Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsCornerstoneBaby Back Ribs Recipe

Baby Back Ribs Recipe

Inspired by Cornerstone
Time3h 5m
Serves4

Our famous slow roasted BBQ pork ribs, so tender and juicy they'll slide right off the bone and melt in your mouth. Smothered in our savory homemade BBQ sauce.

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Ingredients

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Ribs

Method

Ribs

  1. 1

    Prepare ribs

    Preheat oven to 150°C (300°F). Remove membrane from the bone side of the ribs: slide a knife under the membrane at one end, loosen it, then grip with a paper towel and pull it off in one piece.

  2. 2

    Make rub and season

    In a small bowl combine kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika and brown sugar. Rub a light coat of neutral oil over both sides of the ribs to help the dry rub adhere, then evenly coat both sides with the rub, pressing it into the meat.

  3. 3

    Roast low and slow

    Place ribs bone side down on a large sheet pan. Add apple cider vinegar and 120 ml water to the pan (this creates steam to keep ribs moist). Tightly tent the ribs with aluminum foil (seal edges) or cover with a second sheet pan. Roast in the preheated oven for 2 hours.

  4. 4

    Check tenderness

    After 2 hours, remove pan from oven, lift foil and check ribs. They should be tender and the meat will have pulled back from the bone about 0.5–1 cm. If not yet tender, re-cover and roast another 30–45 minutes, checking every 15 minutes.

Homemade BBQ Sauce

  1. 5

    Combine and simmer

    While ribs roast (during the last 30–45 minutes), combine ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, molasses, Worcestershire, Dijon, minced garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, hot sauce (if using), salt and black pepper in a small saucepan. Whisk to combine and bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat.

  2. 6

    Reduce and adjust

    Simmer sauce gently, stirring occasionally, 12–15 minutes until slightly thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning — add a pinch more salt, sugar or a dash of hot sauce if desired. Keep warm off heat until ready to baste.

Finishing / Serving

  1. 7

    Glaze and broil (or finish on grill)

    Increase oven temperature to 220°C (425°F) or preheat a grill to medium-high. Brush a generous layer of the homemade BBQ sauce all over the top of the ribs. Return to the oven, uncovered, on a foil-lined sheet for 6–8 minutes to caramelize the sauce. For a charred finish, transfer to a preheated grill and grill 2–4 minutes per side, brushing once more with sauce until sticky and slightly charred. Watch carefully to avoid burning.

  2. 8

    Rest and gloss

    Remove ribs from oven or grill and loosely tent with foil. Let rest 10 minutes. If using, brush melted butter over the ribs for a glossy finish and sprinkle with chopped parsley.

  3. 9

    Slice and serve

    Slice between the bones into individual portions, serve with extra warmed BBQ sauce on the side. Enjoy ribs while hot so they remain juicy and tender.

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