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Flavorful Honey Glazed Baby Back Ribs with Easy Homemade Cola BBQ Rub

honey glazed baby back ribs - featured image
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This recipe delivers sweet, smoky, and sticky baby back ribs with a homemade cola BBQ rub and a luscious honey glaze. Perfect for a comforting meal that impresses without complicated steps.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 racks baby back ribs (about 2.5 pounds / 1.1 kg total)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for rubbing)
  • Aluminum foil (for wrapping)
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed (preferably dark brown)
  • 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 cup cola (regular or diet)
  • 1/3 cup honey (raw or runny)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Prep the ribs (15 minutes): Remove the thin membrane from the back of each rib rack. Pat the ribs dry with paper towels.
  2. Make the cola BBQ rub (5 minutes): In a medium bowl, mix brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. Pour in the cola and mix until it forms a thick paste.
  3. Apply the rub (10 minutes): Lightly brush ribs with olive oil, then massage the cola BBQ rub all over both sides. Let ribs rest at room temperature while preheating oven or grill.
  4. Slow cook the ribs (2 hours): Preheat oven to 275°F (135°C). Place ribs on wire rack over rimmed baking sheet. Cover tightly with foil and bake for about 2 hours until tender but not falling apart.
  5. Prepare the honey glaze (5 minutes): Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in honey, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and a pinch of salt. Keep warm on lowest heat, stirring occasionally.
  6. Glaze and finish (15 minutes): Remove ribs from oven, discard foil, brush honey glaze generously over ribs. Increase oven temperature to 425°F (220°C) or use broiler on low. Return ribs uncovered for 10-15 minutes, basting once halfway through until glaze is bubbly and caramelized.
  7. Rest and serve (10 minutes): Let ribs rest a few minutes before slicing between bones.

Notes

Remove the membrane for tender ribs. Cook low and slow for juicy results. Apply honey glaze near the end to avoid burning sugars. Let ribs rest before slicing. Use a silicone brush for better glaze coverage. If broiling, watch closely to prevent charring. For gluten-free, verify Worcestershire sauce and chili powder labels. For dairy-free glaze, substitute butter with coconut oil.

Nutrition

Keywords: baby back ribs, honey glazed ribs, cola BBQ rub, homemade BBQ sauce, easy ribs recipe, slow cooked ribs, sweet and smoky ribs

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