BBQ Baby Back Ribs
Oven-baked ribs with a dry rub, a low three-hour cook and a final glaze under the grill. No smoker needed, and the meat pulls cleanly from the bone without falling apart into mush.
Method
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Turn the racks bone-side up. Slide a knife under the silvery membrane at one end, grip it with kitchen paper and peel it off in one sheet.
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Rub the racks all over with the yellow mustard — it adds no flavour but glues the rub in place.
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Mix the rub ingredients and coat both sides heavily, pressing it in. Rest at room temperature for 30 minutes, or refrigerate overnight.
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Wrap each rack tightly in a double layer of foil and set on a baking tray.
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Bake at 140°C / 285°F for 2.5 hours, until a toothpick slides between the bones with almost no resistance.
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Meanwhile simmer all the glaze ingredients together for 10 minutes until thick and glossy.
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Unwrap the ribs, pour off the liquid, and brush generously with glaze.
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Grill or bake at 220°C / 430°F for 8 to 12 minutes, brushing with more glaze every 4 minutes, until sticky and charred at the edges.
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Rest for 10 minutes, then slice between the bones and serve with the remaining glaze.
Chef’s Tips
- Do not boil ribs. It leaches flavour into water you then throw away.
- The bend test tells you when they are ready: lift a rack with tongs and it should bow deeply and crack on the surface.
- Save the rendered liquid from the foil, skim it, and stir a few spoonfuls into the glaze.
Pairing Suggestions
- A cold lager or a bourbon on ice
- Serve with coleslaw, cornbread and pickles
- Finish with key lime pie
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerate 4 days, freeze 3 months. Reheat wrapped in foil at 150°C / 300°F for 25 minutes, then re-glaze under the grill.
Nutritional Highlights
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.