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Tender BBQ Ribs Recipe Easy Homemade Zesty Dry Rub for Perfect Flavor

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This recipe features tender pork back ribs seasoned with a zesty homemade dry rub that delivers melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and bold smoky flavor. Perfect for backyard cookouts or cozy dinners, it uses simple pantry staples and a low and slow cooking method.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2–3 pounds pork back ribs, trimmed of excess fat and membrane removed
  • 2 tablespoons paprika (smoked paprika preferred)
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C) or prepare your grill for indirect heat at the same temperature.
  2. Remove the thin membrane from the back of the ribs if not done already. Pat the ribs dry with paper towels.
  3. In a mixing bowl, combine paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, chili powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and lemon zest. Mix until evenly blended.
  4. Rub 1 tablespoon of olive oil evenly over both sides of the ribs to help the dry rub stick better.
  5. Generously sprinkle the dry rub mixture over the ribs, pressing gently to adhere.
  6. Set the ribs bone-side down on a wire rack placed over a foil-lined baking sheet.
  7. Cover loosely with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 2½ to 3 hours until ribs are tender and meat pulls away from the bones.
  8. Optional: Remove foil and broil for 3-5 minutes or grill over direct heat for a few minutes per side to caramelize the crust, watching closely to avoid burning.
  9. Let ribs rest for 10 minutes before slicing between the bones to allow juices to redistribute.

Notes

If ribs dry out during cooking, spritz lightly with apple juice or water every hour to maintain moisture. Removing the membrane is essential for tenderness. Rest ribs before slicing to keep them juicy. For a caramelized crust, broil or grill briefly at the end. The recipe is naturally gluten-free if chili powder and paprika are additive-free.

Nutrition

Keywords: BBQ ribs, dry rub, pork ribs, tender ribs, homemade barbecue, smoky ribs, easy ribs recipe, backyard cookout, zesty ribs

Find it online: https://lirafood.com/tender-bbq-ribs-recipe-easy-homemade-zesty-dry-rub-for-perfect-flavor/