Entree: United States – St. Louis, Missouri – Oven-Baked St. Louis Ribs with Kansas City–Style Sauce

Food safety reminder: Follow safe food-handling practices and use a food thermometer to verify safe internal cooking temperatures.

Serving Size: 4

Approximate Time

Prep 25 min

Cook 2 hrs 40 min

Additional 10 min

Total 3 hrs 10 min

Ingredients

- 3 lb (1.4 kg) St. Louis–cut spare ribs (about 2 racks)
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup (50 g) brown sugar, packed
- 2 tbsp (30 g) paprika
- 1 tbsp (15 g) kosher salt
- 1 tbsp (15 g) black pepper
- 1 tbsp (15 g) garlic powder
- 1 tbsp (15 g) onion powder
- 1 tsp (5 g) chili powder
- 1 cup (240 ml) ketchup
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup (85 g) molasses
- 2 tbsp (30 g) brown sugar
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp (5 ml) mustard (yellow or Dijon)
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) water

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 275°F (135°C). Remove membrane from ribs and pat dry; rub lightly with vegetable oil. Mix brown sugar, paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder; coat ribs evenly.
2. Place ribs meat-side up on a foil-lined baking sheet; cover tightly with foil and bake 2.5 to 3 hours until meat is very tender.
3. Meanwhile, make the Kansas City–style sauce by combining ketchup, apple cider vinegar, molasses, brown sugar, Worcestershire, mustard, and water in a saucepan; simmer 10–15 minutes until slightly thickened.
4. Remove ribs from oven, discard top foil, brush with sauce, and broil 3–5 minutes until sauce caramelizes (watch closely). Let rest 10 minutes, cut between bones, and serve.