Easy Mouthwatering Fall Off the Bone BBQ Ribs

There’s nothing quite like the smoky, sweet, and savoury flavours of BBQ ribs. The secret to these easy mouthwatering fall off the bone BBQ ribs lies in two elements. A slow roast and a delicious and super simple homemade sauce. Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of this homemade BBQ sauce, it comes together to make something that’s sure to impress even the pickiest eater. Using brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, and garlic, this sauce will give your ribs a delicious glaze that’s both rich and tantalizing. I love a good sweet and savory dish and this one of those.

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What is the difference between back ribs and side ribs?

Side ribs also known as spare ribs come from the side and into the belly section of the pig. They sit below the back ribs. Usually, the rack is bigger in size and contains a good amount of bones, fat and cartilage. You might think this is a bad thing but all the elements make for juicy, flavourful meet in between the bones. It is considered to be the cut that has the most flavour.

You might see St. Louis Style ribs, this means that the breastbone and overly chewy cartilage have been removed and you are left with a flat, rectangular cut of ribs.

On the other hand, back ribs or baby back ribs, do not come from baby pigs but instead the “baby” refers to the smaller size of the rack. These ribs come from the upper rib cage of the animal and are attached to spine on one side and the side ribs on the other. Butchers usually now leave some off the loin meat on top of the ribs which makes baby back ribs more expensive.

Should you boil or bake your ribs before throwing them on the grill?

Ribs are tough cut of meat. So, to ensure you get fall of the bone ribs you need to first tenderize them somehow. Two of the most common ways are to either simmer them for a few minutes or to pop in the oven on a low heat for 2-3 hours.

Many might think boiling is the right way to go about tenderizing your ribs but there two things to keep in mind. If you simmer your ribs, this will help breakdown the meat. If you boil them, this might further toughen the ribs, as this might firm up the meat instead of breaking it down. You also want to make sure you don’t simmer your ribs for too long. The longer you simmer your ribs the more flavour they will lose and the drier they might get. Bring your water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 15-20 minutes.

The other method you can use to tenderize your ribs, is to bake them covered in the oven over low heat for 2-3 hours. You can either place your ribs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and cover them aluminum foil or you can stack the ribs one on top of each other and wrap them in little packet with aluminum foil. You want to cover or seal the moisture in, that is why you cover them with the aluminum foil. You then want to bake them at 275°F (135°C) for 2.5 hours and let them rest with the oven closed for another 30 mins.

What you will need to make succulent fall off the bone ribs:

• 2 racks of pork ribs (about 4-5 pounds)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup soy sauce (I like to use a low sodium one)
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• A baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Aluminum foil
• Basting or pastry brush

How to prepare your ribs:

1. Begin by preheating your oven to 275°F(135°C).
2. Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs for better flavor absorption and tenderness. Sometimes this membrane is removed from the butcher.
3. Cut your racks into thirds, which will make it easier to BBQ them.
4. Season the ribs with salt and pepper to taste on both sides.
5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place your rib pieces on the parchment paper. Cover and seal the pan with aluminum foil.
6. Place in pre-heated oven for 2.5 hours. After 2.5 hours, turn off the oven and let the ribs rest for another 30 minutes.

Make the succulent BBQ sauce

1. While your ribs are cooking, mix the brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup and minced garlic, in a medium bowl.
2. Mix for a minute or two until all the ingredients are nice and incorporated.
3. Let the sauce rest until the ribs are fully cooked.

BBQ the ribs

1. Preheat your grill.
2. Once the ribs are cooked to perfection, and are fall off the bone, you are ready to sauce them up. You will know they are ready when the meat starts to retreat from the bone and more of the bone is visible at the ends.
3. Brush the sauce all over the ribs.
4. Place the ribs on the grill, flipping them every few minutes. You want to the sauce to start caramelizing and bits and pieces to start charring. Make sure not overcook them or burn them. Remember, your ribs are already cooked you are barbecuing them simply to caramelize the sauce and to give them that charred, smoky flavour we all love in BBQ. Also, sugar burns easily so keep a close eye on the ribs. You might find it helpful to place them on indirect heat.
5. As your barbecuing the ribs keep basting or adding more of the left over sauce until you have used it all up.
6. Serve hot with your favorite sides, like coleslaw, potato salad, corn on the cob or this fresh bean salad.

For the full step-by-step video, please visit https://youtu.be/rBUUQA4j88Q.

Making BBQ ribs at home doesn’t have to be hard or intimidating. With this simple yet flavourful homemade BBQ sauce, you’ll elevate your rib game to new heights. The combination of sweet brown sugar, tangy ketchup, umami-rich soy sauce, and aromatic garlic creates a sauce that’s perfectly balanced and utterly delicious and comes together to make these easy mouthwatering fall off the bone BBQ ribs. So, fire up the grill and get ready for a mouthwatering feast!

This recipe was passed down from my mom. We have been enjoying these ribs as a family for years. I hope this recipe can become a part of your family’s memories. Enjoy these delicious mouth watering ribs, share them with your friends and family and please leave a comment down below! Happy grilling!