Best 20 Barbecue Ribs Recipes

FOOLPROOF RIBS WITH BARBECUE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil.
• Place the ribs on the sheet pan meat-side up and sprinkle them with 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Pour the barbecue sauce generously on each rack and cover the ribs loosely with aluminum foil. Bake for 1 1/2 hours for baby backs and 1 3/4 hours for St. Louis ribs, until the meat is very tender when tested with a fork. As soon as the ribs are out of the oven, spread them generously with additional barbecue sauce. Grill right away or refrigerate to grill later.
• About 40 minutes before you want to serve, heat a charcoal grill with a layer of hot coals or heat a gas grill to medium-high heat. After the charcoal turns gray, brush the cooking grate with oil to keep the ribs from sticking. Place the ribs on the grill ribs-side down, put the lid on top (be sure both vents are open!) and grill for 5 minutes. Turn the ribs meat-side down, put the lid back on and grill for another 4 to 5 minutes, until nicely browned. Place on a cutting board and cover tightly with aluminum foil and allow the ribs to rest for 10 minutes. Cut into ribs and serve hot with extra barbecue sauce on the side.
• Heat the oil in a large saucepan over low heat, add the onions and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, until the onions are translucent but not browned. Add the garlic and cook for one more minute. Add the tomato paste, vinegar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, chili powder, cumin and pepper flakes.
• Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. Use immediately or pour into a container and refrigerate for several weeks.

SLOW-COOKER BARBECUE RIBS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Season ribs with salt and pepper. Place in a shallow baking pan. Brown in oven 15 minutes. Turn over, and brown another 15 minutes; drain fat.
• In a medium bowl, mix together the ketchup, chili sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, oregano, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and salt and pepper. Place ribs in slow cooker. Pour sauce over ribs, and turn to coat.
• Cover, and cook on Low 6 to 8 hours, or until ribs are tender.

EASIEST TASTIEST BARBECUE COUNTRY STYLE RIBS (SLOW COOKER)

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in crock pot.
• Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours (Mine took about 6 hours).
• Meat starts to fall off the bones-- be careful of the small ones in the juices!

COLA BARBECUE RIBS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, garlic, salt, pepper and, if desired, liquid smoke; rub over ribs., Layer ribs and onion in a greased 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker; pour cola over ribs. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or until ribs are tender. Drain liquid. Pour sauce over ribs and cook 1 hour longer.

COUNTRY-STYLE BARBECUE RIBS

Steps:

• Preheat broiler. Mix first 9 ingredients. Place pork in a foil-lined 15x10x1-in. pan; rub generously with seasonings. Broil 4-5 in. from heat until browned, 2-3 minutes per side., Transfer to a 5-qt. slow cooker. Whisk together barbecue sauce and beer; pour over ribs. Cook, covered, on low until tender, 3-4 hours., Remove ribs. Reserve 2 cups cooking juices; discard remaining juices. Skim fat from reserved juices. Serve with ribs.

SPICE-RUBBED BABY BACK RIBS WITH CHIPOTLE-BOURBON BARBECUE SAUCE

Steps:

• Place the ribs on a rimmed baking sheet. If the concave side of your ribs still has its papery membrane intact, remove it: Pry it up at the end of the bones using the tip of a meat thermometer or butter knife, then pull it off with a paper towel. Lightly brush the ribs on both sides with the mustard.
• Prepare the rub: In a small bowl, combine the chile powder, brown sugar, salt, pepper and celery seeds. Reserve 1 1/2 teaspoons rub for serving, then sprinkle the remaining rub on the ribs, coating both sides.
• Set up your charcoal grill for indirect grilling and heat to 300 degrees.
• Once the grill comes to temperature, add half the wood chunks or chips to the coals. Arrange the ribs meat (rounded) side up on the grate away from the heat, then cover the grill. Grill the ribs over indirect heat for 1 hour.
• After the ribs have grilled for 1 hour, spray on both sides with apple cider (if using), turning the ribs with tongs. Add the remaining wood chunks or chips to the fire and close the grill again.
• While the ribs grill, prepare the barbecue sauce: Place all the sauce ingredients, along with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, in a heavy saucepan and whisk to mix. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, whisking often. Reduce the heat and gently simmer the sauce, uncovered, until thick and richly flavored, 6 to 8 minutes. Correct the seasoning, adding more salt and pepper to taste; set aside. (Makes about 2 cups.)
• Continue grilling the ribs over indirect heat, rounded side up, until sizzling, browned, tender, and the meat has shrunk back from the ends of the bones by 1/4 to 1/2 inch. This normally takes 2 to 2 1/2 hours in all, but sometimes you'll need a full 3 hours. The last 20 minutes, brush the ribs on both sides with some of the barbecue sauce. When ready, the meat should be tender enough so you can pull the individual ribs apart with your fingers.
• Brush each rack on both sides with more barbecue sauce. Move each rack directly over the fire and direct grill to sizzle the sauce into the meat, 2 to 4 minutes per side.
• Transfer the ribs to a platter for serving. Brush once more with barbecue sauce and sprinkle the ribs with the remaining rub. Serve the remaining sauce in a bowl on the side.

