If you’re craving the smoky, juicy taste of barbecue pork ribs but don’t have access to an outdoor grill, you can still enjoy that irresistible flavour from the comfort of your kitchen. With the right techniques, you can create oven-baked pork ribs that taste just like they’ve come off the grill, complete with a smoky essence and caramelised, saucy coating.
Preparing the Ribs
Start by selecting meaty pork ribs with good marbling, as this will ensure a tender and juicy result. Baby back ribs are generally a great choice, but spare ribs also work well if you prefer a slightly larger cut. Begin by patting the ribs dry with a paper towel, then remove the silver skin from the back. This thin, tough membrane can prevent flavours from soaking in and make the ribs chewy, so it’s best removed for a more tender bite.
Infusing Barbecue Flavour
To achieve that barbecue flavour without an actual grill, the trick is to build layers of smoky seasoning. Start by rubbing the ribs generously with a mixture of salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and a touch of smoked paprika or liquid smoke. Smoked paprika gives a rich, natural smokiness, while a few drops of liquid smoke can deepen that flavour even further if desired. Once coated, let the ribs sit for 30 minutes to allow the seasoning to absorb.
Slow Cooking in the Oven
Low and slow cooking is key to getting barbecue-like tenderness. Place the ribs on a baking tray lined with foil, then cover them with another layer of foil to keep in moisture. Bake at a low temperature (about 150°C or 300°F) for around 2-3 hours. This slow cooking helps to break down the connective tissue, creating that desirable, melt-in-the-mouth texture.
Adding the Sauce
Halfway through baking, apply a layer of barbecue sauce. This caramelises over time and adds a sticky, sweet finish. Feel free to add a second coating in the last 15 minutes for extra depth. Once cooked, you can place the ribs under the grill for a few minutes to add char marks that mimic a grill’s appearance.
With these techniques, you’ll have tender, flavourful pork ribs that capture the essence of outdoor barbecue right from your oven.
Barbecue Style Pork Ribs in Your Oven
These oven-baked pork ribs capture all the flavour of outdoor barbecue without the need for a grill. Coated with a smoky dry rub, then baked low and slow, the ribs are tender and juicy, with a sweet and sticky layer of caramelised barbecue sauce. This recipe is perfect for anyone craving the taste of barbecue at home, no matter the season.
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Servings: 2 People
Calories: 1530kcal
Ingredients
- 1 rack pork ribs large baby back or spare ribs
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 drops liquid smoke for extra smokiness
- 1 cup barbecue sauce store-bought or homemade
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 150°C (300°F).
- Pat the ribs dry with a paper towel, then remove the silver skin membrane from the back of the ribs to help the seasoning absorb and make them more tender.1 rack pork ribs
- In a small bowl, mix together salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, regular paprika, garlic powder and onion powder.1 tbsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder
- Rub the spice mixture generously over both sides of the ribs. For added smokiness, add 2-3 drops of liquid smoke.2 drops liquid smoke
- Place the ribs on a foil-lined baking tray and cover with another piece of foil, sealing tightly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 2-3 hours. The slow baking process will tenderise the meat and give it a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- After 1.5-2 hours, remove the ribs from the oven and carefully remove the top layer of foil.
- Brush a generous layer of barbecue sauce over the ribs. Return them to the oven uncovered for the remaining cook time, or until the sauce has caramelised.1 cup barbecue sauce
- For a grill-like char, place the ribs under the oven grill for 3-5 minutes until slightly crisp.
- Slice the ribs and serve hot, with extra barbecue sauce if desired.
Nutrition
Calories: 1530kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 73g | Fat: 108g | Saturated Fat: 34g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 18g | Monounsaturated Fat: 39g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 364mg | Sodium: 5337mg | Potassium: 1577mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 48g | Vitamin A: 2542IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 137mg | Iron: 6mg