YUM! These are finger-lickin good baby back ribs - the meat is so tender that it falls off the bone as you lift them out of the pan. The sauce is sticky, sweet, tangy, with a little hit of chili - the Asian version of BBQ sauce. The secret to cooking the very best ribs is “low and slow.” Its so incredibly easy too - this recipe is practically fool-proof. You just have to try this out.

The only drawback is that the ribs cook for 3 hours, so you’ll have to plan accordingly. But once the ribs are in the oven, they stay there and you don’t have to fuss with them at all.

I’ve never made ribs any other way since. My recipe includes a sticky Asian BBQ sauce - however, I’ve also made these ribs with my husband’s favorite store-bought BBQ sauce “KC Masterpiece.” Either way, I know you’ll love these ribs…and I know you’ll never ever order ribs from a restaurant again because yours is going to taste so much better. If there was only one recipe that I had to choose as a “must try” - this is it!

Baby Back Ribs with Orange-Ginger Glaze

Baby Back Ribs (the quantity is up to you - although these ribs are SO delicious that everyone will want seconds! I usually go to my local warehouse store, BJs and purchase the “big momma” pack that includes 3 or 4 whole massive slabs and feeds 8. Plan on 6 ribs or more per person)

garlic salt & pepper

Asian Orange-Ginger Glaze

1 tsp grated ginger (use a microplane rasp grater)
1 T minced garlic
1/4 cup minced red onion
3/4 cup hoisin sauce*
1 large orange, peel zested with rasp grater & juiced (you should have 1/4 c of juice and about 2 T zest)
1 T mirin
1 T sambal (asian hot chili/garlic paste)
2 T yuzu sauce (you can substitute with lemon juice)

1. Preheat oven to 300. Pat the ribs dry and season both sides liberally with garlic salt and pepper. Place the ribs in a large roasting pan, overlapping is ok. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and place in oven. Roast 3 hours, up to 6 hours. If you are feeding less than 4 people, then check the ribs after 3 hours, they should be done.

2. To make the glaze: Heat a small saucepan over medium heat. Add 2 T canola oil, and when hot, add the red onion. Cook until the onion is soft, about 2-3 minutes. Add the garlic and the ginger. Cook another minute. Add the remaining ingredients, except for the yuzu sauce. Lower the heat to low and cook down the sauce until it thickens and reduces about 6-8 minutes. The sauce should be sticky and thick. Remove from heat and add the yuzu sauce (or lemon juice). You can also add more freshly grated ginger if you like for the extra kick.

3. The ribs are done when they fall off the bone. Trust me, you’ll know. Try picking up a rib and see how the meat just falls off. Place the ribs in a single layer - you may have to use a baking sheet. Brush the Asian Orange-Ginger Glaze on the tops of the ribs. Broil on high until the sauce bubbles and carmelizes, about 3-5 minutes. Keep a watch on the ribs - don’t burn them! Instead of the Glaze, you could just use your favorite BBQ sauce - the results will be outstanding.

*For Gluten-Free - check label. If you can’t find gluten-free Hoisin sauce: 1 cup gf soy sauce + 1/4 cup honey- simmer and reduce to half volume until you get a nice, sweet, syrupy sauce. It won’t taste BBQ’-ey, but you’ll still get a great Asian flavor!