Best 5 Kansas City Style Baby Back Ribs Recipes

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Kansas City-style baby back ribs are renowned for their smoky, tender, and fall-off-the-bone deliciousness. This article presents a collection of mouthwatering recipes to guide you in creating this iconic dish in your own kitchen. From the initial preparation of the ribs to the final glazing and cooking techniques, each recipe provides step-by-step instructions and helpful tips for achieving perfect results. Whether you prefer a dry rub or a flavorful sauce, these recipes offer a range of options to suit your taste buds. Discover the secrets to creating succulent and unforgettable Kansas City-style baby back ribs that will impress your family and friends at your next backyard barbecue or special occasion dinner.

Let's cook with our recipes!

KANSAS CITY STYLE PORK RIBS



Kansas City Style Pork Ribs image

Provided by Patrick and Gina Neely : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time P1DT4h15m

Yield 4 large/8 small portions

Number Of Ingredients 21

2 slabs pork spare ribs, 3 pounds each
Kansas City Barbeque Sauce, recipe follows
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup dry mustard
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 (about 2/3 cup)small onion, finely diced
3 cups water
1 cup (2 (6-ounce) cans) tomato paste
1/2 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup molasses
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Remove the thin white membrane off of the bone-side of the ribs. Mix together the brown sugar, dry mustard, cayenne, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Massage the rub into the ribs and let sit for 1 hour or up to overnight.
  • If cooking on the grill, place the ribs meat-side down next to medium-hot coals that are about 225 degrees F. The indirect heat will cook them slower, making them tender. Allow to cook for 1 hour. Turn ribs every half hour and baste with the Kansas City Barbeque Sauce. Cook until the ribs are tender, about 3 to 4 hours.
  • If cooking indoors, place in a roasting pan with a rack. Slather the ribs with the Kansas City Barbeque Sauce and tent a piece of aluminum foil over them. In a preheated 350 degrees F. oven, place the ribs, basting with the sauce every 30 minutes and removing the foil for the last 30 minutes and cooking until fork tender, about 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
  • In a small sauce pot on medium-high heat, heat the oil and add the onion, cooking until translucent.
  • Add the remaining ingredients in a large bowl and mix together. Add to sauce pan and let simmer for 30 to 45 minutes. Use to baste the pork spare ribs.
  • 3 cups

ADAM PERRY LANG'S SWEET AND STICKY KANSAS-CITY STYLE RIBS



Adam Perry Lang's Sweet and Sticky Kansas-City Style Ribs image

Provided by Food Network

Yield Serves 6

Number Of Ingredients 38

4 (1 1/4 lb) racks pork baby back ribs
1/2 cup Garlicky Barbecue Marinade, recipe follows
1/4 cup Seven Spice Dry Rub, recipe follows
Cider Mop spray, recipe follows
1/2 cup Sweet and Sticky Barbecue Sauce, recipe follows
10 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup sweet paprika
1/4 cup kosher salt
1/4 cup chili powder
1/4 cup dry mustard
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup apple juice
1 cup water
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
5 garlic cloves, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
Salt
1/4 cup dark rum
3 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground clove
1 cup dark brown sugar
2 cups water
2 cups ketchup
1/2 cup molasses
1/2 cup yellow mustard
1/2 cup cider vinegar
2 teaspoons hot sauce

Steps:

