformation: Brush ribs generously with prepared glaze, ensuring comprehensive coverage, then broil or grill for 5-10 minutes to caramelize and create a slightly charred, sticky exterior that elevates the overall flavor profile.

Notes

• Remove Membrane Carefully: Stripping the protective membrane ensures tender, easy-to-eat ribs and allows better seasoning penetration.
• Massage Seasoning Deeply: Press dry rub into meat fibers to maximize flavor absorption and create a rich, well-coated exterior.
• Rest for Flavor Intensity: Letting ribs sit at room temperature or overnight helps seasoning penetrate and develops deeper taste profiles.
• Slow-Cook for Tenderness: Maintaining low, steady oven temperature guarantees meat becomes exceptionally soft and falls effortlessly off the bone.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg