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–+ servings

Fall-Off-The-Bone BBQ Spare Ribs with Homemade Sweet & Spicy Sauce

There's nothing quite like perfectly cooked BBQ spare ribs that fall off the bone with each bite. This recipe combines oven-baking for tenderness with grilling for that authentic smoky flavor, all coated in a homemade sweet and spicy BBQ sauce with a hint of rum.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 504
Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients
  

  • 4 pounds pork spareribs
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/3 cup rum can substitute apple juice
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dried mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon liquid smoke optional

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil for easier cleanup.
  2. Prepare the ribs by removing the thin membrane from the back side. Use a knife to loosen the membrane at one end, then grab with a paper towel and pull it off.
  3. Season both sides of the ribs generously with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Place the ribs meat-side up on the prepared baking sheet.
  4. Cover the ribs tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 2 hours or until the meat begins to pull away from the bones and is tender.
  5. While the ribs are baking, prepare the BBQ sauce. In a medium saucepan, combine brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, rum, apple cider vinegar, dried mustard, paprika, cayenne pepper, minced garlic, and liquid smoke (if using).
  6. Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly. Remove from heat and set aside.
  7. Once the ribs have baked for 2 hours, remove them from the oven. Preheat your grill to medium heat or set your oven broiler to high.
  8. Brush the ribs generously with the prepared BBQ sauce on both sides.
  9. For grilling: Place the ribs on the grill, meat side down, and cook for 5-7 minutes. Flip the ribs, baste again with sauce, and grill for another 5-7 minutes until the sauce is caramelized and sticky.
  10. For broiling: Place ribs under the broiler, meat side up, for 3-5 minutes until the sauce begins to caramelize. Baste again and broil for another 3-5 minutes.
  11. Remove the ribs from the heat and allow them to rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting between the bones to serve.
  12. Serve with remaining BBQ sauce on the side for dipping.

Nutrition

Calories: 504kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 30gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 715mgSugar: 20g
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