Whole30 Classic Barbecue Pork Ribs

Get ready to sink your teeth into the ultimate Whole30 Classic Barbecue Pork Ribs—an irresistible dish that combines juicy, fall-off-the-bone pork with a smoky, tangy, and completely Whole30-compliant homemade barbecue sauce. These ribs are generously coated in a bold spice rub featuring smoked paprika and cayenne pepper, then slow-cooked to tender perfection. The star of the recipe is the savory barbecue sauce, crafted with rich tomato paste, coconut aminos, and apple cider vinegar for a naturally sweet and tangy flavor without any added sugar. Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue or treating yourself to a wholesome comfort meal, these sticky, caramelized ribs are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Perfect for meal prep or Sunday dinner, this Whole30-approved recipe is a must-try for anyone craving classic barbecue flavors while sticking to clean eating principles.

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:240 mins

Total Time:270 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 slab (about 2.5 to 3 lbs) pork ribs
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 0.5 cup coconut aminos
• 0.25 cup apple cider vinegar
• 6 ounces tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon mustard powder
• 0.5 small, minced onion
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 0.5 cup water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C).

Step 2

Pat the slab of pork ribs dry with paper towels and remove the membrane from the back of the ribs, if needed.

Step 3

In a small bowl, mix together the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper.

Step 4

Rub the spice mixture evenly over both sides of the ribs, ensuring they are well coated.

Step 5

Place the ribs on a large piece of foil, bone-side down. Wrap them tightly with the foil to ensure no steam escapes and the ribs cook evenly.

Step 6

Place the foil-wrapped ribs on a baking sheet and bake for 3 hours in the preheated oven.

Step 7

While the ribs are baking, prepare the Whole30 barbecue sauce. Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced onion and garlic, stirring until the onion becomes translucent.

Step 8

Add the tomato paste to the saucepan, stirring to combine with the onion and garlic.

Step 9

Pour in the coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, and water, stirring to mix well.

Step 10

Add the mustard powder and continue to stir. Allow the sauce to simmer on low heat for about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens. Adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 11

Once the ribs have baked for 3 hours, remove the foil and increase the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C).

Step 12

Brush the ribs generously with the prepared barbecue sauce and return them to the oven for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the sauce caramelizes and the ribs are beautifully glazed.

Step 13

Remove the ribs from the oven and let them rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with any remaining barbecue sauce on the side.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1023.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1826.0

Total Fat 123.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 42.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 426.4mg	0%
Sodium 4981.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 75.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 12.4g	0%
Total Sugars 48.3g
Protein 104.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 253.3mg	0%
Iron 13.3mg	0%
Potassium 3165.2mg	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: 60.6%

Protein: 22.8%

Carbs: 16.6%