BBQ Baby Back Ribs

These easy-to-make Coffee Brushed Barbecue Ribs are boldly seasoned and smoked to tender perfection (in the oven) with the quintessential bark on the outside! Grill season has never been better!

Grilling… And Other Lessons From Dad

Looking back on my childhood, there are certain things about my dad that stand in the forefront of my mind. Good things.

The funny little nicknames he would call us. The father-daughter camp-outs. Sitting with him in a floral velvet chair, reading bedtime stories.

Dad’s ability to weave a memory into a colorful tale of years past. He could make some of the horrors of his own childhood sound like classic fairytales!

His “workshop”, which was the corner of our garage, where he made wooden things. Mostly little cars, name plates and Christmas ornaments. Dad’s love of history and antiques.

Dad’s obsession for coffee, at least 2 pots a day. And of course, his extensive coffee cup collection to keep up with the addiction.

Dad’s love for grilling and smoking meat. He had an enormous smoking cabinet that was the envy of every man in our suburban neighborhood.

Along with fond memories and associations, my dad has taught me many important lessons over the years, both directly and indirectly. He taught me to say what I mean, and mean what I say. He taught me to work hard…without whining about it. He taught me that respect must be earned, not demanded.

He taught me that life doesn’t always dish out what you want, but you can still move forward with a positive attitude! He taught me that Faith, Integrity, and Extending Grace To Others, are the highest virtues one can hold.

Thankful doesn’t quite cover how I feel about him.

Baby Back Ribs in the Oven

Three aromas I always identify with my father are sawdust, coffee, and hickory-smoke.

Every time I smell one of these, I draw in a deep, placid breath and I’m immediately overcome with warm thoughts of him. It’s no wonder, that when I think of making a meal for dad, I feel the urge to combine large slabs of meat and coffee!

Baby Back Ribs on a smoker are truly delicious, but you don’t need a smoking cabinet of pellet grill to make amazing BBQ ribs.

You can easily “smoke” pork ribs in the oven. Then quickly grill (or sear them) oven high heat to create the signature crut on the outside. We’ll show you how!

Coffee Brushed Barbecue Ribs

Coffee BBQ Sauce offers a flavor combo that’s true to traditional (mid-western) BBQ sauces, plus a dark bitter undertone. The coffee, molasses, and whiskey add depth of flavor that is strikingly distinct. Slather this on tender, juicy baby back ribs and grill to produce a crusty bark.

The succulent shreds of pork and smoky, caramelized crust are a carnivorous monument, able to birth a sense of one’s proper place in the food chain.

Love you dad!

BBQ Baby Back Ribs Recipe (with Coffee BBQ Sauce)

If you don’t have a smoking cabinet like dad’s, improvise by steaming the Coffee Brushed Barbecue Ribs in the oven with a little liquid smoke to mimic the flavor.

Then grill them to crisp up the fat and develop that famous “bark” required of GOOD ribs. It works best on the gas grill, but you could also do this under the broiler–just be careful! Coffee BBQ Sauce burns FAST under the broiler!

Ingredients Checklist

For the Baby Back Ribs in the Oven:

• Chili powder
• Dried thyme
• Ground cumin
• Garlic powder (or onion powder)
• Salt and black pepper
• Cayenne pepper
• Baby back ribs
• Liquid smoke
• Oil

For the Coffee Barbecue Sauce:

• Cloves garlic, minced
• Cider vinegar
• Soy sauce
• Tomato puree
• Molasses
• Whiskey (or swap for apple cider vinegar)
• Brown sugar
• Instant coffee granules
• Ground cumin
• Dijon mustard
• Paprika
• Cayenne pepper

How To Make BBQ Baby Back Ribs

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Mix the spices in a small bowl.
2. Cut each pork rib rack into several pieces and rub the spices over all the rib sections. You can leave the ribs whole if you like the way they look better—I just think they are easier to handle on the grill in smaller pieces! Pour water and liquid smoke into a roasting pan.
3. Place the ribs in the pan, top side up. Tightly cover the pan with foil and bake for 2 hours, or until the rack of ribs are loose on the bone. Remove from the oven and rest until ready to grill.
4. Meanwhile, add oil to a saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes. Then add the rest of the ingredients for the BBQ sauce to the saucepan. Simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Heat a grill over medium-low heat. Brush the ribs entirely with BBQ sauce. Place them on the grill and cook for 20 minutes, turning and brushing every 5 minutes until the desired “bark” has developed.

Get the Full Printable BBQ Back Ribs Recipe with Coffee BBQ Sauce Below!

FAQ

Looking for More Grill Favorites? Be Sure to Try:

• Best Burnt Ends
• How to Make the Best Hamburger Patty
• Grilled Pork Chops
• How to Grill Salmon
• Grilled Artichokes with Miso Butter
• Grilled Blackened Mahi Mahi
• Grilled Vegetables Marinade
• Grilled Blackened Chicken
• Lemon Pepper Grilled Cod

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