Summertime is the season of barbecue... so it's time to learn how to make a barbecue classic. Even though ribs take time, they're well worth the effort, and these Memphis-Style Barbecue Ribs are PERFECT for any summer get-together. Seasoned with homemade barbecue dry rub, these ribs cook low and slow for hours. Finish this nod to the Memphis dry rib on the grill or in the broiler, and serve with traditional barbecue sides to complete the feast!
Prep Time 10 minutesminutes
Cook Time 7 hourshours
Total Time 7 hourshours10 minutesminutes
Servings 10large servings
Calories 943kcal
Ingredients
10lbs.baby back ribsabout 4-5 racks, depending on size
Preheat oven to 275°F. Line a roasting pan or a baking sheet with aluminum foil, and set aside. (This may require more than one pan if you're making a lot of ribs.)
Rinse ribs and pat dry with paper towels, and remove any silver skin from the backs. (You should be able to remove this with your fingers.)
If you want, trim the ribs into 4-5 rib sections.
Season the ribs liberally with Memphis-style barbecue rub. You'll use about 1 tablespoon per pound.
Arrange the ribs on the roasting pan or prepared baking sheet(s), and cover with aluminum foil. Transfer to the preheated oven, and bake for 5 hours.
Once the ribs have baked for 5 hours, remove from the oven. Brush the ribs with ¾ cup barbecue sauce, then sprinkle with additional barbecue rub.
Transfer the pan(s) back into the oven, and cook uncovered for an additional 2 hours or until the ribs are tender. The meat will start pulling off the bones, and once it does, you'll know your ribs are almost ready!
When the second bake is done, remove from the oven.
To finish on the grill
Preheat the grill to 350°-400°F.
Turn off the burners on the side where the ribs will be finished, as the barbecue sauce will cause them to catch fire.
Baste the ribs with an additional ¾ cup of the barbecue sauce, and grill until sticky sweet and darkened. (About 10-15 minutes.)
Sprinkle with additional barbecue rub to finish, and enjoy!
To finish in the broiler
Preheat the oven's broiler.
While the broiler is heating up, brush the ribs with an additional ¾ cup of the barbecue sauce.
When the broiler is screaming hot, transfer the ribs back into the oven, and broil for 8 minutes, or until the tops of the ribs are browned and sticky.
Remove from the oven, sprinkle with additional barbecue rub to finish, and enjoy!
Notes
You can easily double this recipe or half it. Keep in mind that you'll have to have enough space in your oven if you double it and that if you want to make a smaller batch, you're still going to be doing the same amount of work. Ribs are a labor of love, so it's worth making a bigger batch, in my opinion.