GRILLED BEEF RIBS WITH SWEET-AND-STICKY BARBECUE SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine first 7 ingredients in large deep saucepan. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until very thick, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour. Cool sauce. (Can be made 1 week ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Place ribs in heavy large pot. Add celery, onion, carrots, bay leaves, peppercorns and 1 tablespoon salt. Add enough water to cover ribs and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until meat is tender, about 1 hour. Using tongs, remove rib racks from pot. Cool slightly. Cut between bones into individual ribs. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; refrigerate.)
• Prepare barbecue (medium heat). Brush ribs with some of sauce. Grill ribs until brown and thickly glazed, occasionally turning and basting with more sauce, about 10 minutes.

BARBECUE ST. LOUIS PORK RIBS

Steps:

• Set a smoker to 225 degrees F.
• Combine the paprika, black peppercorns, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, garlic powder, onion powder, nutmeg and cayenne in a spice grinder. Process until a fine powder is formed, approximately 30 seconds.
• Pat the ribs dry and turn bone-side up. Trim excess fat and, if one end of the ribs is especially narrow, trim meat and bone to ensure even cooking. Remove the membrane on the underside of the ribs by inserting a rounded utensil, an upside-down spoon works well, between the membrane and the meat at one end of the slab. Carefully work the spoon under the membrane to loosen but not tear. Once enough has been loosened, use a paper towel to hold onto the membrane as you slowly pull it down the slab to remove.
• Sprinkle the ribs on both sides with the salt and brush both sides with the mustard. Sprinkle two-thirds of the spice mixture on the meat side of the ribs and the remaining third on the bone side.
• Once the smoker has reached 225 degrees F, add the wood chips or chunks and the ribs to the smoker.
• Smoke for 4 to 5 hours then test for doneness. There are four criteria that should be met in order for ribs to be done. First, the internal temperature of the meat should be 185 to 190 degrees F. Second, pick up each slab from the center with tongs and it should droop into a u-shape and crack slightly. Third, while holding with the tongs, and bouncing gently, the surface of the ribs should crack slightly. Lastly, the meat should pull easily off the bone but not fall off. If ribs pass all tests, remove them from the smoker and wrap in heavy-duty foil and rest for 15 minutes. If not, continue smoking for 45 minutes to 1 hour and test again until done.

OVEN-ROASTED RIBS WITH BARBECUE SAUCE

Steps:

• Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with foil, and place a wire rack on top of each. Transfer 2 racks of ribs to each wire rack, meat side up.
• Using a sieve, sift sugar, paprika, salt, cocoa, cayenne, and cumin together into a small bowl. (Use the back of a spoon to break up any lumps and to press ingredients through a sieve.) Stir to combine.
• Sprinkle spice mixture evenly over both sides of each rack of ribs. Lightly rub mixture into the ribs to coat completely. Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate on racks on sheets at least 20 minutes (or up to 2 hours for maximum flavor).
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees, with racks in upper and lower thirds. Cook ribs on racks on sheets, switching positions of baking sheets about halfway through, until meat pulls away easily from the bones, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Let cool completely. Refrigerate, covered, until ready to finish cooking, up to 2 days. (If finishing cooking immediately, raise oven temperature to 425 degrees and continue with step 6.)
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Let ribs stand at room temperature 20 minutes.
• Using 2 cups reserved barbecue sauce, brush both sides of ribs. Cook ribs on wire racks set over rimmed baking sheets lined with foil until sauce is slightly caramelized and ribs are heated through, about 15 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes; serve with more barbecue sauce.

