Memphis-Style Sticky Pork Ribs with House-Made BBQ Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-04 · Updated 2026-06-04

Fall-off-the-bone pork ribs coated in a sticky, sweet Memphis-style BBQ sauce with a hint of spice and smoky undertones. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 210 minutes, pairs pork baby back ribs, brown sugar, paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 3 pounds pork baby back ribs
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 cup apple juice
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 cup honey

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 275°F and line a baking sheet with foil.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons paprika, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 tablespoon black pepper to make a dry rub.
3. Step 3: Remove the membrane from the back of the 3-pound pork baby back ribs, then evenly coat both sides with the dry rub, pressing it into the meat.
4. Step 4: Place ribs on the foil-lined baking sheet, pour 1 cup apple juice around but not over the ribs, then cover tightly with foil and bake for 3 hours.
5. Step 5: While ribs cook, combine 1 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons molasses, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 1/4 cup honey in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes until thickened and glossy.
6. Step 6: Remove ribs from oven, discard foil, and brush ribs generously with the BBQ sauce.
7. Step 7: Increase oven temperature to 400°F and return ribs uncovered for 15 minutes until the sauce caramelizes and becomes sticky.
8. Step 8: Slice ribs between bones and serve with extra sauce for dipping.