Easy BBQ Ribs
While I love eating juicy, tender ribs in the summer, there is no chance you’ll catch me sweating over a BBQ or smoker all day. Today, I’m sharing with you my super Easy BBQ Ribs recipe that is ready to enjoy in an hour.
Sweet & Smoky BBQ Ribs Recipe
So I’m going to be really honest with you right now: if you’re looking for a BBQ ribs recipe that requires an entire afternoon babysitting a smoker and obsessively checking the temperature, you’re not going to find that here.
While I have a smoker, I honestly use it maybe 2-3 times a year, so I am definitely not the person you should consult for smoker recipes or pit-master style BBQing. If I have more than 10 minutes to myself, I’m hiding in my room and reading a book – not setting up the smoker.
However, you definitely don’t need to spend all afternoon babysitting a smoker or grill to get mouth-watering, fall-off-the-bone ribs.
These EASY BBQ ribs are everything you’d crave when thinking of succulent summer ribs. Tender, fall-apart ribs with a little bit of char and a sticky, rich glaze that hits all of the right flavor notes: a little sweet, a little heat, and that deep, smoky finish that makes your tastebuds do a happy dance.
Now, I don’t always add brown sugar (my daughter isn’t a fan of sweet on meat) however when I do, I love the caramelization that the brown sugar creates while cooking – forming a crust that seals in all of those juices. If you skip this, I’d recommend having some BBQ sauce ready to finish off the ribs.
Once you try these ribs you will see just how easy it is to get incredible, backyard-style BBQ flavor without going full pit master.
Tips to Cooking Ribs Quickly
- Allow ribs to rest after cooking: this allows you to cook at a high temperature but gives the meat a chance to retain it’s fat and juices. Cutting into them right away will cause all of those juices to end up on your cutting board.
- Remove the membrane on the back of your ribs: this thin, silvery skin on the back of the ribs can get tough when cooked. Slide a knife under it, grip with a paper towel, and peel it off. Totally worth the extra minute.
- Select smaller racks of ribs or cut into small sections
- Marinate the ribs overnight to ensure tender ribs despite high cooking temperatures
- Cook directly on the grill without any foil (you can also cook in the oven quickly)
How do I store leftover ribs? Let them cool completely, then pop them into an airtight container. They’ll last in the fridge for about 3–4 days, or in the freezer for up to 6 months. (This set of freezer containers is a crazy bargain.)
When you’re ready to reheat, a low oven temp (around 275°F) works best to bring them back to life without drying them out.
Can I make these ribs in the oven? Absolutely. While grilling adds that smoky char, the oven is a great option, especially in cooler months. Just make sure to broil at the end to get a little crisp on the outside.
How do I know when ribs are done cooking? While there are visual cues you can use to help determine if ribs are done cooking, I always use those in combination with checking the internal temperature of the meat with a meat thermometer and for grilled ribs I aim for a temperature of 190-200F. This is the meat thermometer I have been using for the past 6 years – I’ve never had to change a battery and it’s super sturdy and reliable. It was a bit pricey, but unlike the $15 models that you can buy, this one isn’t going to need replacement. It is waterproof and comes with a two-year warranty.
The visual cues that ribs are done cooking are that the meat starts receding from the bone and the whole rack will bend easily.
What to Serve Alongside BBQ Ribs:
- Macaroni Salad
- Copycat Chickfila Coleslaw
- Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
- Mexican Street Corn Salad
- Tender-crisp veggies (like brussels sprouts, broccoli, green beans)
- White Rice
- Pickles
- Grilled Pineapple from Dinner, then Dessert
- Grilled Peaches
- Pineapple Watermelon Salsa from The Soccer Mom Blog
- Cilantro Lime Rice from Kylee Cooks
Ingredients for Easy BBQ Ribs
- Pork Ribs
- Paprika
- White Pepper
- Cayenne Pepper
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Salt, to taste
- Olive Oil
- Apple Cider Vinegar, optional
- Brown Sugar, optional
- BBQ Sauce to finish, optional
Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.
Tip: you can bake the ribs at a lower 250ºF temperature for 3 hours, if you want them to be more tender.
Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful
- Casserole Dish
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Meat Thermometer
- Pastry brush <– I like these because they are one solid piece and don’t have removable heads for bacteria to get trapped underneath. Plus they are heat-resistant and have a lifetime warranty.
How to Make Easy BBQ Ribs – in the oven or on the grill
Preheat oven or grill to 375ºF.
Remove the thin membrane on the back of the ribs by pinching and pulling off. Discard the membrane.
Place the ribs on a tin foil lined baking sheet.
In a small bowl, mix together the seasonings (and optional brown sugar) and then rub all over the ribs.
Drizzle on olive oil and optional apple cider vinegar.
Bake or grill ribs for 1 hour, until an inserted thermometer reaches at least 145ºF – ideally, allow the ribs to cook to 190-200F.
Turn over the ribs every 10-15 minutes, adding more oil or BBQ sauce, if desired.
If baking, be sure to set the oven to broil for 2 minutes at the end of the cooking time to give the ribs a little char.
Pin this Easy BBQ Ribs recipe that can also be made in the oven on a rainy day:
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Easy One-Hour BBQ Ribs
Ingredients
- 3 lbs Pork Ribs
- 2 teaspoons Paprika
- 1 teaspoon White Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- Salt, to taste
- 3 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar, optional
- 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar, optional
- BBQ Sauce to finish, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven or grill to 375ºF.
- Remove the thin membrane on the back of the ribs by pinching and pulling off. Discard the membrane.
- Place the ribs on a tin foil lined baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, mix together the seasonings (and optional brown sugar) and then rub all over the ribs.
- Drizzle on olive oil and optional apple cider vinegar.
- Bake or grill ribs for 1 hour, until an inserted thermometer reaches at least 145ºF - ideally, allow the ribs to cook to 190-200F.
- Turn over the ribs every 10-15 minutes, adding more oil or BBQ sauce, if desired.
- If baking, be sure to set the oven to broil for 2 minutes at the end of the cooking time to give the ribs a little char.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 900Total Fat: 77gSaturated Fat: 22gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 37gCholesterol: 238mgSodium: 306mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 1gSugar: 4gProtein: 48g
Sugar, Spice and Glitter uses an auto-generate nutrition calculator. Nutrition information isn’t always accurate unless analyzed in a scientific lab, so these should be considered more of a guideline than medical information.
I hope your family loves this easy BBQ ribs recipe as much as mine does!
For more ways to enjoy pork, check out our full pork recipe collection here:
For more ways to serve beef, check out our full beef recipe collection here:
Jacana Life reminds me that sometimes the best things come from simplicity and patience—just like this BBQ ribs recipe. Whether it’s natural wellness or cooking, it’s all about authentic care and enjoying the process without stress. Embracing that easy, mindful approach makes every experience richer and more satisfying!
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