  • Rub each rack of ribs all over with 2 tablespoons of the barbecue marinade and refrigerate overnight.
  • Bring ribs to room temperature and sprinkle each with 1 tablespoon of the dry rub.
  • Light a charcoal fire in a covered grill and set it up for indirect grilling: When the temperature reaches 225 degrees, carefully push the hot coals to one side and place a drip pan filled with 1 cup of water on the opposite side. Alternatively, bring a smoker to 225 degrees. Put the ribs on the grill over the drip pan, overlapping them slightly, and cover the grill; you'll need to cook the ribs for about 4 hours total, or until the meat pulls away from the bones and is very tender. Maintain the temperature at 225 degrees by replenishing the charcoal with a fresh batch of burning coals every hour. Every hour, drain 1/2 cup of the wood chips and scatter them over the hot coals. Add water to the drip pan when half of it is evaporated. After 1 1/2 hours, spray the baby back ribs with the Cider Mop spray and rotate them on the grill; repeat spraying every 45 minutes.
  • Remove the drip pan and spread the coals in an even layer. Replenish with fresh coals to make a medium-hot fire. Dilute the Sweet and Sticky Barbecue Sauce with 1/2 cup water. Brush sauce over ribs and cook for 30 minutes, turning often. Repeat brushing 4 or 5 times to build a sticky glaze. Transfer the ribs to a carving board and let rest for 10 minutes. Cut between each rib and serve. (If you would like to prepare them ahead, the glazed ribs can be refrigerated overnight. Serve cold or reheat in a 325 degrees oven.)
  • In a blender, puree the chopped garlic, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, onion and water. The marinade can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients. The dry rub can be refrigerated or frozen for up to 6 months.
  • In a large, glass measuring cup, combine the apple juice, water and vinegar. Pour into a spray bottle and refrigerate. The mop spray can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.
  • Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the garlic, onion, green pepper and a large pinch of salt and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 10 minutes. Add the rum and simmer for 2 minutes. Add the chili powder, black pepper, allspice and cloves and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add the brown sugar, water, ketchup, molasses, mustard, vinegar and hot sauce and simmer over moderate heat, stirring often, until thickened, about 30 minutes.
  • Transfer the barbecue sauce to a large food processor and puree. Season the sauce with salt. The barbecue sauce can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

KANSAS CITY-STYLE BABY BACK RIBS



Kansas City-Style Baby Back Ribs image

Slow-cooked and broiled in the oven, these sweet ribs can be made year-round.

Provided by Kemp Minifie

Categories     Broil     Picnic     Super Bowl     Dinner     Pork Rib     Fall     Spring     Summer     Winter     Tailgating     Family Reunion

Number Of Ingredients 17

2 2-pound racks baby back pork ribs
1/4 cup plus 1/3 cup (packed) light or dark brown sugar, divided
1/4 cup chili powder
3 tablespoons sweet paprika
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 1/2 cups ketchup
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/3 cup yellow (ballpark) mustard
1/4 cup molasses (not blackstrap)
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon hot sauce, or to taste
1 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional)

Steps:

  • Line a large heavy rimmed baking sheet with foil and put rib racks side by side in pan.
  • In a bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup brown sugar, chili powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne and rub onto both sides of racks. Let ribs stand, meaty sides up, at room temperature, 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 325°. Cover pan tightly with foil and bake ribs 1 1/2 hours.
  • Make sauce while ribs bake: Cook onion in oil in a 3-4-quart heavy pot over medium-low heat, covered, stirring occasionally, until tender, 10-15 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add remaining ingredients, including remaining 1/3 cup brown sugar, and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes. Cool sauce slightly and purée in a food processor. Set aside 1 cup sauce for serving.
  • Remove foil cover and turn racks over so bone ends curve up, then baste ribs with pan juices and spread generously with some sauce. Continue to bake, uncovered, 30 minutes. Turn racks over, then baste again with pan juices and top generously with more sauce. Continue to bake until tender when pierced with a small knife, 30-45 minutes.
  • Broil ribs, meaty sides up, 4"-6" inches from heat, until browned, 2-3 minutes. Serve with reserved sauce.

KANSAS CITY SWEET-AND-SMOKY RIBS



Kansas City Sweet-and-Smoky Ribs image

Provided by Steven Raichlen

Categories     Marinate     Graduation     Backyard BBQ     Dinner     Beef Rib     Spring     Summer     Tailgating     Grill     Grill/Barbecue

Yield Serves 4 to 8

Number Of Ingredients 7

4 racks of spareribs (4 to 6 pounds total)
6 cups apple cider, plus additional for spraying the ribs
2 whole lemons (optional), halved
2/3 cup Basic Barbecue Rub or your favorite commercial brand
3 cups of your favorite homemade barbecue sauce or your favorite commercial brand
YOU'LL NEED:
3 cups wood chips (preferably hickory), soaked for 1 hour in apple cider to cover, then drained; spray bottle; rib rack (optional)

Steps:

