Recently someone asked my husband who makes his favorite barbecued ribs. I was so proud when he said, “my mother-in-law.” My mom does make the best ribs. The ribs she makes are the bar by which I judge all other ribs. I grew up on them! The formula is really simple: quality meat and quality sauce. As far as the meat goes spare ribs are my favorite. As far as the barbecue sauce goes that’s where individual taste comes into play. My preference is a vinegar-based barbecue sauce that doesn’t contain fake smoke. Period. Apparently my husband agrees! There is one more family secret you should know. My family is die-hard Open-Pit-Original-barbecue-sauce fans. I can’t stress this enough, for ribs “just” like my mom’s, use Open Pit Original. I still love the flavor of that sauce, but over the past couple years I’ve been trying to come up with a homemade version which is a story in and of itself. Anyway, these ribs are finger-lickin’ good! And, guess what? You can have these ribs year round since they are made in your oven!
How to make Mom’s Oven-Roasted Barbecued Ribs
1 package of pork spare ribs
1 1/2 cups of your favorite barbecue sauce (I like to make my own)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place ribs meaty side down (back of the ribs facing up) on top of a wire rack on a cookie sheet. Pour two cups of water (or so) in the bottom of the pan and roast on the middle rack position for 1 1/2 hours. While the ribs are roasting you can make your sides as well as the barbecue sauce, or use your favorite bottled barbecue sauce. Otherwise, gather and measure out all the ingredients for the sauce.
After the ribs have roasted for 1 1/2 hours flip them over and continue to roast for another 30 minutes. That will be a total of 2 hours without any barbecue sauce.
After the ribs have roasted for a total of 2 hours flip them again to the meaty side down position and slather on up to half of the barbecue sauce. Roast for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes flip again meaty side up and slather with more barbecue sauce. Roast for a final 15 minutes. Yes, this means these ribs roast for 2 1/2 hours total.
Remove the ribs from the oven to a cutting board.
Slice the ribs into individual pieces.
Serve for dinner or appetizers.
Do you have to make ribs on a barbecue?
No, you can make ribs using your kitchen oven in about two and a half hours.
Do you need a dry rub to make ribs?
No you can make ribs in the oven without any spices and just top with barbecue sauce.
Are ribs Paleo?
Yes, you can have ribs on a Paleo diet as long as the barbecue sauce is compliant.
Are ribs Whole30?
Yes, you can have ribs on Whole30 as long as the barbecue sauce is compliant. Primal Kitchen makes a compliant sauce or you can make your own.
What goes well I with ribs?
You can serve ribs with a vinegar based side like coleslaw, salad, or fermented vegetables, and a carbohydrate like a baked potato, fried potatoes, corn pudding, or corn bread.
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Mom's Oven-Roasted Ribs
Ingredients
- 1 package of pork spare ribs
- 1 1/2 cups of your favorite barbecue sauce (I like to make my own)
Directions
- Step 1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place ribs meaty side down (back of the ribs facing up) on top of a wire rack on a cookie sheet. Pour two cups of water (or so) in the bottom of the pan and roast on the middle rack position for 1 1/2 hours. While the ribs are roasting you can make your sides as well as the barbecue sauce, or use your favorite bottled barbecue sauce. Otherwise, gather and measure out all the ingredients for the sauce.
- Step 2 After the ribs have roasted for 1 1/2 hours flip them over and continue to roast for another 30 minutes. That will be a total of 2 hours without any barbecue sauce.
- Step 3 After the ribs have roasted for a total of 2 hours flip them again to the meaty side down position and slather on up to half of the barbecue sauce. Roast for 15 minutes.
- Step 4 After 15 minutes flip again meaty side up and slather with more barbecue sauce. Roast for a final 15 minutes. Yes, this means these ribs roast for 2 1/2 hours total.
- Step 5 Remove the ribs from the oven to a cutting board.
- Step 6 Slice the ribs into individual pieces.
- Step 7 Serve for dinner or appetizers.
Yum!
My hubby would like this.