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Handwritten recipe card for barbecued spare ribs
These Barbecued Spare Ribs are a hearty, savory dish featuring meaty pork ribs oven-roasted with fresh lemon and onion, then slow-baked in a tangy, homemade barbecue-style sauce. The sauce infuses the ribs with deep flavor and a rich, sticky glaze. The result is tender, flavorful ribs that are perfect for casual family dinners or backyard-inspired meals.
This recipe brings together the bold, comforting flavors of classic barbecue while using the convenience of the oven, making it a versatile option when grilling isn't possible.
This particular version leans toward a Mid-Century, home-style take on barbecue, where the smoky outdoor grill is replaced by the oven, yet the essence of barbecue,sweet, tangy, spicy, and smoky flavors,is preserved through the sauce.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Basting with sauce 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, barbecue
Servings 4
Calories 1359 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
 

Preheat Oven:

  • Set your oven to 450°F (232°C).

Prepare Ribs:

  • Place the rib pieces in a shallow roasting pan, meaty side up.

Add Lemon and Onion:

  • Top each rib piece with a slice of unpeeled lemon and a thin slice of onion.

Initial Roasting:

  • Roast the ribs in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.

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.

Reduce Oven Temperature:

  • After the initial roasting, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (177°C).

Add Sauce to Ribs:

  • Pour the boiling sauce evenly over the ribs in the roasting pan.

Continue Baking:

  • Return the pan to the oven and bake the ribs for about 1 hour, or until they are tender.

Baste Regularly:

  • Every 15 minutes during baking, baste the ribs with the sauce from the pan to keep them moist and flavorful.

Adjust Sauce Consistency:

  • If the sauce becomes too thick during baking, add a bit more water to maintain a desirable consistency.

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

  • Membrane Removal: For more tender ribs, consider removing the thin membrane on the bone side before cooking.
  • Marination: For enhanced flavor, you can marinate the ribs in the sauce for a few hours or overnight before cooking.
  • Grill Finish: For a smoky flavor and caramelized exterior, finish the ribs on a grill over medium heat for a few minutes on each side after baking.
  • Side Dishes: Pair these ribs with classic sides like coleslaw, cornbread, or baked beans for a complete meal.

Nutrition

Calories: 1359kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 72gFat: 106gSaturated Fat: 34gPolyunsaturated Fat: 18gMonounsaturated Fat: 39gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 365mgSodium: 1313mgPotassium: 1555mgFiber: 2gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 482IUVitamin C: 22mgCalcium: 122mgIron: 6mg
Keyword Barbecue, Ribs
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