North Carolina BBQ Spare Ribs

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · 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.

★ 3.9 (15 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 150 min Serves 6 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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.

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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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