Ingredients:

  • 2 to 3 pounds (900g to 1.4kg) spare ribs, trimmed
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup (240ml) barbecue sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • ½ cup (120ml) honey
  • ¼ cup (60ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons (30g) soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon (5g) garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon (5g) onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon (2.5g) smoked paprika (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 300°F (150°C).
  2. Prepare the Ribs: Rinse and pat dry the spare ribs. Remove the silver skin from the back if necessary. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
  3. Make the Sweet Glaze: In a mixing bowl, combine barbecue sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Whisk until well blended.
  4. Marinate the Ribs: Place the ribs in a baking tray. Brush generously with the sweet glaze, cover with aluminum foil, and let marinate for at least 30 minutes (up to overnight in the fridge for deeper flavor).
  5. Bake the Ribs: Uncover the ribs and bake for 2 hours, basting every 30 minutes with the remaining glaze until tender. Check doneness by ensuring the meat is tender and pulls away from the bone easily.
  6. Glaze and Caramelize: Increase the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C). Brush the ribs with additional glaze and bake uncovered for another 10-15 minutes until bubbly and caramelized.
  7. Serve: Allow ribs to rest for 10 minutes, slice and serve with extra glaze on the side.