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The Ultimate Fall-Off-The-Bone Best BBQ Spare Ribs Recipe

These mouthwatering BBQ spare ribs are slow-baked for tenderness, then finished on the grill with a sweet and spicy homemade BBQ sauce featuring rum for the perfect sticky, smoky ribs that literally fall off the bone.
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
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup molasses
  • 1/4 cup dark rum
  • 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking dish with aluminum foil for easier cleanup.
  2. Prepare the dry rub by combining garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
  3. Remove the thin membrane from the back of the ribs: Slide a butter knife under the membrane at one end and lift to loosen it, then grip with a paper towel and pull it off in one piece.
  4. Generously coat both sides of the ribs with the dry rub, massaging it into the meat.
  5. Place the ribs in the prepared baking dish, cover tightly with aluminum foil, and bake for 2.5 hours, or until the meat is tender but not falling apart.
  6. While the ribs are baking, prepare the BBQ sauce. Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
  7. Add minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
  8. Add ketchup, molasses, rum, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and Dijon mustard. Stir to combine.
  9. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Set aside.
  10. Preheat your grill to medium heat (around 350-375°F).
  11. Remove the ribs from the oven, carefully drain excess liquid, and transfer to the preheated grill.
  12. Brush the ribs with the BBQ sauce and grill for 5 minutes. Flip, baste with more sauce, and grill for another 5 minutes.
  13. Continue this process of flipping and basting every 5 minutes for about 20 minutes total, or until the sauce has caramelized and the ribs have developed a nice char.
  14. Transfer the finished ribs to a cutting board and let rest for 5-10 minutes.
  15. Cut between the bones to separate into individual ribs and serve hot with any remaining BBQ sauce on the side.

Nutrition

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