Baby Back Ribs with Honey BBQ Sauce

Honey BBQ Ribs

July 4: American Independence Day; National Barbecued Spareribs Day

Happy birthday, United States! Many Americans traditionally celebrate this holiday by watching patriotic parades and fireworks and barbecuing burgers or hot dogs. Since today coincides with National Barbecued Spareribs Day, another option is to barbecue some spareribs!  We have tried dry rubs and wet saucy ribs during our travels across the country, but we personally prefer the sweet and sticky style pork baby back ribs, like the ones served at Tony Roma’s restaurants.  Instead of buying their BBQ sauce at the gift shop, we decided to make our own “Carolina Honeys” sauce at home. We don’t have a grill—yet—so we baked the ribs in the oven.  But they were just as flavorful—and fabulous for the Fourth of July!

Recipe

(Adapted from Recipe Zaar)

Ingredients

  • 1 rack of pork baby back spareribs
  • salt and pepper
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • ½ cup white vinegar
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • ½ teaspoon liquid smoke
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder and Tabasco sauce

Directions

In a small saucepan, combine all ingredients and mix well over medium heat. Reduce heat to simmer for 30 minutes or until the sauce thickens. Reserve some for basting and some for dipping.

Honey BBQ Ribs

Season ribs with salt and pepper. Grill or bake the ribs until cooked. Half an hour before they are done, baste with the sauce. Cut the ribs between the bones before plating. Serve with extra dipping sauce.

Honey BBQ Ribs

Notes