kansas city style

Kansas City Style Ribs are characterized by a brown sugar spice dry rub and thick, sticky sauce brushed on in the last 30 minutes of cooking. Nutritional info is for ribs only. See other recipes for Nutrition info for Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce and Dry Rub.

How to Make Kansas City Style Ribs

baby back pork ribs

Oak wood chips (soaked (if smoking))

Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce ((recipe link))

Kansas City Style Dry Rub ((recipe link))

tsp Liquid Smoke ((See Note 1))

Whisk together the Kansas City Style Dry Rub spices together and set aside.

Remove the membrane from the back of the rack, and trim the pork ribs of any excess fat. Rub each rack liberally with the rub on both sides. Wrap ribs in foil or large container and refrigerate over night (optional, minimum 2 hours).

Remove the ribs from the fridge and allow to come to room temperature. Soak wood chips and start your grill or smoker.

Mix together the Kansas City Style barbecue sauce recipe and set aside or use your favorite.

If you like it low and slow, set up the grill and preheat to 225°F. Add smoker chips per manufacturer's instructions if using.

Place the ribs, bone side down, in the center of the grate, cover the grill and and cook the ribs about 4 to 5 hours for baby backs or 5 to 6 hours for spare ribs.

In the last hour of grilling/smoking, baste the top of each rack with the reserved marinade or BBQ sauce every 15 minutes and close the lid. At this point they should be tender enough to pull apart with your fingers.

Remove from the grill and let the ribs rest for a few minutes, then cut the ribs.

If you don’t have the time: Set up the grill and preheat to medium (325° to 350°F).&nbsp;

Place the ribs, bone side down, in the center of the grate, cover the grill and cook the ribs for 2 1/2 to 3 hours for spare ribs or 1 1/2 to 2 hours for baby back ribs.

In the last hour of grilling/smoking, baste the top of each rack with the reserved marinade or BBQ sauce every 15 minutes and close the lid. At this point they should be tender enough to pull apart with your fingers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

For the Grill:

Set up and light the smoker according to the manufacturer’s instructions and preheat it to low (225°F). Add smoker chips per manufacturer's instructions.

Place the ribs in the smoker bone side down and smoke until cooked through, 4 to 5 hours for baby backs or 5 to 6 hours for spare ribs.

In the last 2 hours of grilling/smoking, baste the top of each rack with the reserved marinade or BBQ sauce every 15 minutes and close the lid. At this point they should be tender enough to pull apart with your fingers.

Remove from the smoker and let the ribs rest for a few minutes, then cut the ribs.

For the Smoker:

Preheat oven to 325°F.

Place the ribs, bone side down, on top of a wire rack set in an aluminum foil lined baking tray and bake for 2 1/2 to 3 hours for spare ribs or 1 1/2 to 2 hours for baby back ribs. Halfway through, cover ribs with aluminum foil to protect them from drying out.

In the last 1/2 hour of baking, baste the top of each rack with the barbecue sauce, re-cover with foil, and finish cooking. At this point they should be tender enough to pull apart with your fingers. You want the ribs to have an internal temperature of 145°F. Allow to rest 5-10 minutes prior to cutting.

For the Oven:

Place trivet in bottom of pot and add 1 cup of water (or apple/pineapple juice, optional).

Set ribs upright on the trivet so they are not stacked on top of one another.

Close lid and vent. Select Manual Pressure and set timer for 24 minutes (25-28 minutes depending if they’re extra meaty).&nbsp;

Once done, allow the Instant Pot to go through natural release.

Brush with marinade or barbecue sauce (or olive oil/seasoning for dry ribs) and broil or grill until slightly sticky and slightly charred.

For the Instant Pot:

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How to Make Kansas City Style Ribs

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