Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs

Dive into Deliciousness: Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs for the Win

These Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, destined to become the star of your next gathering. Imagine: tender, succulent ribs practically falling off the bone, smothered in a homemade BBQ sauce that's bursting with flavor in every single bite. This recipe is a game-changer, perfect for any occasion, from casual weekend dinners to celebratory family gatherings or even a showstopping addition to your Super Bowl party spread.

What Makes These Ribs the Undisputed Champion of Flavor?

• Slow Cooker Simplicity: This recipe leverages the magic of your slow cooker, allowing the ribs to cook low and slow for an extended period. This hands-off approach ensures the ribs cook to absolute perfection, achieving that coveted fall-off-the-bone tenderness we all crave.
• Homemade BBQ Sauce – Because Store-Bought Just Doesn't Cut It: Ditch the generic store-bought sauces! This recipe boasts a simple, yet incredibly flavorful, homemade BBQ sauce. Crafted with pantry staples like ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, and mustard, it strikes the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory, creating an irresistible glaze for your ribs.
• Guaranteed Crowd-Pleaser: There's no question about it – these oven-baked BBQ ribs are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. They're incredibly easy to prepare, requiring minimal effort on your part. Yet, the end result is a dish that explodes with flavor and is sure to satisfy even the pickiest eaters at your table.

Ingredients for Your BBQ Rib Bonanza:

For the Homemade BBQ Sauce:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
• ¾ cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar, if preferred)
• 2 tablespoons prepared mustard
• 1 tablespoon salt

For the Melt-in-Your-Mouth Ribs:

• 2 pounds bone-in beef back ribs

Step-by-Step Guide to Rib-tastic Perfection:

1. Craft the Savory Sauce: In your trusty slow cooker, combine all the ingredients for the BBQ sauce – water, ketchup, tomato paste, brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, and salt. Using a whisk or spoon, give it a good stir to ensure everything is well incorporated, especially the brown sugar and salt. Make sure they're completely dissolved to avoid any gritty texture in the finished sauce.
2. Coat the Ribs: Add the beef back ribs to the slow cooker. Gently toss the ribs to coat them evenly with the flavorful BBQ sauce you just created. Ensure every nook and cranny of the ribs is coated for maximum flavor distribution.
3. Slow Cooker Magic: Set your slow cooker to low heat and cover it with the lid. Now comes the easy part – let the slow cooker work its magic! Allow the ribs to cook for 8 hours on low heat. This slow and low cooking process is the key to achieving fall-off-the-bone tenderness. The extended cooking time allows the collagen in the ribs to break down beautifully, resulting in melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness.
4. Ready to Serve!: Once the 8-hour cooking time is complete, your oven-baked BBQ ribs are ready to be devoured! Carefully remove the ribs from the slow cooker using tongs or a slotted spoon. Now it's time to enjoy the fruits (or should we say ribs?) of your labor. Serve them immediately with your favorite BBQ sides for a finger-licking good meal.

Pro Tip: Take it Up a Notch with Broiling: For an extra caramelized and crispy finish on the outside of your ribs, you can transfer them to a baking sheet after removing them from the slow cooker. Broil them on high for a few minutes, keeping a close eye on them to avoid burning. This step is optional, but it adds a delightful textural contrast to the tender ribs and allows for a bit of caramelization on the sauce for an extra burst of flavor.

With this Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs recipe in your arsenal, you can create a winning dish that will have your guests raving and coming back for more! So fire up your slow cooker, gather your favorite BBQ sides, and get ready to enjoy a delicious and impressive meal that's sure to become a new favorite.