Smokey Babyback Ribs in the Oven?
Updated: Dec 1, 2021

Can you create delicious smokey babyback ribs in the oven?
But before you answer, if you're a BBQ Pit Master , you're disqualified from answering this question because:
a-I already know your answer.
b-It's probably against your religion and most likely a crime in some states to even discuss this.
That being said, if you're not a Pit Master and you want to enjoy some delicious Smokey babyback ribs in the oven (because your grill broke down or you just don't have the time on a Monday evening to spend hours smoking your ribs), then this recipe might just work for you.
So here you go; Smokey Babyback Ribs in the Oven:
NOTE: This recipe doesn't have exact ingredient measurements so pay attention & use your judgement to taste!
Ingredients
-Jack Daniels Honey Liqueur
-Grand Marnier Liqueur
- Kansas City Style BBQ Rub
- Smoked Sweet Paprika
- Honey
-Brown sugar
-Ketchup
-Pure Maple Syrup
-Liquid Smoke
-Apple Cider Vinegar
-Brown Sugar
-Smoked Applewood Sea Salt (I like the Saratoga Olive Oil Co.'s sea salts shown below. Click on the pic to order yours.)
The Ribs
1-On a good butcher quality rack of pork babyback ribs, drizzle some Jack Daniels Honey Liqueur and rub into the meat, spreading over the entire rack, front and back.
2-Now sprinkle on the Kansas City BBQ rub, some brown sugar & about 2 tbsps of Applewood Smoked Sea Salt covering the whole rack and rub into the meat.
3- Place the ribs on a rack in the bottom of a roasting pan with 1/2 inch of a mixture of water, apple cider vinegar & orange juice (Try not to allow the liquid to touch the ribs. The liquid will steam & keep the ribs moist & prevent them from drying out.)
4- Cover with foil and place in the oven at 300 degrees for 1 1/2 hours.
5- After 1 1/2 hours remove from the oven and brush the drizzled sauce (recipe below) over the rack & then place back into the oven on broil for about 10 minutes or until you notice a slight char beginning to form. (Don't allow the ribs to fully char. As soon as you see any char beginning to form, remove from the broiler.)
6-Remove from oven and serve with cole slaw, baked beans & cornbread.
Now, Smoked Babyback Ribs in the oven are not your traditional purest's form of BBQ, however, these were moist, juicy and delicious!
The Rib Sauce
-1 cup of Ketchup
-1/4 cup of light brown sugar
-4 tbsp of Jack Daniels Honey Liqueur
-1 tbsp of Grand Marnier
-4 drops of liquid smoke
-1/4 cup of pure maple syrup
-1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar
-1/4 cup of Smoke Paprika
-Shake well in a squirt bottle
This recipe pairs great with Smoke Eater "First Due Red" Pinotage.