Barbecued spareribs are a timeless comfort dish, beloved across America for their tender texture and smoky-sweet glaze. This vintage recipe brings the flavor of early homemade barbecue to the oven, using a simple blend of ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, lemon, and a touch of Tabasco. The result is tender ribs coated in a tangy sauce that caramelizes beautifully as it bakes, perfect for weekend dinners or nostalgic family meals.
Ingredients
- 4 lbs pork spare ribs (cut in individual pieces)
- 1 lemon (large, unpeeled, sliced)
- 1 onion (large, thinly sliced)
- 1 cup ketchup
- ⅓ cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 dashes Tabasco sauce
- 2 cups water
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat Oven
- Set your oven to 450°F (232°C).
Step 2: Prepare Ribs:
- Place the rib pieces in a shallow roasting pan, meaty side up.
Step 3: Add Lemon and Onion:
- Top each rib piece with a slice of unpeeled lemon and a thin slice of onion.
Step 4: Initial Roasting:
- Roast the ribs in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
Step 5: Prepare Sauce:
- In a saucepan, combine the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, salt, Tabasco sauce, and water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
Step 6: Reduce Oven Temperature:
- After the initial roasting, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (177°C).
Step 7: Add Sauce to Ribs:
- Pour the boiling sauce evenly over the ribs in the roasting pan.
Step 8: Continue Baking:
- Return the pan to the oven and bake the ribs for about 1 hour, or until they are tender.
Step 9: Baste Regularly:
- Every 15 minutes during baking, baste the ribs with the sauce from the pan to keep them moist and flavorful.
Step 10: Adjust Sauce Consistency:
- If the sauce becomes too thick during baking, add a bit more water to maintain a desirable consistency.
Step 11: Serve:
- Once the ribs are tender and well-glazed, remove them from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
Tips
- Substitute pork ribs with beef short ribs for a heartier flavor.
- Add a tablespoon of brown sugar or honey for extra sweetness.
- For smoky flavor, finish ribs on a grill after baking.
- Use smoked paprika instead of chili powder for a richer taste.
- Store leftover sauce for up to 3 days in the fridge.
Nutrition
Calories: 490kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 38gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 850mgPotassium: 700mgFiber: 1gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 180IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 2.5mg
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