16 Ribs Recipes That Will Transform Your Summer Barbecues (2024)

Tender, juicy ribs smothered in barbecue sauce—what could be better? Try these recipes for classic BBQ ribs, slow cooker ribs, Thai-inspired short ribs, and more! No matter the style you're craving, these fall-off-the-bone ribs recipes will have everyone at your table savoring every last bite.

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Tangy Molasses Barbecue Ribs

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Tangy, smoky, and just a little bit sweet—this pork ribs recipe has everything you want when you imagine a full plate of juicy ribs. Season with a dry rub, then let your slow cooker take over. A dash of liquid smoke and a generous pour of homemade barbecue sauce will make this ribs recipe an instant favorite.

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Apricot Chipotle Pork Ribs

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Add a kick to your zesty barbecue sauce with ingredients such as chili sauce and chipotle peppers. Fruit may not be your first thought when you think of ingredients for a barbecue ribs recipe, but it makes the flavors in the sauce and meat much more complex. In this case, apricot preserves bring a touch of fruity sweetness to the five-ingredient slow cooker ribs.

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Baby Back Ribs and Quick Pickles

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When you're in the mood for summer barbecue, make this baby back ribs recipe your go-to. Start by cooking the pork ribs in the oven, then finish on the grill to add delicious smokiness and beautiful grill marks just before serving. Serve with homemade quick pickles for a tasty balance of rich ribs and briny cucumbers.

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Air-Fried Ginger-Glazed Pork Ribs

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You've had baked, grilled, and slow-cooked ribs, so now it's time to try air-fried. This country-style ribs recipe is ready to eat in less than an hour thanks to some speedy cooking in the air fryer. Let the ribs get a little crispy, then coat with a yummy chili sauce, apricot, and ginger glaze just before digging in.

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Coconut-Curry Short Ribs

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This beef short ribs recipe takes inspiration from Thai flavors. Fresh ginger, lemongrass, curry paste, and coconut milk make a delicious sauce, and the ribs soak up every ounce of flavor as they simmer for hours in the oven. Serve over bok choy to finish this irresistible braised short ribs recipe.

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Oven-to-Grill Baby Back Ribs

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You won't find an oven-baked ribs recipe that's easier than this one. For starters, these tasty baby back ribs only need three extra ingredients: yellow mustard, barbecue rub, and barbecue sauce. Second, they roast in the oven until they're falling-off-the-bone tender, then get finished on the grill to help caramelize the sauce. The hardest part is waiting for the first bite.

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Sweet and Spicy Mango-Sauced Ribs with Smoky Slaw

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Sweetness, spice, and smoke is the best combination for a tropical-inspired cookout. The flavor sensations start with a rib rub that includes cinnamon and cayenne pepper, then get even bolder when you add a sauce made with mangoes and serrano peppers. Up to two hours on the grill finishes this pork ribs recipe with plenty of smokiness.

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Smoked St. Louis-Style Ribs with Two Sauces

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What's better than one barbecue sauce? Two, of course, and that's just what this grilled ribs recipe delivers. Choose your favorite sauce—a sticky-sweet combo of grape jelly and chili sauce, or a smoky tomato version—to serve with these tasty ribs. If you're hosting, make both sauces and let guests choose (or sample both).

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Backyard Barbecue Ribs with Dr. Pepper Barbecue Sauce

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Sometimes you just have to go back to a classic dish. If you're in the mood for a spicy, sticky, slightly sweet smoked ribs recipe, this is your recipe. Make a zippy soda sauce and let the ribs cook low and slow on the grill, then serve with even more sweet and spicy sauce on the side.

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Pork Ribs in Mole Verde

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A mole is a sauce traditionally used in Mexico, and this version of mole verde combines green chiles with tomatillos to give the sauce its color and bold flavor. As this slow cooker ribs recipe simmers in the sauce, it helps tenderize the pork and give it delicious layers of heat and spice. Finish with a quick broil to give the ribs a crispy outer crust.

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French Onion Beef Short Ribs

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Tender cooked onions, Gruyère cheese, and baguette slices are the best accompaniments for this beef ribs recipe. Slow-roast in a Dutch oven with brandy and beef broth for the most tender, juicy short ribs ever. Serving the ribs with broth and bread makes a cozy, comforting, hearty meal.

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Texas-Style Beef Ribs

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When it comes to beef ribs, fall-off-the-bone-tender meat is the only way to go. This smoked ribs recipe features a classic sauce made with onions, honey, ketchup, and chiles (generously slathered on, of course). Smoke the ribs low and slow to caramelize the sauce and give them the delicious, smoky flavor you expect from your favorite barbecue restaurant.

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Memphis Dry Ribs

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Memphis' famous ribs are traditionally cooked slowly in a smoker, but this zesty nine-spice version takes a shortcut in the oven before hitting the grill. Same full-bodied flavor, half the fuss. The best part is you can feast on this oven ribs recipe sooner than if you relied on just the smoker.

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Apple-Bourbon Country-Style Pork Ribs

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You already know apples are a classic pairing with pork chops, and they're just as tasty with this pork ribs recipe. Change up your BBQ ribs game by adding bourbon to the mix, too. When paired with apples, the liquor creates an unforgettable sweet and tangy flavor with a hint of smokiness.

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Reggae Baby Back Ribs

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Play with sweet and smoky flavors in this fruity BBQ ribs recipe. Served with a sublime mango-guava barbecue sauce, these tantalizing pork ribs are brushed with a mixture of dark rum, lime juice, and chile pepper before grilling. The trick to really making the sauce shine is to let it sit in the fridge for up to 24 hours so the flavors can develop.

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Slow-Cooked Barbecue Country-Style Ribs

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You won't be able to get enough of these BBQ-sauced ribs... so luckily, there are two ways to try them. Eat the ribs for dinner right after you make them, and then shred the remaining meat for tasty pulled pork sandwiches. This country-style ribs recipe is irresistible no matter which way you serve it.