The Sweetest Apple Butter BBQ Ribs Recipe You’ll Ever Make
Succulent apple butter BBQ ribs promise a flavor adventure that’ll make your taste buds dance with excitement.
Pork lovers understand the magic of slow-cooked meat infused with sweet and smoky notes.
Tender ribs glazed in rich, caramelized apple butter create a mouthwatering centerpiece for any gathering.
Homemade barbecue sauce brings depth and complexity to each delectable bite.
Regional spices and carefully selected ingredients elevate this classic dish beyond ordinary expectations.
Marinades work their charm, transforming ordinary ribs into a culinary masterpiece that feels both comforting and innovative.
Trust this recipe to deliver an unforgettable meal that sparks conversation and leaves everyone craving more.
What Goes into Apple Butter BBQ Ribs
Meat:Dry Rub Spices:Sauce Ingredients:Cooking Essentials:Cooking Directions for Apple Butter Ribs
Step 1: Prepare the Oven
Fire up your oven to a low and slow 275°F.
This gentle heat will help break down the tough meat fibers and make your ribs melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Step 2: Tackle the Membrane
Peel off the tough membrane from the back of the ribs.
This crucial step ensures your seasonings penetrate deeply and keeps the meat from becoming chewy.
Step 3: Mix the Flavor Explosion
Create a spice blend that’ll make your taste buds dance:Step 4: Massage the Seasonings
Rub the spice mixture all over the ribs, getting into every nook and cranny.
Press the seasonings into the meat like you’re giving it a deep tissue massage.
Step 5: Wrap and Seal
Completely encase the ribs in aluminum foil, creating a tight seal that locks in all the juicy goodness.
Step 6: Slow Roast to Perfection
Bake the wrapped ribs for 2.5 to 3 hours.
The meat should become so tender it’s practically falling off the bone.
Step 7: Whip Up the Sauce Magic
Combine these sauce ingredients in a saucepan:Step 8: Simmer the Sauce
Let the sauce bubble gently for about 15 minutes.
It should thicken and develop a rich, complex flavor.
Step 9: Crank Up the Heat
Boost the oven temperature to 400°F and get ready for the final flavor transformation.
Step 10: Sauce It Up
Carefully unwrap the ribs and generously brush them with the apple butter BBQ sauce.
Cover every inch for maximum flavor.
Step 11: Caramelize and Crisp
Return the ribs to the oven uncovered.
Bake for 10-15 minutes until the sauce becomes beautifully caramelized with slightly charred edges.
Step 12: Rest and Serve
Let the ribs rest for 5-10 minutes.
Slice into portions and serve with extra sauce on the side for those who love an extra flavor punch.
Rib Tips for Great Results
Storing Apple Butter Ribs Right
Serve These with Apple Butter Ribs
Rib Recipe Styles Worth Trying
FAQs
The membrane prevents seasonings from penetrating the meat and makes ribs tough. Removing it allows better flavor absorption and creates more tender, delicious ribs.
Apple butter provides a unique sweet and tangy flavor. Substituting it might change the sauce’s taste profile, so stick with apple butter for the best results.
The ribs are done when the meat starts pulling away from the bones and feels tender when pierced with a fork. This typically happens after 2.5 to 3 hours of slow cooking at low temperature.
Cayenne adds a subtle heat to the ribs. If you’re sensitive to spice, you can reduce the amount or omit it completely without compromising the overall flavor of the dish.
Why You’ll Love Apple Butter Ribs
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Apple Butter BBQ Ribs Recipe
- Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Succulent ribs slathered in homemade apple butter bbq sauce bring rustic Southern comfort to your dinner table. Slow-cooked meat falls effortlessly from the bone, promising a rich, tangy experience you’ll savor with every delicious bite.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 2 racks baby back ribs (about 4–5 pounds total)
- 1 cup apple butter
- 0.5 cup BBQ sauce
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt
- Black pepper
Liquid Ingredients:
- 0.25 cup (60 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 275°F, preparing a low and slow cooking environment for maximum meat tenderness.
- Carefully strip the membrane from the ribs’ backside, ensuring better flavor absorption and more tender meat texture.
- Create a robust dry rub by combining smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl.
- Massage the spice blend thoroughly onto both sides of the ribs, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Encase the seasoned ribs completely in aluminum foil, creating a sealed packet that will help retain moisture during cooking.
- Position the wrapped ribs on a baking sheet and roast for 2.5 to 3 hours until the meat becomes exceptionally tender and begins separating from the bone.
- During the cooking process, craft the apple butter BBQ sauce by blending apple butter, BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce in a saucepan.
- Reduce the sauce over medium-low heat for approximately 15 minutes, stirring periodically to develop a rich, concentrated flavor profile.
- After removing the ribs, rapidly increase oven temperature to 400°F for the final caramelization stage.
- Open the foil packets carefully, then lavishly coat the ribs with the prepared apple butter BBQ sauce.
- Return the sauced ribs to the oven uncovered, allowing 10-15 minutes for the sauce to caramelize and develop slight charred edges.
- Allow the ribs to rest for 5-10 minutes after removing from the oven, then slice into individual portions and serve with additional sauce for drizzling.
Notes
- Gently slide a knife under the membrane and pull it off with a paper towel for easier grip.
- Let the dry rub sit on the ribs for 30 minutes before cooking to enhance meat penetration and taste depth.
- If the BBQ sauce becomes too thick, thin it with a splash of apple cider or water for smooth application.
- For those without an oven, use a slow cooker or grill with indirect heat, maintaining low temperatures for tender results.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Olivia Bennett
Recipe Developer & Culinary Educator
Expertise
Education
Schoolcraft College
With an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts from Schoolcraft College and a natural knack for teaching, Olivia Bennett’s all about making home cooking feel possible, even on your busiest day.
Her thing? Recipes that are budget-friendly, season-forward, and full of Southern warmth. Whether it’s a roasted veggie bowl or a five-ingredient skillet bake, Olivia makes sure it’s simple, satisfying, and something you’ll want to make again tomorrow.
When she’s not shooting step-by-step videos or testing spice blends, she’s out foraging, flipping through old cookbooks, or throwing laid-back dinner parties with a BYO-mason-jar theme.