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Flavorful BBQ Ribs Recipe with Homemade Bold Dry Rub

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This BBQ ribs recipe features a bold, smoky, and slightly sweet dry rub that creates a flavorful crust without the need for sticky sauces. Perfect for oven, smoker, or grill, it’s easy to prepare and delivers tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 racks pork spare ribs or baby back ribs (about 4 pounds / 1.8 kg)
  • ¼ cup (50 g) packed brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Remove ribs from packaging and peel off the thin silver skin on the bone side using a paper towel to grip and pull it off.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir until evenly mixed.
  3. Pat ribs dry with paper towels. Generously coat both sides of the ribs with the dry rub, pressing it into the meat so it sticks well.
  4. Optional: Wrap ribs in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 12 hours to marinate.
  5. Preheat oven to 275°F (135°C) or prepare smoker for indirect heat at 225°F (107°C) with wood chips.
  6. Place ribs bone-side down on a foil-lined baking sheet or roasting pan. Tent ribs with foil to lock moisture.
  7. Bake ribs in oven for about 3 hours or smoke uncovered for 5-6 hours, spritzing occasionally with apple juice or cider vinegar to keep moist.
  8. Check for tenderness: meat should have pulled back about ¼ inch from bones and a toothpick should slide easily between bones. Internal temperature should reach 190°F (88°C).
  9. Optional: Remove foil tent and increase oven temperature to 400°F (200°C). Roast uncovered for 10 minutes to form a crusty bark.
  10. Let ribs rest for 10 minutes before slicing between the bones and serving.

Notes

Dry ribs thoroughly before applying rub to ensure crust formation. Low and slow cooking breaks down collagen for tender meat. Spritz ribs hourly with apple juice or cider vinegar to maintain moisture. The final high-heat roast uncovered creates a crispy bark. The dry rub can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for weeks. Adjust cayenne pepper for desired spice level. Use heavy-duty foil to prevent tearing. For less sweet rub, substitute brown sugar with coconut sugar. Optional herb additions include dried thyme or rosemary.

Nutrition

Keywords: BBQ ribs, dry rub, pork ribs, smoked paprika, easy ribs recipe, oven ribs, smoker ribs, spicy ribs, homemade BBQ

Find it online: https://emmaoven.com/flavorful-bbq-ribs-recipe-with-homemade-bold-dry-rub-easy-guide/