You don't need a smoker to cook smoked ribs. All you need is a roasting pan, some moistened wood chips and your oven. Whether you choose baby back ribs, the meatier variety, or spareribs, less meaty but full of pork flavor, you can impart a delicious smoky taste to this classic dish without the bother of firing up a smoker or grill. Oven smoking lets you enjoy this summertime favorite even in the middle of winter.
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 225 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2
Mix together 2 tbsp. of brown sugar, 1 tbsp. of black pepper, 1 tbsp. of ground cumin, 1 tbsp. of chili powder and 2 tbsp. of paprika.
Step 3
Rub the dry mixture over the entire surface of the spareribs.
Step 4
Put a layer of hickory or oak chips into the bottom of the roasting pan and add water to moisten the chips. Allow just a small amount of water to remain on the bottom of the pan.
Step 5
Set a rack on top of the roasting pan, over the moistened chips, and put the spareribs on the rack.
Step 6
Set the pan on a sheet of aluminum foil. Bring the ends of the foil up to meet in the center and twist them together, making a tent shape at the top.
Step 7
Bake the spareribs for two hours, 30 minutes to three hours or until they are tender.
Step 8
Remove the aluminum foil from the roasting pan. Set the rack containing the spareribs under the broiler and broil the ribs for about five minutes, until they are brown and crisp.
Tips and Warnings
- For added flavor, brush the ribs with barbecue sauce before putting them under the broiler.
Things You'll Need
- 2 tbsp. brown sugar
- 1 tbsp. black pepper
- 1 tbsp. ground cumin
- 1 tbsp. chili powder
- 2 tbsp. paprika
- 2 to 3 lbs. spareribs or baby back ribs
- Hickory or oak chips
- Roasting pan with rack
- Water
- Aluminum foil
