Heart-Healthy Classic Barbecue Pork Ribs

Indulge in the smoky, savory flavors of these *Heart-Healthy Classic Barbecue Pork Ribs*—a lighter twist on a traditional favorite! This recipe features lean-cut pork ribs seasoned with a bold blend of smoked paprika, garlic powder, and low-sodium soy sauce, then slow-baked to tender perfection. The homemade barbecue sauce, made with apple cider vinegar, honey, and no-salt-added tomato paste, offers a deliciously tangy and sweet glaze without the excess sodium or sugar of store-bought alternatives. Finished in the oven for that crave-worthy caramelized finish, these ribs are proof that heart-healthy eating can still satisfy your barbecue cravings. Perfect for family dinners or weekend gatherings, this recipe is a nutritious indulgence you’ll love serving up.

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:180 mins

Total Time:200 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pounds Pork ribs (lean-cut)
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Honey
• 3 tablespoons Tomato paste (no added salt)
• 0.25 cup Water
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon Liquid smoke (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).

Step 2

In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, low-sodium soy sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground black pepper.

Step 3

Massage the spice mixture evenly onto both sides of the pork ribs.

Step 4

Place the ribs on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.

Step 5

Cover the ribs with another piece of foil and seal tightly to lock in moisture.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven for 2.5 hours or until the meat is tender.

Step 7

While the ribs are baking, prepare the heart-healthy barbecue sauce.

Step 8

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine apple cider vinegar, honey, tomato paste, water, ground cumin, and liquid smoke (if using).

Step 9

Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring frequently, and let it cook for about 10 minutes, or until slightly thickened.

Step 10

After the ribs have baked for 2.5 hours, remove them from the oven and remove the top foil.

Step 11

Brush the prepared barbecue sauce liberally over the ribs.

Step 12

Increase the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C).

Step 13

Return the ribs to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 30 minutes, allowing the sauce to caramelize slightly.

Step 14

Remove the ribs from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1133.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3082.3

Total Fat 235.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 81.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 725.7mg	0%
Sodium 1666.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 35.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 3.9g	0%
Total Sugars 24.2g
Protein 199.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 242.5mg	0%
Iron 14.3mg	0%
Potassium 2950.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 69.2%

Protein: 26.1%

Carbs: 4.7%