Faux Bbq Baby Back Ribs

Satisfy your craving for smoky, tender barbecue without firing up the grill with these delicious Faux BBQ Baby Back Ribs! This recipe features boneless pork ribs—or a plant-based rib alternative—for a versatile dish that suits any diet. A bold dry spice rub made with paprika, brown sugar, and a hint of cayenne pepper infuses the ribs with rich, smoky flavors, while a low-and-slow oven bake ensures they’re irresistibly tender. Finished with a generous coat of tangy BBQ sauce and caramelized to sticky perfection, these "faux" ribs boast all the flavor you love in classic barbecue, no smoker required. Perfect for weeknight dinners or relaxed get-togethers, serve them with sides like coleslaw or cornbread for the ultimate comfort meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 55/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:180 mins

Total Time:195 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pounds Boneless pork ribs (or plant-based rib alternative)
• 1 tablespoon Paprika
• 2 tablespoons Brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
• 1.5 teaspoons Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1.5 cups BBQ sauce (your favorite brand or homemade)
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 0.5 cup Water

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C). Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top of it.

Step 2

In a small bowl, mix together the paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper to create a dry spice rub.

Step 3

Pat the boneless pork ribs (or your rib alternative) dry with paper towels. Drizzle olive oil over the ribs and rub it in to coat evenly.

Step 4

Sprinkle the spice rub generously over the ribs, ensuring all sides are well coated. Press the rub into the meat for better adhesion.

Step 5

Arrange the ribs in a single layer on the prepared baking rack. Pour the water into the bottom of the baking sheet (not directly on the ribs) to create a bit of moisture during baking.

Step 6

Cover the entire baking sheet with aluminum foil, making sure it is sealed tightly to trap the steam. This helps to tenderize the ribs.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven for 2.5 hours. Check after 2 hours to make sure there is still some water in the bottom of the pan. Add a bit more if necessary.

Step 8

After 2.5 hours, remove the foil and brush both sides of the ribs generously with BBQ sauce.

Step 9

Increase the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C) and return the ribs to the oven, uncovered, for an additional 20-25 minutes. This allows the BBQ sauce to caramelize and develop sticky, flavorful edges.

Step 10

Remove the ribs from the oven and allow them to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Serve with extra BBQ sauce on the side and your favorite sides like coleslaw, cornbread, or baked beans.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1453 grams (1453.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3307

Total Fat 211.60g	271%
Saturated Fat 68.10g	341%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 635mg	212%
Sodium 7120mg	310%
Total Carbohydrate 200.30g	73%
Dietary Fiber 5.80g	21%
Total Sugars 172.00g
Protein 168.30g	337%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 251mg	19%
Iron 12mg	66%
Potassium 3028mg	64%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 56.4%

Protein: 19.9%

Carbs: 23.7%