Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

Recipes

Tender Barbecued Ribs, Made in the Oven

May 22, 2013

These are not the world's greatest ribs. Is that a strange way to start? Let me explain. I'm convinced that the best way to cook ribs is for about 3 hours at 225 in a smoker (depending on the type of rib, with a proper rub and stuff). Do I own a smoker? You bet I do. I love it. Love. It. Can't say enough how much I love cooking in my smoker. Do you have a smoker? Chances are, probably not. Also, cleaning my smoker is a huge pain that I'm not usually willing to go through unless we have a crowd coming over. It's for this reason I created this recipe - it doesn't need a smoker. And, bonus, it's still incredible. So, even though they may not be the world's greatest ribs, they just might be the world's greatest ribs cooked in an oven. Maybe? Here's what you need:

Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil
Pork Ribs
1 Onion for each rack of ribs you're cooking (1/2 onion if doing baby back ribs)
2 Apples for each rack of ribs
Garlic powder
Cinnamon
Ancho Chili Powder (I cook with this a lot)
Cumin
Salt
Black Pepper
This Barbecue Sauce

My favorite rib is the St. Louis style. Unfortunately my grocer ran out so I went with a slab of spare ribs (my second favorite). St. Louis are just spare ribs that have had the extra meat trimmed off and the ribs cut evenly. You could also do baby backs, though you would drop the cooking temp about 15 degrees and cut the cooking time by maybe 45 minutes (less meat, doesn't need as much time). But whatever type of rib you choose, one thing I always suggest is to remove the silver skin on the bony side of the ribs. Some people leave it on, but I find it terribly unappealing. If you try to pull them off with your bare hands, you'll have a heck-uv-a time, as those things are super slimy. The best way to do it is to grab the silver skin with a paper towel and just pull at it until it comes off. If you miss little tiny pieces don't stress out about it - just do the best you can. Like so:

Once you have the silver skin off, set to work on making your packets. Think of it as a giant tin foil dinner (which, now that I think about it, this would make awesome camping food). Assemble like so:

Two layers of tin foil on the bottom, and make them long enough to extend 4-6 inches on either side of the ribs when the ribs are laid on top of them. If using regular aluminum foil instead of heavy duty, maybe do 3 layers. The extra layer(s) will protect from your oven rack ripping the tin foil and spilling liquid all over the place. Cut up an entire onion and spread it around on the bottom. Drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil (low heat cooking method, so it's ok), place the ribs on top of the onion, sprinkle with your seasonings (only put a tiny bit of cinnamon --we don't want people to say, "Hey that's cinnamon in there!" We want them to say, "I know that flavor...what is that?"--, then place the cut up apples on top of the ribs. You do it this way because: A- being surrounded with onion and apple will infuse the meat with flavor, and B- if there's any burning going on, the onion and apple will take the brunt of it and protect your meat. Place one more layer of tin foil on top of it all, and start folding up the corners, crimping and creating a tight seal.

And in the oven it goes, 315 degrees for 3.5 hours (2.5 or so with baby backs).

I made two racks. What? We had company. I'm serious, we had company.

After 3.5 hours, take the ribs out and carefully open the packet by unfolding the edges and lifting the top off. Watch out for the steam - it'll getcha. Using a pair of tongs, remove the apple slices from the top of the ribs, and carefully transfer the ribs onto a baking sheet, meaty side down. Then, using the tongs, remove the onion pieces. Just discard the apples, onions and tin foil packet. They've served their purpose. Now I like my ribs sauced, and unlike my chicken wings, I like to cook my sauce a little after I put it on the ribs. My preference is to do this on the grill and get a nice char, but the broiler in the oven does a great job too, and that's how I did it this time. So put some sauce on the bony side, then put it under your broiler for a few minutes until it starts to caramelize. Then flip the ribs over, sauce the meaty side and stick it under the broiler, again until it starts to caramelize. Careful not to let the sugars burn too much - it'll taste bitter.

