Sweet and Spicy BBQ Pork Ribs

These Sweet and Spicy BBQ Pork Ribs are a delicious blend of tender meat and flavorful barbecue sauce. Perfect for a family dinner or a backyard cookout, these ribs will be a hit with everyone!

You’ll Need:

Ribs:

  • 2 to 2 1/2 pounds pork ribs
  • Salt and black pepper
  • Sweet and spicy barbecue sauce (recipe below)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/4 cup onion, diced
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 cup ketchup (try our homemade ketchup recipe)
  • 1 tablespoon hot chili sauce (such as Sriracha)
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • Salt and ground pepper, to taste

Directions:

Prepare the Ribs:

  1. Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C).
  2. If the ribs have a thin membrane covering the back, remove it. (See notes below for tips on how to do this.)
  3. Season both sides of the ribs generously with salt and black pepper. If using a spice mixture, rub it onto the ribs. Place the ribs meat-side up in a large roasting pan or on a rimmed baking sheet. (You may need to cut the ribs in half to fit them into the pan.)
  4. Cover the pan or baking sheet tightly with aluminum foil and cook in the preheated oven until the meat easily pulls away from the bones, about 2 ½ to 3 ½ hours. Check the ribs after 2 hours to monitor their progress. The ribs are done when the meat is cooked through and tender.

Prepare the Barbecue Sauce:

  1. While the ribs are cooking, prepare the barbecue sauce. Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Add the diced onions and cook until they are soft and translucent, about 5 to 8 minutes. Add the ground cumin and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
  3. Stir in the ketchup, hot chili sauce, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar. Mix well and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Cook the sauce for about 2 minutes, then set aside to use with the ribs.

Finish the Ribs:

  1. When the ribs are done, remove them from the oven and discard the aluminum foil. Generously brush both sides of the ribs with the prepared barbecue sauce.
  2. Optional: For extra caramelization, you can place the sauced ribs under the broiler for a few minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
  3. Serve the ribs hot and enjoy!

Notes:

  • To remove the membrane from the back of the ribs, slide a knife under the membrane and over a bone at one end of the rack. Lift and loosen the membrane until it tears, then grab the edge of the membrane with a paper towel and pull it off.

Enjoy your flavorful and tender Sweet and Spicy BBQ Pork Ribs!