Whole30 Smoky BBQ Spare Ribs

Get ready to elevate your backyard barbecue with these tender and flavor-packed *Whole30 Smoky BBQ Spare Ribs*! Perfectly seasoned with a smoky spice rub featuring smoked paprika, mustard powder, and a hint of cayenne, these ribs are slow-baked to fall-off-the-bone perfection. The homemade Whole30-compliant barbecue sauce—crafted with tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, unsweetened apple juice, and a dash of liquid smoke—adds a tangy, smoky-sweet glaze that pairs flawlessly with the rich pork flavor. Finished on the grill for a caramelized, sticky crust, these ribs are perfect for summer cookouts or comfort food cravings. Gluten-free, sugar-free, and paleo-friendly, this recipe delivers bold taste while staying true to your clean-eating goals. Serve them fresh off the grill with extra sauce for dipping and watch them disappear in no time!

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:180 mins

Total Time:200 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 3 pounds Pork spare ribs
• 2 tablespoons Smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon Garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon Onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Mustard powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Cayenne pepper (optional)
• 6 ounces Tomato paste
• 0.5 cup Apple cider vinegar
• 0.5 cup Unsweetened apple juice
• 0.25 cup Coconut aminos
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Liquid smoke

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).

Step 2

Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs for tenderness.

Step 3

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

Step 4

Rub this spice mixture evenly over both sides of the ribs.

Step 5

Place the ribs on a large piece of foil on a baking sheet, meaty side up, and cover them tightly with another piece of foil to create a sealed packet.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven for 2.5 hours until the ribs are tender and fully cooked.

Step 7

While the ribs are baking, prepare the barbecue sauce: In a saucepan, combine the tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, apple juice, coconut aminos, minced garlic, and liquid smoke.

Step 8

Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.

Step 9

Once the ribs are done, remove them from the oven and take off the top foil layer.

Step 10

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.

Step 11

Brush the ribs generously with the prepared barbecue sauce.

Step 12

Grill the ribs for 5-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the sauce has caramelized.

Step 13

Remove from the grill, let the ribs rest for a few minutes, then cut into individual portions and serve with the remaining sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1882.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4446.7

Total Fat 322.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 116.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 1197.5mg	0%
Sodium 4684.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 83.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.4g	0%
Total Sugars 46.3g
Protein 291.0g	0%

Vitamin D 598.7IU	0%
Calcium 491.7mg	0%
Iron 25.2mg	0%
Potassium 5482.2mg	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: 65.9%

Protein: 26.5%

Carbs: 7.6%