BIG BOB GIBSON BARBECUE RIBS

Steps:

• To prepare the rub: Combine all rub ingredients in a bowl and stir to mix.
• Preheat a grill or the oven to 250 degrees F.
• Place slab of ribs bone side up on table. Slide a knife under the membrane and against the end bone to separate the two. With a dry paper towel or rag, grasp the edge of the thin membrane and pull. The entire membrane should separate from rib. Note: This will result in a more tender rib and will allow your barbecue flavors to better penetrate the meat.
• Sprinkle 1/4 cup of rub over each slab, front and back. Place ribs, meat side up, on the grill or in the oven for 2 hours. Remove and place each slab on a doubled aluminum foil square, meat side down. Pour 1 cup apple juice over each slab while wrapping tightly in foil. Cook for 1 more hour at 250 degrees F. Remove slabs from foil and sprinkle with another 1/4 cup of rub. Cook an additional 1 hour, uncovered, until ribs are tender.
• In the meantime, mix together the barbecue sauce ingredients in a saucepan. Stir to mix and bring to a simmer and cook 10-15 minutes. Let sauce cool.
• To finish: Remove ribs from the grill or oven, paint with finishing glaze and cook for another 15 minutes. Cut and serve with additonal sauce.

CHILI-RUBBED BABY BACK RIBS WITH ESPRESSO BARBECUE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Whisk chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper in small bowl to blend. Rub spice mixture all over ribs. Place ribs in heavy large roasting pan.
• Boil beer in medium saucepan until reduced to 1 cup, about 5 minutes. Pour beer around ribs. Cover pan tightly with foil. Bake ribs until fork-tender, about 1 hour 30 minutes.
• Combine barbecue sauce, 1/2 cup water, brown sugar, and espresso powder in heavy medium saucepan. Simmer until flavors blend and sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. (Ribs and barbecue sauce can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cool slightly, then cover separately and refrigerate.)
• Prepare barbecue (medium heat). Brush ribs with some barbecue sauce. Grill ribs just until heated through, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer ribs to platter. Bring remaining sauce to simmer. Brush ribs with more barbecue sauce. Serve ribs, passing remaining barbecue sauce separately.

BAKED PORK RIBS WITH HOISIN BARBECUE SAUCE

Steps:

• Place ribs in large roasting pan. Pierce meat with fork. Sprinkle with Chinese five-spice powder and onion powder; rub mixture into meat.
• Whisk remaining ingredients in small bowl to blend. Pour sauce over ribs, turning to coat. Turn ribs meat side down; cover pan with aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight.
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake ribs, covered, until just tender, about 30 minutes. Uncover and turn ribs meat side up; bake until ribs are cooked through, basting occasionally, about 35 minutes. Cut meat between bones to separate ribs and serve.

GRILLED SPARE RIBS WITH BARBECUE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Season ribs with chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stack slabs on a double layer of aluminum foil; wrap tightly. Place on a rimmed baking sheet. Cook until meat is fork-tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, make barbecue sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook until soft, 2 to 3 minutes. Add ketchup, vinegar, Worcestershire, cayenne, and desired variation (see below). Bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thick, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
• Heat grill to medium-high; lightly oil grates. Carefully remove ribs from foil, pouring off any accumulated liquid. Brush ribs generously with sauce; grill until charred, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Serve with extra sauce, if desired.

STEVE'S BODACIOUS BARBECUE RIBS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, stir together paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, ground black pepper, cumin, brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Apply liberally to the ribs. Place ribs in a large roasting pan, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Remove ribs from the refrigerator 1 hour before smoking.
• Prepare an outdoor smoker, bringing the temperature to 200 to 225 degrees F (95 to 110 degrees C).
• Smoke ribs for 6 to 8 hours, adding wood chips to maintain a steady smoke (approximately one handful every 30 to 45 minutes). Ribs are done when crispy outside and tender inside. Remove from smoker, and set aside for 15 to 20 minutes before serving.

BARBECUE COUNTRY-STYLE PORK RIBS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Place pork in a Dutch oven or a roasting pan with a lid. Sprinkle with salt. In a small, dry skillet over medium heat, toast allspice, peppercorns, coriander and cloves until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Using an electric spice grinder or a mortar and pestle, grind spices and transfer to a small bowl.
• To the ground, toasted spices, add smoked paprika, cayenne, cinnamon, annatto (if using), garlic, molasses, vinegar and tomato paste. Stir well, then rub mixture all over pork.
• Add 4 cups water to pot. Add split chiles, if using (omit if you don't like really spicy barbecue), and bay leaves. Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to 300 degrees, and continue to bake, basting occasionally for 2 hours, until meat is fork tender and falling off the bone. Pour off juices and remove rising fat. Cut pork into chunks or shred. Serve with pan juices, on a bun or roll, and/or with the cabbage salad. (Alternatively, refrigerate meat and juices for up to 2 days for easier fat removal, and reheat.)
• To make optional cabbage salad, place cabbage in a low, wide bowl. Sprinkle with salt and toss well. Add orange juice, lime juice, vinegar, jalapeño, cumin and scallions. Toss well and leave to macerate for at least 1 hour; repeat tossing once or twice. Garnish with cilantro sprigs.

