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Tender Smoky Chipotle Baby Back Ribs

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A quick and easy 5-step recipe for tender, smoky, and flavorful baby back ribs with a chipotle marinade that caramelizes to perfection.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 racks baby back ribs (about 2 to 2.5 pounds or 900 to 1135 grams)
  • 2–3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped with 2 tablespoons adobo sauce
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1½ teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
  • Juice of 1 lime

Instructions

  1. Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs by sliding a knife under it and pulling it off. Trim any excess fat and pat the ribs dry with paper towels. (10 minutes)
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine chopped chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, pepper, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, honey, and lime juice. Mix until well blended. (5 minutes)
  3. Rub the marinade generously over both sides of the ribs. Wrap the ribs tightly in plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, ideally overnight. (Hands-on: 10 minutes, marinating time varies)
  4. Preheat oven to 275°F (135°C). Place the ribs on a foil-lined baking sheet, cover tightly with foil to seal in moisture. Bake for 2 to 2½ hours until the meat is tender and almost falling off the bone. (2 hours 30 minutes)
  5. Remove foil and brush ribs with any remaining marinade or extra honey for glaze. Increase oven to 425°F (220°C) or preheat your grill. Cook uncovered for 10-15 minutes to caramelize the outside, watching closely to avoid burning. (15 minutes)
  6. Let the ribs rest for 10 minutes before slicing to lock in juices.

Notes

Remove the membrane for tenderness. Marinate overnight for best flavor. Cook low and slow for tender ribs. Watch closely when caramelizing at high heat to avoid burning. Use a meat thermometer to check for internal temperature of about 190°F (88°C). If ribs are not tender enough after slow bake, cook an additional 30 minutes wrapped in foil. Let ribs rest 10 minutes before slicing.

Nutrition

Keywords: baby back ribs, chipotle ribs, smoky ribs, BBQ ribs, easy ribs recipe, chipotle marinade, backyard BBQ, tender ribs

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