Barbecue Pork Ribs

There are few things in this world that I like more than Barbecue Pork Ribs.  Several years ago, when my husband and I were living abroad, some friends invited us to dinner and served ribs.  I was in heaven.  They were amazing.  And then I found out how they were made, and was astounded at how simple they were to prepare.  Yes, they take all day to cook, but that's hardly difficult.  Since then I've made these on all my special BBQ occasions, such as Memorial Day, July 4, and Labor Day.  And sometimes I make them just because.  Because they're divine.  I'm often told by my guests that they're better than those you get at expensive restaurants. 

You can make as many racks of ribs as you want.  A rack usually has twelve rib bones in it and will serve 2 or 3 people, depending on how much they eat.  I don't recommend buying them without the bones, as you will lose some meat that way and definitely sacrifice on flavor.  By the time you're done cooking these the bones will be falling out of their own accord, so don't worry about them.  Generally when you buy ribs at the store they come packaged two racks together, though I've also seen them with three.  I buy some whenever they're on a good sale and throw them in the freezer until I'm ready for that special day.

Barbecue Pork Ribs
Recipe from Andrew Hill

Ingredients:
2 racks pork ribs, bone-in
1 jar of your favorite barbecue sauce
2 T to 1/4 cup water
Salt and pepper

To begin with, wrap a large baking sheet (jelly-roll pan) with foil.  You'll probably need two overlapping sheets.  Turn the oven to 215F.  It's not very hot, because you'll be cooking them all day long.

In a small bowl mix 1 cup of barbecue sauce with 2 T water.  You want the sauce to be thin enough that it's easy to brush thinly over the meat, but not so thin that it's watery.  If you need more water, add more, up to 1/4 cup.

Place the raw ribs on the pan, bone-side up.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then brush with the thinned-out barbecue sauce.  Flip the meat over and repeat. 

After both sides have been covered with the sauce, they'll look like this:

Cover the whole tray very tightly with foil and place in the oven.  Cook at 215 F for at least 6 hours or up to 8.

 

When they come out of the oven they'll look like this:

 

Next you need to glaze them.  Some people prefer to glaze them on a grill, and you're certainly welcome to do so.  I prefer to glaze them under the broiler because it's easier not to move them so much when they're that tender.  Either way, you need to brush full-thickness barbecue sauce over the top of the ribs.  Be generous.  Then, if you're using the broiler, place the whole tray under the broiler (about 6 inches from the element) and let the sauce carmelize a bit, about 3-5 minutes.  If you'd like to you can carefully turn them over with tongs and do the other side, but I have to say that I usually just do the meaty side.

If you want to glaze on a grill, then apply the barbecue sauce to both sides of the cooked ribs (use tongs to turn), and then carefully lift the ribs AND the foil onto the preheated grill.  Let them carmelize for about 3 minutes, then carefully turn them over and do the other side. They should look like this:

Serve these babies immediately.  Serves 4-6.

Short version of the recipe:

Barbecue Pork Ribs
Recipe from Andrew Hill


Ingredients:
2 racks pork ribs, bone-in
1 jar of your favorite barbecue sauce
2 T to 1/4 cup water
Salt and pepper


To begin with, wrap a large baking sheet (jelly-roll pan) with foil.  You'll probably need two overlapping sheets.  Turn the oven to 215F.  It's not very hot, because you'll be cooking them all day long.


In a small bowl mix 1 cup of barbecue sauce with 2 T water.  You want the sauce to be thin enough that it's easy to brush thinly over the meat, but not so thin that it's watery.  If you need more water, add more, up to 1/4 cup.

Place the raw ribs on the pan, bone-side up.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then brush with the thinned-out barbecue sauce.  Flip the meat over and repeat.  Cover the whole tray very tightly with foil and place in the oven.  Cook at 215 F for at least 6 hours or up to 8.

Next you need to glaze them.  Some people prefer to glaze them on a grill, and you're certainly welcome to do so.  I prefer to glaze them under the broiler because it's easier not to move them so much when they're that tender.  Either way, you need to brush full-thickness barbecue sauce over the top of the ribs.  Be generous.  Then, if you're using the broiler, place the whole tray under the broiler (about 6 inches from the element) and let the sauce carmelize a bit, about 3-5 minutes.  If you'd like to you can carefully turn them over with tongs and do the other side, but I have to say that I usually just do the meaty side.


If you want to glaze on a grill, then apply the barbecue sauce to both sides of the cooked ribs (use tongs to turn), and then carefully lift the ribs AND the foil onto the preheated grill.  Let them carmelize for about 3 minutes, then carefully turn them over and do the other side. 


Serve these babies immediately.  Serves 4-6.