Fall Off the Bone BBQ Beef Ribs
Master the art of Fall Off the Bone BBQ Beef Ribs with this easy, flavorful recipe delivering tender, juicy ribs infused with smoky spices and a rich caramelized BBQ sauce. Perfect for any occasion, these ribs offer unmatched tenderness, simple ingredients, and versatile cooking methods that ensure a gourmet BBQ experience right at home.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 15 minutes + 4 hours marinating
- Cook Time: 3 to 4 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes plus marinating time
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow cooking (oven, grill, or smoker)
- Cuisine: American BBQ
- Diet: Gluten Free
Beef Ribs
- Meaty, well-marbled beef ribs (about 3-4 pounds)
BBQ Dry Rub
- 2 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Additional Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, for spritzing
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1–2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- Optional: 1 tsp liquid smoke or wood chips (if cooking indoors or on grill)
- Prepare the Ribs: Rinse the beef ribs under cold water and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels. Remove the thin membrane on the bone side carefully to ensure maximum tenderness and better absorption of flavors.
- Apply the Dry Rub: In a bowl, mix paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper. Drizzle olive oil over the ribs and massage the dry rub generously on all sides, coating every inch to lock in flavor.
- Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Wrap the seasoned ribs tightly in plastic wrap or place in a covered container and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, allowing the spices to deeply infuse the meat.
- Preheat Your Cooking Method: Preheat your smoker, oven, or grill to a low temperature of about 275°F (135°C) to prepare for slow cooking, which is key to achieving tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs.
- Cook the Ribs Slowly: Position the ribs bone-side down on the grill grate or baking tray. Maintain the temperature and cook for approximately 3 to 4 hours, occasionally spritzing with apple cider vinegar to keep the ribs moist and flavorful.
- Apply BBQ Sauce: During the last 30 minutes of cooking, brush a generous layer of your favorite BBQ sauce over the ribs. Drizzle honey or maple syrup on top to create a sticky, caramelized glaze.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the ribs from heat and loosely cover them with foil. Let them rest for 10 minutes to lock in the juices before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Low and slow: Cook at low temperature for an extended time to break down connective tissues thoroughly.
- Consistency with rub: Apply the dry rub generously to create a flavorful crust.
- Keep ribs moist: Regularly spritz with apple cider vinegar or a vinegar-water mix during cooking.
- Foil wrap option: Wrap ribs in foil after 2 hours with a splash of liquid to steam gently for extra tenderness.
- Rest before slicing: Rest the ribs to redistribute juices and enhance moistness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe (approx. 6 oz ribs)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 33g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: BBQ beef ribs, fall off the bone ribs, slow cooked beef ribs, smoky BBQ ribs, tender beef ribs, homemade BBQ, grilled ribs, oven baked ribs