Ingredients
- 2 racks (about 5–6 lbs) Pork baby back ribs
- 2 cups Pineapple juice (fresh)
- ½ cup Brown sugar
- ¼ cup Apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons Soy sauce or tamari
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Ginger, fresh grated
- 2 tablespoons Paprika (smoked)
- 1 tablespoon Dry mustard
- 1 tablespoon Garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 teaspoons Sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon Cayenne pepper
- 1 cup Pineapple chunks (fresh)
- Olive oil (for rubbing)
Instructions
- Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs by sliding a knife underneath and peeling it away completely.
- Rinse the ribs under cold water and pat dry with paper towels thoroughly.
- Trim any excess fat from the edges of the ribs, leaving a thin layer for moisture.
- Place the prepared ribs on a large cutting board or work surface.
- Combine paprika, dry mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, sea salt, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl to make the dry rub.
- Stir the spices together until evenly distributed for consistent flavor throughout the sticky pineapple ribs recipe.
- Rub olive oil lightly over both sides of the ribs to help the dry rub adhere properly.
- Generously coat both sides of the ribs with the dry rub mixture, pressing gently to ensure it adheres.
- Let the rubbed ribs rest at room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking, or refrigerate overnight if time permits.
- Combine pineapple juice, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and soy sauce in a saucepan to prepare the pineapple glaze.
- Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger, mixing thoroughly.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to medium and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add fresh pineapple chunks to the glaze and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 275 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the rubbed ribs bone-side down on a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 2 hours uncovered, allowing the ribs to slowly cook and become tender.
- Remove the ribs from the oven and brush the pineapple glaze generously over the top of the ribs using a pastry brush.
- Return the ribs to the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove and apply a second coat of glaze, then bake for an additional 20 minutes.
- Increase oven temperature to 325 degrees for final caramelization.
- Brush with remaining glaze one final time and bake for 15 minutes until the glaze becomes glossy and sticky.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before cutting and serving.
Notes
Remove the membrane: The thin membrane on the back of ribs prevents flavors from penetrating and creates an unpleasant chewy texture, so always remove it. Dry your ribs thoroughly: Moisture on the ribs prevents the dry rub from adhering properly, compromising flavor development. Use fresh pineapple juice: Fresh pineapple juice contains natural enzymes that tenderize the meat while adding bright, authentic tropical flavor. Apply glaze in multiple coats: Building up the glaze gradually creates a thicker, stickier coating that caramelizes beautifully. Monitor oven temperature carefully: Consistent heat is crucial for the sticky pineapple ribs recipe, as fluctuations can result in uneven cooking or burning. Rest the ribs before cutting: Allowing your finished ribs to rest for 5 minutes after cooking redistributes juices and prevents them from running out.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American BBQ
- Diet: Halal
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 15 grams
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 24 grams
- Saturated Fat: 8 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 20 grams
- Fiber: 0.5 grams
- Protein: 34 grams
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