GRILLED RIBS WITH CHERRY COLA BARBECUE SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Cut ribs into serving-size sections. Rub ribs with seasoned salt, garlic pepper and ginger. Place ribs in 15x10x1-inch pan, overlapping slightly. Bake uncovered about 1 hour 30 minutes or until tender.
• Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, mix barbecue sauce, cola, preserves, mustard and buffalo wing sauce. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer uncovered 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors are blended and sauce is slightly thickened.
• Heat coals or gas grill for direct heat. Cover and grill ribs over medium heat 10 to 15 minutes, turning and brushing occasionally with barbecue sauce mixture to glaze.
• Heat remaining barbecue sauce mixture to boiling; boil and stir 1 minute. Serve sauce with ribs.

CHIPOTLE BARBECUE RIBS

Steps:

• For the ribs: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large rimmed baking pan with foil.
• Place the ribs on the prepared baking pan meat-side up. Sprinkle them with the paprika, garlic powder, 1 tablespoon salt and a generous amount of pepper. Rub the spices all over the ribs.
• Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake until the meat is very tender and can easily be pulled off the bone, about 2 hours.
• For the barbecue sauce: Meanwhile, heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring often, until very soft and golden brown, about 20 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add the ketchup, orange juice, Worcestershire, chipotles and adobo and 1/2 cup water. Increase the heat to bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to keep at a simmer until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a blender and puree until smooth (be careful when blending hot liquids). Alternately, an immersion blender can be used in the pot.
• Finish the ribs: Preheat the grill to medium-high (or set the oven to broil).
• Reserve about a cup of the barbecue sauce for serving alongside the ribs. Brush a small amount of the remaining sauce on the bone side of the ribs and a generous amount on the meaty side.
• Grill the ribs, meaty-side up, until the underside is lightly charred, about 3 minutes. Turn the ribs over and grill until the meaty side is charred in spots, 3 to 5 minutes (if using the oven, simply broil for 3 to 5 minutes). Transfer to a cutting board and cut each rack in half. Serve immediately with the reserved sauce on the side.

CHINESE-STYLE BARBECUE RIBS

Steps:

• 1. Combine soy sauce, 2 Tbsp. hoisin sauce and garlic; pour over ribs in large plastic food storage bag. Press air out of bag; close top securely. Turn bag over several times to coat all pieces. Refrigerate 1 hour, turning bag over once.
• 2. Place ribs, meaty-side down, in foil-lined pan. Cover; bake at 350°F. 50 minutes. Drain off excess fat. Mix remaining 1/4 cup hoisin sauce and honey; brush ribs with 1/2 of mixture. Bake, uncovered, 10 minutes. Turn ribs over and brush with remaining sauce mixture. Bake 10 minutes longer.

BARBECUE RIBS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Cut spareribs into serving size portions, wrap in double thickness of foil, and bake for 1 1/2 hours. Unwrap, and drain drippings. (I usually freeze the drippings to use later in soups.) Place ribs in a large roasting pan.
• In a bowl, mix together brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, rum, chile sauce, garlic, mustard, and pepper. Coat ribs with sauce and marinate at room temperature for 1 hour, or refrigerate overnight.
• Preheat grill for medium heat. Position grate four inches above heat source.
• Brush grill grate with oil. Place ribs on grill, and cook for 30 minutes, basting with marinade.

BETH'S MELT IN YOUR MOUTH BARBECUE RIBS (OVEN)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with two layers of foil, shiny side out.
• Peel off tough membrane that covers the bony side of the ribs.
• Season the ribs on both sides with salt and pepper. If using, divide the Hickory liquid smoke evenly over the ribs.
• In a medium bowl, combine the light brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder and ground red pepper. Apply the rub to all sides of the ribs.
• Lay ribs on the prepared baking sheet, meaty side down. BONE SIDE DOWN FOR GRILLING!
• Lay two layers of foil on top of ribs and roll and crimp edges tightly, edges facing up to seal.
• Transfer to the oven and = bake for 2-2 1/2 hours or until meat is starting to shrink away from the ends of the bone.
• Remove from oven.
• Heat broiler.
• Cut ribs into serving sized portions of 2 or 3 ribs.
• Arrange on broiler pan, bony side up.
• Brush on sauce.
• Broil for 1 or 2 minutes until sauce is cooked on and bubbly.
• Turn ribs over.
• Repeat on other side.
• Alternately, you can grill the ribs on your grill to cook on the sauce.