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Tender Honey Garlic Baby Back Ribs Recipe Easy Homemade Apple Cider Mop Sauce

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Tender baby back ribs cooked low and slow with a sweet, garlicky apple cider mop sauce that creates a sticky, flavorful glaze. Perfect for cookouts and family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 racks baby back ribs (about 3–4 pounds or 1.4–1.8 kg)
  • ½ cup honey (120 ml)
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar (240 ml)
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt (kosher or sea salt preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ cup water (120 ml)
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes or ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper for heat

Instructions

  1. Prep the ribs (15 minutes): Remove the thin membrane from the back of the ribs using a sharp knife and paper towel.
  2. Season ribs: Mix salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika and rub generously all over both sides of the ribs. Set aside.
  3. Make the mop sauce (5 minutes): Whisk together honey, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, olive oil, and water until smooth.
  4. Preheat oven or grill to 275°F (135°C) for low and slow cooking. If grilling, prepare indirect heat on medium-low.
  5. Cook ribs (2.5 – 3 hours): Place ribs bone-side down on a baking sheet or grill rack and tent loosely with foil.
  6. Baste ribs every 20 minutes with the apple cider mop sauce using a basting brush to build flavor and keep moist.
  7. Check for tenderness after about 2.5 hours; meat should pull away easily from the bone. Continue cooking and basting if needed.
  8. Optional finish (10 minutes): Brush a final coat of mop sauce and place ribs under broiler or direct grill heat for a sticky glaze. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
  9. Rest ribs for 10 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.

Notes

Remove the membrane for tenderness. Baste every 20 minutes to keep ribs moist and build flavor. Use a meat thermometer aiming for 190-203°F internal temperature. Watch sugar content when broiling to avoid burning. Sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated. For a spicy kick, add cayenne or red pepper flakes. Can substitute honey with maple syrup and apple cider vinegar with apple juice for variations.

Nutrition

Keywords: baby back ribs, honey garlic ribs, apple cider mop sauce, barbecue ribs, easy ribs recipe, tender ribs, cookout recipe, low and slow ribs

Find it online: https://tablemira.com/tender-honey-garlic-baby-back-ribs-recipe-easy-homemade-apple-cider-mop-sauce/