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Barbecued Spare Ribs
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.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 490 kcal

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
Keyword Barbecue, BBQ Side, comfort food, family dinner, homemade sauce, oven ribs, pork, Ribs, vintage recipe
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