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Baked BBQ Baby Back Ribs

Baked BBQ Baby Back Ribs: A Tender and Flavorful Delight

Baked BBQ Baby Back Ribs

Craving fall-off-the-bone ribs with a smoky barbecue flavor? Look no further than this baked BBQ baby back ribs recipe. This method yields incredibly tender and juicy ribs with a perfectly caramelized, smoky crust. The key to this recipe lies in a flavorful dry rub and a low-and-slow cooking process, followed by a basting with your favorite barbecue sauce.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup ancho chile powder
  • ¼ cup white sugar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cupsalt
  • 2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon ground dried chipotle pepper
  • 1 rack baby back pork ribs
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce

Instructions

Preparing the Ribs:

  1. Create the Dry Rub: In a small bowl, combine ancho chile powder, white sugar, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, cumin, dry mustard, cayenne pepper, and chipotle pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
  2. Prepare the Ribs: Preheat your oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Place the rack of baby back ribs meat-side down on a large sheet of aluminum foil. Using a knife, prick the back of the rib rack several times to allow for better penetration of the dry rub.
  3. Apply the Dry Rub: Generously coat both sides of the rib rack with the prepared dry rub, ensuring even coverage.

Low and Slow Cooking:

  1. Wrapping the Ribs: Fold the aluminum foil tightly around the rib rack, creating a sealed packet. Transfer the wrapped ribs to a baking sheet.
  2. Baking: Place the ribs in the preheated oven and cook for approximately 2 hours, or until the ribs are tender and cooked through. Once cooked, remove the ribs from the oven and let them cool for about 15 minutes.

Finishing the Ribs:

  1. Increasing Heat: Increase the oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  2. Unwrapping and Basting: Open the aluminum foil packet and carefully remove the ribs. Drain and discard any accumulated juices and fat. Brush the entire surface of the ribs with a generous layer of barbecue sauce.
  3. Glazing: Place the ribs meat-side up on the baking sheet. Return the ribs to the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Remove the ribs from the oven and apply another layer of barbecue sauce to the meat side only. Repeat this process of baking for 10 minutes and applying barbecue sauce four more times, for a total of 50 minutes of glazing time. This will create a thick, caramelized barbecue glaze.

Serving:

  1. Cutting and Serving: Once the ribs have reached the desired level of glaze, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly. Cut the rack into individual rib segments and serve with additional barbecue sauce if desired.

Tips for Perfect Ribs

  • For extra smoky flavor, you can soak wood chips in water and add them to a disposable aluminum pan placed on the oven rack below the ribs.
  • If you prefer a spicier rub, increase the amount of cayenne pepper and chipotle pepper to taste.
  • Experiment with different types of barbecue sauce to find your favorite flavor profile.
  • For a richer flavor, consider using apple juice or beer instead of water to soak the wood chips.
  • Plan ahead! This recipe requires ample time for cooking and glazing.

By following these steps and tips, you'll be rewarded with tender, flavorful, and mouthwatering baked BBQ baby back ribs that will impress your family and friends. Enjoy!

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