As an appetizer or main event, these Oven Baked Ribs with Bar B Barn Sauce are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Sweet and sticky, perfect fall-off-the-bone tender ribs every single time!
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Growing up Italian meant a lot of home cooked meals.
So naturally, the first time I ate in a restaurant made a lasting impression on me.
It was the Bar-B-Barn Restaurant located in my hometown, Montreal. It’s been opened ever since 1967 and has since become somewhat of a city landmark.
This was also the very first time I tasted ribs basted in a sweet and sticky sauce (these sort of meals were not in my mom’s repertoire!)
Fast forward a few decades later…I am preparing ribs, at home with a copycat version of the recipe for the BBQ sauce. I love to serve these ribs with Baked Beans and Sweet Corn Salad.
They also make one of the best appetizers… just make sure to provide your guests with some hand wipes!
Are you ready to make the best ribs?
How to make the Best Oven Baked Ribs:
Before I begin, I know that I am opening up Pandora’s box by writing that I boil my ribs before cooking or barbecuing them. Yes, I am wearing my dietitian‘s hat as I am writing this.
I have had my share of discussions with so many friends and family over the years. I am always interested in knowing how everyone prepares their ribs, and particularly what motivates people to boil or not boil their ribs prior to baking or barbecuing with the sauce.
I have come to the conclusion that it really boils down to personal choice and taste (please excuse the pun, but I couldn’t resist!) Based on my personal experience, every time I serve these ribs, I have yet to hear someone complain about the taste.
Boiling the ribs: Let‘s begin by placing the ribs in a large pot. Cover with cold water and add a few bay leafs, one onion, one celery stalk and a few peppercorns.
Bring to a boil; cover and then reduce heat to a simmer. Let it go for about 45- 60 minutes. In the meanwhile, let‘s make the sauce.
To make the sauce: Simply combine all the ingredients in a medium sized pan over medium heat. These ingredients include: brown sugar, applesauce, ketchup, lemon juice, salt, pepper, cinnamon, paprika and garlic.
Simmer for about 20-30 minutes. Once done, set it aside while waiting for the ribs.
Baking the ribs: Place the boiled ribs in a single layer in a large baking dish. Brush the sauce on one side of the ribs and bake for about 45 minutes. Turn the ribs over and baste with more sauce and cook for another 45 minutes.
Serve and enjoy!
Recipe origins
Decades ago, my cousin Mary, who loves the local newspaper, the Montreal Gazette, informed me that the recipe for the infamous Bar B Barn rib sauce was featured in the Food Section.
That was a very happy day for me.
Over the years, time and time again, there have been wonderful recipes to be found in the Food Section of the Gazette. (If you like thick homemade soups, you need to try this easy White Bean Soup, also courtesy of the Gazette.)
I found the original recipe for the sauce to be a little too sweet, so I decreased the amount of brown sugar. (My husband still finds it a little sweet, but he is in the minority). I kept all the other measurements the same.
I will also use my Homemade Applesauce for this recipe. Feel free to use any commercial brand that is unsweetened.
So, whether or not you boil your ribs before cooking them, you really should try this Bar-B-Barn sauce for ribs. Restaurant style ribs in the comfort of your home.
Enjoy!!!
THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.
Ciao for now,
Maria
★★★★★ If you have made these Oven Baked Ribs, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!
Recipe
Oven Baked Ribs
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Ingredients
The ribs:
- 4 lbs baby back ribs pork or beef
- 2 bay leafs
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 celery stalk chopped in half
- 1 tablespoon peppercorns
The sauce:
- 1½ cups brown sugar
- 1 cup applesauce unsweetened
- ½ cup ketchup
- ⅓ cup lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 2 cloves garlic fresh, minced
Instructions
The ribs:
- Place the ribs in a large pot.
- Cover with cold water.
- Add herbs and vegetables.
- Bring water to a boil; cover, reduce heat and simmer 45 minutes to 1 hour or until ribs are tender (meanwhile you can make the sauce).
- Remove ribs from pot and place in a shallow glass baking dish.
The sauce:
- While the ribs are simmering, whisk all the ingredients for the sauce in a medium sized pan over low heat.
