Baby Back Ribs: Bbq Sauce, Slow-Cooked Perfection

Baby back ribs are a popular choice for grilling, and can be cooked in the oven or on a grill. They are tender and juicy, with a sweet and spicy flavour that falls off the bone. The key to cooking baby back ribs is to cook them low and slow, allowing the fat to render out slowly and the connective tissue to break down. This results in succulent ribs with a distinctive smoky flavour.

Removing the membrane

To remove the membrane, start by locating it on the back of the rack of ribs. Using a small, sharp knife, gently slide the knife under the membrane to loosen it. The best place to start is on one of the middle bones. If the membrane is slippery, use a paper towel or kitchen towel to get a good grip, then peel it away from the bones. Alternatively, you can use pliers to secure a grip on the membrane and peel it off. Removing the membrane should be easy, and it will come off in one piece if done correctly.

If you are unsure about removing the membrane yourself, you can ask your butcher to do it for you. Some butchers may have already removed it when you purchase the ribs.

Applying a dry rub

The first step to cooking baby back ribs is to apply a dry rub. This is a blend of spices that are rubbed into the meat to help tenderise it. You can use a store-bought rub or make your own. Here is a simple recipe for a dry rub:

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon chilli powder
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Combine the cumin, chilli powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a small jar and shake to mix. You can also add other spices like garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, or cayenne pepper to customise your rub.

Now you have your rub ready, it's time to apply it to the ribs. First, trim any large pieces of fat off the ribs and blot them with paper towels to dry them. Then, remove the thin membrane (also known as silverskin) from the back of each rack of ribs. Insert a knife under the membrane and use a paper towel or pliers to peel it off.

Now it's time to apply the rub! Sprinkle the rub onto both sides of the ribs. Don't be shy, apply it liberally and rub it into the meat. You can wear kitchen gloves to keep your hands clean. Once the ribs are coated, wrap them in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, but overnight is even better. This allows the spices to penetrate the meat and enhances the flavour.

Cooking methods: grilling, smoking, oven-baking, or instant pot

Grilling

Grilling is a great way to cook baby back ribs with BBQ sauce. Here's a method that takes around 4 hours and is super simple:

• Start by removing the silver skin from the bone side of the ribs.
• Place the ribs on a large sheet of foil, meat side down, and season with a spice rub. A mixture of cayenne pepper, black pepper, garlic powder and salt works well.
• Lightly wrap the ribs in the foil, creating a tent so the foil doesn't touch the meat.
• Place the ribs on a preheated grill at around 250°F.
• After 2 hours, open the foil and coat the ribs with BBQ sauce.
• Reseal the foil and cook for another 2 hours.
• Remove the ribs from the foil and place directly on the grill for 10-20 minutes, until you get a nice char.

Smoking

Smoking is a popular method for cooking baby back ribs, and it can be done in a few different ways. Here's a simple recipe:

• Start by removing the membrane from the bone side of the ribs.
• Spread some mustard onto the bones as a binder for your rub.
• Generously cover the ribs with your chosen BBQ rub and pat them down.
• Flip the ribs over and repeat the process on the other side.
• Preheat your smoker to 250°F and place the ribs on the top rack.
• Leave the ribs to cook for about an hour and a half without touching them.
• After the first stage of cooking, spritz the ribs with a liquid of your choice – this could be Cherry Coke, root beer or apple juice.
• Continue to cook the ribs for another 1.5 hours, then wrap them in foil with butter, brown sugar, honey and more BBQ rub.
• Place the ribs back onto the smoker, meat side down, and cook for a further hour.
• Finally, unwrap the ribs, brush with BBQ sauce and place back on the smoker for 30 minutes to an hour, until the sauce becomes sticky.

Oven-Baking

Oven-baking is an easy way to cook tender baby back ribs. Here's a simple recipe:

• Preheat your oven to 275°F.
• Remove the thin membrane covering the back of the rack of ribs.
• Season both sides of the ribs generously with salt and pepper, or your chosen spice rub.
• Place the ribs, meatiest side up, in a large roasting pan and cover tightly with aluminium foil.
• Bake for 2.5 to 3.5 hours, or until the meat falls easily from the bones.
• Remove the ribs from the oven and discard the foil.
• Generously brush both sides of the ribs with BBQ sauce.
• Place the ribs under the grill for a few minutes, until the sauce is caramelised.

Instant Pot

Using an Instant Pot or pressure cooker is a quick and easy way to cook fall-off-the-bone tender baby back ribs. Here's a simple recipe:

• Use a paring knife to separate the thin transparent membrane on the inside of the ribs and peel it away.
• Rub the ribs well on all sides with a dry rub.
• Place foil balls or a rack in the bottom of your Instant Pot to raise the ribs above the liquid.
• Add water, vinegar and liquid smoke to the Instant Pot, then add the ribs, bending them to fit.
• Lock the pressure cooker and cook on high pressure for 30 minutes.
• Release the pressure naturally for 10 minutes, then vent off the remaining pressure.
• Remove the ribs from the Instant Pot and spread them out on a baking sheet.
• Brush the ribs with BBQ sauce and broil on high heat for 5 minutes.
• Slice the ribs and serve with extra sauce.

Applying BBQ sauce

The key to applying BBQ sauce to your baby back ribs is to do so generously and at the right time. You don't want to apply the sauce too early, or it will burn, and you don't want to apply it too late, or it won't have time to properly flavour and coat the meat.

If you are cooking your ribs in the oven, the best time to apply the BBQ sauce is after the ribs have been baked and are ready to be broiled or grilled. At this point, you can slather the ribs with your chosen sauce.

If you are cooking your ribs on a grill, the best time to apply the BBQ sauce is after the ribs have been cooking for about an hour. You can then brush the ribs with the sauce and continue grilling until the sauce is browned and bubbling.

If you are using a smoker, you can apply the BBQ sauce after the ribs have been smoking for about an hour. You can then brush the ribs with sauce and continue smoking until the sauce is browned and bubbling.

No matter which cooking method you choose, make sure to coat the ribs generously with the sauce, and don't be afraid to add extra if needed. You want the ribs to be well-coated so that they will be tender, juicy, and full of flavour.

Additionally, if you want to add extra flavour to your ribs, you can apply a dry rub or spice mix before cooking. This will help to tenderize the meat and add extra flavour. You can also baste the ribs with a mopping sauce during the cooking process.

Resting, slicing, and serving

Once your ribs are cooked, remove them from the grill, smoker, or oven and let them rest for at least 5 minutes and up to 15 minutes. This step is crucial as it allows the juices to redistribute and the ribs to relax, ensuring they are tender and juicy.

While the ribs rest, prepare your serving platter or plates. You can serve the ribs as a whole rack for a more impressive presentation, or you can cut them into individual ribs for easier eating. To cut the ribs, use a sharp knife to slice between each rib bone.

After resting and slicing, it's time to serve! Transfer the ribs to your serving platter or plates. If desired, brush the ribs with additional BBQ sauce before serving. Don't forget to serve your favourite sides, such as potato salad, coleslaw, cornbread, or roasted potatoes.

For an extra touch, garnish the ribs with chopped fresh herbs like parsley or chives. Your ribs are now ready to be enjoyed! Don't forget to provide napkins or wet wipes, as things might get a little messy!

Frequently asked questions