Remove from the oven, cut them up, pour some more sauce on if you like, and get eatin'!

Remember, NOBODY stays clean eating ribs - they're like, the great equalizer. So dig in and embrace the fact that, with these ribs, the biggest mess you'll need to clean up is the one on your face.

PS. - For you healthier folk, worry not. I have some awesome barbecue chicken lettuce wraps that I'll share on Friday. Cheers.

— Hide Comments
+ ShowComments
What do you think?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. This is how my husband cooks his ribs (minus the onions and apples - I am going to have to show him your recipe :)) they are so delicious and tender.
    Also, I hate handling raw meat but I love taking the silver skin off of ribs. I find it so satisfying - it is my only contribution in the kitchen when he makes ribs. haha.

What We're

Loving

Right Now

What We're

Loving

Right Now

Looking for our favorite things? A place to shop our home room by room, or just catch up on what Julia's wearing / loving right now? Browse the CLJ shop
Shop All

Love Stories

Love Where You Live

In an industry that often feels designed to make you discontent, we want this to be place you come for inspiration, ideas, and encouragement to make the space you're already in feel like home.
Read All Posts
let's break this thing up

BROWSE BY CATEGORY

01

Portfolio

Befores, afters, mood boards, plans, failures, wins. We’ve done a lot of projects, and they’re all here.
read more
02

Projects

We have a long-standing relationship with DIY, and love rolling our sleeves up and making it happen.
read more
03

Design

Even when you don’t want to rip down a wall, you can make that space in your home better. Right now.
read more
hello world!

looking for inspiration?

Beautifully wrapped traditional presents stacked in a doorway
Gift Guides!

Holiday Gift Guides for Everyone in Your Life {2024}

Remember the thrill of unwrapping a gift that felt just right? Let's bring that magic back this holiday season!! Our curated gift guides for 2024 are filled with thoughtful picks that will make your loved ones feel special. That's what it's all about, after all. Whether you're shopping for your main guy, your clutch coworker, […]
Modern traditional kitchen with marble island and gold barstools
round up

The Best Cyber Monday Deals for Holiday Hosting

This post is sponsored by Wayfair. By the time Cyber Monday rolls around, I've usually grabbed the Christmas gifts I plan to buy for others and have moved on to home decor (my other favorite thing to shop for). My head is spinning with ideas on what my home needs for holiday parties on the […]
Sales

The Best Black Friday + Cyber Monday Deals in 2024

We collected all of the best deals of the holiday season—from tech to home decor—in one place for easy reference. Whether you want the lowest price on one of the best gifts of the year or you have a furniture item in your cart waiting for a discount, we’ve rounded up our recommendations. We're also […]
A white dish of peppermint brownies next to a red & white tea towel
Chris Cooks

Holiday Peppermint Brownies (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

Baking Dish | Striped Dish Towel (similar) I have a few recipes that are perfect for the holidays, and this is one of them. I make a really delicious brownie that can be made gluten-free and dairy-free, but you won't even know it's missing those elements when the peppermint flavor hits. It's really simple, and […]
Learn With Us
Want to do what we do? Get the tools, mentorship, and training to be a Good Influencer professionally.
Learn More
Looking for Something?

SEARCH THE BLOG

We've been doing this since 2009 and we've posted a whopping 24145+ blog posts and counting. You might need a little help searching, huh?

Can We Send You Our Love Letter?

Another way for us to stay in touch! Joining our weekly newsletter gives you access to exclusive content, never-before-seen photos, your questions answered, and our favorite DIYs. Sign up below!

hello world!
Follow Along on Instagram
Welcome to our online community where we've posted home, DIY, style, renovations, and family since '09. Renovating our #cljmoderncottage in Idaho and headed for new adventures in Raleigh, NC. #cljfam #cljtransformations
© 2024 Chris Loves Julia, LLC
PRIVACY POLICYTERMS & CONDITIONSAFFILIATE DISCLAIMERSITE CREDITCOMMUNITY GUIDELINES