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Easy BBQ Country Ribs Recipe (Tender, Juicy & Grilled)

These easy BBQ country ribs are simmered in barbecue sauce with onion and seasonings before being finished on the grill for a beautifully browned exterior. The simmering method helps keep the pork tender and flavorful, while grilling adds a delicious smoky finish. A simple, satisfying rib recipe that's perfect for summer cookouts and family dinners.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner
Calories: 882

Ingredients
  

  • 2 ½ pounds pork spareribs
  • 2 18-ounce bottles barbeque sauce
  • 1 onion quartered
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Method
 

  1. Prepare the ingredients. Gather the pork spareribs, barbeque sauce, onion, salt, and ground black pepper. Cut the onion into quarters.
  2. Combine the ingredients. Place the pork spareribs in a large stockpot. Add both bottles of barbeque sauce, the quartered onion, salt, and black pepper.
  3. Add water. Pour enough water into the stockpot to completely cover the ribs. Gently stir to distribute the sauce and seasonings.
  4. Bring to a low boil. Place the stockpot over medium-high heat and bring the liquid to a gentle boil.
  5. Simmer the ribs. Reduce the heat to maintain a steady simmer. Cook the ribs for approximately 40 minutes, allowing them to become tender and absorb the barbecue flavor.
  6. Preheat the grill. Toward the end of simmering, preheat an outdoor grill to high heat. Lightly oil the grill grate to reduce sticking.
  7. Transfer the ribs. Carefully remove the ribs from the stockpot using tongs. Reserve the barbecue cooking liquid for basting during grilling, keeping it hot.
  8. Grill until browned. Arrange the ribs on the preheated grill. Cook for approximately 20 minutes, turning frequently to develop an evenly browned exterior.
  9. Baste the ribs. Brush the ribs regularly with the reserved barbecue cooking liquid while grilling. Because the liquid has been in contact with raw pork, bring it to a full rolling boil before using it for basting.
  10. Check for doneness. Continue grilling until the ribs are nicely browned and tender. Pork must reach a minimum internal temperature of 145°F (63°C), followed by a 3-minute rest, although ribs often become more tender at higher temperatures.

Notes

  • Simmering method: Cooking the ribs in a mixture of barbeque sauce, onion, and seasonings before grilling helps tenderize the meat and develop flavor.
  • Water quantity: Add enough water to cover the ribs during simmering. The exact amount depends on the size of your stockpot.
  • Reserved cooking liquid: The simmering liquid is used to baste the ribs while grilling. Bring it to a full rolling boil before basting because it has been in contact with raw pork.
  • Grill temperature: Preheat the grill on high, but watch the ribs closely. Barbecue sauce contains sugar, which can burn quickly over intense heat.
  • Turning the ribs: Turn frequently to encourage even browning and reduce the risk of scorching.
  • Nutrition note: The stated nutritional information includes the full amount of the boiling ingredients. The actual amount of cooking liquid consumed will vary, so the nutritional values per serving may differ.