- Simmer for 20-30 minutes, occasionally whisking the sauce.
The bake:
- Brush sauce on one side of the ribs.
- Place in oven and cook for 45 minutes at 350 ° F
- Turn ribs over and baste with more sauce.
- Continue cooking for another 45 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Claude
I tried the recipe and it was a hit with my family and next door neighbor. The next time I make it I plan to make it my own by marinating the ribs in A&W root beer for four hours. Three of my children said they missed that root beer taste from my usual recipe
Maria
Sounds like an interesting variation Claude! Thanks for taking the time to comment, appreciate it!
Ellen
I am not sure how to cook ribs. Do I cut them apart before I boil /cook them?
Maria
Great question Ellen. I cut them in individual portions before I boil them. Thanks so much for your interest.
Louise
Excellent!
I indeed remember the Bar B Barn ribs as being sweeter (and “fatter”). Your sauce is superior. Thanks for the memories. My husband, who is not really fond of ribs, absolutely loved your recipe!!!
Maria
My pleasure Louise! Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with this recipe, appreciate it!
Darlene
Maria I love this recipe. When we are in the mood for great sweet ribs these are what I make. I also have a few recipes for bbq sauce that I through together. But none the less these go over very well. We have Rib fest in our town and never bother instead I make about 3 different kinds one of source is this one then invite a bunch of friends over . They always said did you get these at rib fest and I say nope these are bar b barn sauce and mine. Nobody goes home hungry. Thanks a million!!!
Darlene.
Maria
I am thrilled you and your loved ones enjoy this recipe. My family and friends are the same… great ribs with lots of sticky fingers 🙂 Thanks so much for taking the time and sharing your story with these sweet ribs, truly appreciate it ♥
Wendy (holden)
Thanks so much on a cool Halloween 🎃👻night .. this recipe is being shared on F bk by a group slightly homesick (read BAR B line ups!) ex Mtlers from Toronto to Calgary to D C to Pennsylvania…as it s been tested now..! I m hoping Calgary young uns will use at Christmas…but also a) the Tuscan bean soup is in the slow cooker and I loved your potsticker cooking hints..! Now if only those bricks of fries..could be bought like putt putt St H pies and tourtieres in Calgary..! Thanks for these.!
Maria
My pleasure Wendy! Hope they brought back some wonderful memories ♥ Thanks for taking the time to comment. Hope you guys had a great Halloween!
Nancy M.
Made the ribs for a family get together, and we loved them!
Maria
So glad to hear Nancy! This is a recipe I will make quite often, especially in the summer. Thanks for taking the time to comment ♥♥♥
MARY AU
Oh Maria, I could not believe you did this. I was studying in McGill in the 80s and had waited in line so many times for those famous ribs. I have since been trying to come up with a similar version. Over the years, I experimented and modified, Eventually, I become very good with ribs and have about 5-6 versions . Had 3 major breakthrough over the years and my sweet ribs are slightly different than Bar B Barns. I visited them again a few years back and my family prefers mine now. However, I will try this recipe here and will keep an eye on your blog.
I sometimes boil my ribs but not always, most definitely when I prepare Asian flavored ones, cause the boiling creates a very flavorful broth (after the fat is remove) for quick soups.
Maria
Hello fellow Montrealer! I am glad to hear I am not the only one obsessed with those Bar B ribs…Yes, I agree the broth is very flavorful. Truly appreciate you taking the time to comment and thanks for following 🙂
Charlotte Oates
I love ribs and these sound amazing! Off to pin them so I can give them a try 🙂
Thanks for joining #FoodYearLinkup, I hope you’ll come and join again soon xx
Maria
Hope you like them! Thanks so much for the opportunity to join the #FoodYearLinkup. We will definitely be seeing more of each other 🙂
Corina
I do love ribs! I have my own favourite recipe but I’m always looking at new recipes too and have never tried one with applesauce in! These ribs look and sound great.
Maria
Thanks Corina! Hope you get a chance to try them 🙂
Maria
Gotta try to make your sauce Mary!!
Maria
Made the recipe Saturday for “the kids”… it really is finger licking good. I am sure your “kids” will appreciate it also. Have a great day 🙂