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Baby Back Ribs with BBQ Sauce

These Baby Back Ribs are slow-cooked to perfection, featuring a smoky flavor and a deliciously sticky BBQ sauce that elevates their tenderness and taste. Perfect for gatherings or a comforting family meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Barbecue
Calories: 360
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Spice Rub
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1.5 tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 1.5 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1.5 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground mustard
  • 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper Adjust according to heat preference
Main Ingredients
  • 2 racks baby back ribs Remove membrane before cooking
  • 6 tablespoons BBQ sauce Homemade or store-bought

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, oregano, ground mustard, and cayenne pepper to create the spice rub.
  2. Preheat the smoker to 225°F (110°C) or the oven to 300°F (150°C). For the oven, arrange one rack in the middle position and the other in the top position.
  3. Remove the membrane from the underside of each rack of ribs.
  4. Evenly coat the ribs on both sides with half of the spice rub and let them rest for 15 minutes.
  5. Finish coating the ribs with the remaining spice rub.
Cooking
  1. For the smoker method: Place the spice-coated ribs in the smoker and cook for 2 hours.
  2. Remove the ribs and double wrap each rack in heavy-duty foil. Return to the smoker for an additional 1½ hours.
  3. Unwrap the ribs, brush with BBQ sauce, and return to the smoker for another 45 minutes to 1 hour or until tender.
  4. For the oven method: Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, place the ribs on it, cover with foil, and bake for about 2 hours until tender.
  5. Switch the oven to broil, unwrap the ribs, brush with BBQ sauce, and broil for 2 to 4 minutes until caramelized.
  6. Let the ribs cool for 10 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Consider pairing these ribs with sides like coleslaw or cornbread. Feel free to adjust heat levels in the spice mix and explore different wood chips for smoking.