A staple of American barbecue, featuring pork ribs seasoned with a spice rub, slow-cooked until tender, and often slathered in BBQ sauce.

"# American BBQ Ribs (Pork)

Ingredients

• 2 racks pork ribs (St. Louis style or baby back)
• For the Rub:
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons paprika (sweet or smoked)
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder

• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

• For the BBQ Sauce:

• Your favorite bottled BBQ sauce (approx. 1.5-2 cups)

• OR Homemade Sauce (ketchup base, vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire, spices)

Instructions

1. Prep Ribs: Remove the thin membrane (silverskin) from the bone-side of the ribs by sliding a knife underneath and pulling it off (use a paper towel for grip). Pat ribs dry.
2. Apply Rub: Combine all rub ingredients in a small bowl. Generously rub the spice mixture all over both sides of the ribs. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes or refrigerate for several hours.
3. Cook Ribs (Choose Method):
4. Oven (Low & Slow): Preheat oven to 275°F (135°C). Wrap each rack tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil. Place foil-wrapped ribs on a baking sheet. Bake for 2-2.5 hours for baby backs, 3-3.5 hours for St. Louis style, or until tender (bone should wiggle easily).
5. Grill (Indirect Heat): Set up grill for indirect heat (coals/burners on one side, ribs on the cool side) around 275°F (135°C). Place ribs bone-side down on the cool side. Cook for 2-4 hours (depending on type and heat consistency), turning occasionally, until tender.
6. Smoker: Follow smoker instructions, maintaining temperature around 225-250°F (107-121°C) for 3-5 hours until tender.
7. Sauce & Finish: Carefully remove ribs from foil (if using oven) or move to direct heat (if grilling). Brush generously with BBQ sauce.
8. Oven: Increase oven temp to 350°F (175°C) or use broiler. Return unwrapped, sauced ribs to oven/broiler for 10-15 minutes, or until sauce is bubbly and caramelized. Watch carefully under broiler.
9. Grill: Move sauced ribs over direct medium heat. Grill for a few minutes per side, brushing with more sauce, until caramelized and slightly charred.
10. Rest & Serve: Let ribs rest for 10 minutes before slicing between the bones and serving with extra BBQ sauce.

What Makes It Special

Barbecue ribs are a cornerstone of American barbecue culture, with distinct regional styles (Memphis, Kansas City, Texas, Carolinas). Whether slow-smoked, grilled, or oven-baked, the goal is tender, fall-off-the-bone meat coated in a flavorful rub and often finished with a tangy, sweet, or spicy barbecue sauce. They represent outdoor gatherings, summer celebrations, and deeply satisfying, hands-on eating."