Description
This baby back ribs recipe delivers tender, flavorful pork ribs with a smoky, sweet, and slightly spicy BBQ flavor. The ribs are seasoned with a homemade spice rub, grilled to perfection, and finished with a delicious homemade BBQ sauce for a perfect summertime meal.
Ingredients
Spice Rub
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder
- 1 Tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
BBQ Sauce
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons honey
Main
- 3 lb. baby pork ribs
Instructions
- Prepping the ribs. Remove the packaging from your baby back ribs. Using a paper towel, grab and carefully peel off the membrane from the ribs to ensure tenderness. Place the ribs on a baking sheet. Rub all sides of the ribs evenly with the homemade spice rub prepared earlier. For best flavor, let the ribs sit with the rub for 30 minutes to an hour before cooking.
- Prepare the spice mix. In a bowl, combine the brown sugar, chili powder, ground cumin, and smoked paprika thoroughly to create the spice rub.
- Season the pork. Season the ribs with salt and pepper to taste, then generously rub them with the prepared spice mix, making sure all surfaces are coated.
- Make the BBQ sauce mix. In a separate bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, and honey until smooth and well combined.
- Heat the grill. Preheat your grill and lightly oil the grill grate to prevent sticking. Place the ribs directly on the grill over medium heat.
- Grill the ribs. Cook the ribs on the grill for about 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F, turning occasionally for even cooking.
- Brush with BBQ sauce and finish grilling. Brush the grilled ribs generously with the prepared BBQ sauce mixture and continue grilling for an additional 5 to 7 minutes to caramelize the sauce and enhance flavor.
- Serve. Remove the ribs from the grill and serve warm, either as a whole rack or cut into individual ribs for easy eating.
Notes
- Removing the membrane from the ribs is essential for tender results and better flavor penetration.
- For extra smoky flavor, consider using wood chips on the grill.
- Letting the ribs rest after cooking for a few minutes will help retain juices.
- You can adjust the amount of honey in the BBQ sauce for sweeter or tangier sauce according to your preference.
- Ensure the grill temperature is steady medium heat to avoid burning.
