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!  

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!

Origins of the recipe for Oven Baked Ribs:

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!

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5 from 3 votes

Oven Baked Ribs

As an appetizer or main event, or whether baking, barbecuing or slow cooking, these Sweet Bar-B-Barn Ribs are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Enjoy!

Course Appetizer or Main Meal

Cuisine American

Keyword Bar b barns, rib recipes

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes

Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes

Servings 6 servings

Calories 840kcal

Author Maria Vannelli RD

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
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/3 cup lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 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

I will use my homemade chunky applesauce for this recipe.

If barbecuing, place ribs on greased grill on medium heat. Baste with sauce. Continue turning and basting for about 15 minutes or until meat is nicely grilled and sauce is caramelized.

Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used. 

*adapted from recipe found in The Montreal Gazette

 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 840kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 59g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 223mg | Sodium: 588mg | Potassium: 1218mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 62g | Vitamin A: 5.3% | Vitamin C: 10.1% | Calcium: 13.5% | Iron: 19.2%

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