North Carolina BBQ Spare Ribs

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender, smoky spare ribs glazed with a sweet-tart vinegar sauce, perfect for impressing guests with authentic American barbecue. This american-inspired grilling ready in about 170 minutes pairs spare ribs, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 150 min Serves 6 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 275°F (135°C). Place ribs bone-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, vinegar, paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and liquid smoke to create a glaze. Brush glaze evenly over ribs.
  2. Step 2: Roast for 2 hours, basting every 20 minutes with remaining glaze. Flip ribs and roast for another 30 minutes, or until meat is tender and glaze is caramelized.
  3. Step 3: Let rest 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with cornbread and coleslaw.

Frequently asked questions

How long does North Carolina BBQ Spare Ribs take to make?

Total time is about 170 minutes (20 min prep + 150 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover North Carolina BBQ Spare Ribs?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep spare ribs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in North Carolina BBQ Spare Ribs?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale North Carolina BBQ Spare Ribs for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with North Carolina BBQ Spare Ribs?

American grilling like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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