  • 1. Trim each rack of ribs or have your butcher do this for you.
  • 2. Place the ribs in a large nonreactive roasting pan. Pour the cider over the ribs. Squeeze the juice from the lemons over the ribs, catching the seeds with your fingers. Turn the ribs a couple of time to coat all over with marinade. If desired, let the ribs marinate in the refrigerator, covered, for 4 to 6 hours, turning several times.
  • 3. Drain the ribs and blot dry with paper towels. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the rub on both sides of the ribs, patting it onto the meat with your fingers. Let the ribs stand in the refrigerator, covered, for 1 to 2 hours.
  • 4. Set up the grill for indirect grilling and preheat to medium. If using a charcoal grill, place a large drip pan in the center. If using a gas grill, place all the wood chips in the smoker box or in a smoker pouch and preheat to high until you see smoke, then reduce the heat to medium.
  • 5. When ready to cook, if using charcoal, toss 1 cup of wood chips on the coals. Place the ribs in the center of the hot grate, away from the heat. Cover the grill and cook the ribs for 2 to 3 hours. After 30 minutes, spray the ribs with apple cider and continue to spray every half hour until ready to brush with the sauce. If using a charcoal grill, you'll need to add 12 fresh coals and 1/2 cup wood chips per side after each hour.
  • 6. Lightly brush the ribs with 1 cup of the sauce 20 minutes before the ribs are done. When the ribs are fully cooked, the meat will have shrunk back from the bones about 1/4 inch, and the meat will be tender enough to tear apart with your fingers. But don't overcook; the ribs should have some chew to them. If the ribs start to dry out, wrap them in aluminum foil for the last hour of cooking.
  • 7. Transfer the ribs to plates or a platter. Sprinkle the ribs with the remaining rub and lightly brush again with barbecue sauce. Let the ribs rest for a few minutes, then serve with the remaining barbecue sauce on the side.
  • VARIATION:
  • You can also cook the ribs in a smoker. Smoke them for 4 to 5 hours at 225°F
  • ALSO GOOD FOR:
  • This is a wonderful way to prepare baby back ribs. In this case, you'll need to allow 1 to 1 1/2 hours for indirect grilling or 2 to 3 hours for cooking in a smoker.

KANSAS CITY-STYLE RIBS



Kansas City-Style Ribs image

Our family recipe for ribs has evolved to near perfection. These country-style beauties are a legend in our close circle. -Linda Schend, Kenosha, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h35m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 17

1-1/3 cups packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons each garlic powder, onion powder and smoked paprika
1-1/4 teaspoons each ground cumin, coarsely ground pepper and cayenne pepper
12 bone-in country-style pork ribs (about 7 pounds)
SAUCE:
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 cup tomato sauce
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup molasses
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and seasonings; sprinkle over ribs. Refrigerate, covered, at least 1 hour., For sauce, in a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until tender, 5-6 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients; bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat., Wrap ribs in a large piece of heavy-duty foil; seal edges of foil. Grill, covered, over indirect medium heat until ribs are tender, 1-1/4 to 1-3/4 hours., Carefully remove ribs from foil. Place ribs over direct medium heat; baste with some of the sauce. Grill, covered, until browned, 8-10 minutes, turning and basting occasionally with remaining sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 453 calories, Fat 18g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 101mg cholesterol, Sodium 452mg sodium, Carbohydrate 40g carbohydrate (36g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 31g protein.

Tips:

  • Choose high-quality baby back ribs for the best results.
  • Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs before cooking to ensure tender and juicy ribs.
  • Use a flavorful rub or marinade to enhance the taste of the ribs.
  • Cook the ribs slowly and low over indirect heat until they are fall-off-the-bone tender.
  • Baste the ribs with barbecue sauce during the last 30 minutes of cooking to add a rich and smoky flavor.
  • Serve the ribs with your favorite sides, such as baked beans, coleslaw, and cornbread.

Conclusion:

Kansas City-style baby back ribs are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. By following the tips and instructions in this article, you can create a mouthwatering rack of ribs that will impress your friends and family. So fire up your grill or smoker and get ready to enjoy some of the best ribs you've ever had!

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