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Kansas City ribs coated in thick BBQ sauce, baked until tender and glazed with a sweet sticky finish

Kansas City Ribs

Kansas City ribs are all about bold flavor, tender meat, and that signature sweet, sticky BBQ glaze. This easy oven recipe uses simple spices and a rich homemade sauce to create ribs that come out juicy and fall-off-the-bone soft. Slow baking keeps the meat tender, while a final high-heat finish gives the sauce that glossy, caramelized coating everyone loves. Perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, these ribs bring classic BBQ comfort straight to your table—no grill needed.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American BBQ
Calories: 520
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • For the Ribs:
  • 2 racks pork ribs baby back or spare ribs
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • For the BBQ Sauce:
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp mustard
  • 1 tsp chili powder

Method
 

  1. Prep the ribs
  2. First, remove the membrane from the back of the ribs (yeah, it’s a small step but makes a big difference).
  3. Then season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
  4. Wrap and bake
  5. Preheat oven to 275°F.
  6. Wrap ribs tightly in foil and place on a baking tray.
  7. Bake for 2.5 to 3 hours until the meat gets tender.
  8. (I usually peek at the 2.5-hour mark… can’t help it 😅)
  9. Make the sauce
  10. In a bowl, mix ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, honey, mustard, and chili powder.
  11. Give it a quick taste—sweet, tangy, a little kick… yeah, that’s it.
  12. Add the sauce
  13. Remove ribs from foil and place back on the tray.
  14. Brush a thick layer of BBQ sauce all over.
  15. Don’t be shy here—this is Kansas City style.
  16. Finish uncovered
  17. Return ribs to oven uncovered for 20–30 minutes at 400°F.
  18. The sauce thickens and turns sticky with slight char edges.
  19. That glossy finish? That’s the moment.