Sink your teeth into these mouthwatering barbecue rib tips!
These little morsels of meaty goodness are the perfect blend of smoky, sweet, and savory flavors. Slow-cooked to perfection, each bite is tender and juicy, with a caramelized exterior that’ll have you licking your fingers.
My secret? A homemade dry rub that infuses the meat with a complex flavor profile, followed by a generous slathering of my favorite BBQ sauce.
The result is just to die for!
Why You’ll Love These Barbecue Rib Tips
Crowd-Pleaser: These bite-sized morsels are perfect for parties, game days, or casual gatherings.
Mouthwatering Taste: The combination of smoky dry rub and tangy barbecue sauce creates a balance of sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavors.
Budget-Friendly: Rib tips are often more affordable than full racks of ribs. Enjoy a delicious barbecue feast without breaking the bank.
Low-Effort, High-Reward: The slow cooking method requires minimal hands-on time. Impress your guests with tender, flavorful ribs without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients
- Pork Rib Tips: They’re perfect for slow cooking, becoming tender and juicy as they absorb the rub and sauce.
- Olive Oil: It’s used to coat the rib tips. It helps the dry rub adhere better, ensuring a flavorful crust as the ribs cook.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: It’s optional but effective for tenderizing the meat. It adds a subtle tang to complement the richness of the ribs.
- Dry Rub: A blend of brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, cayenne pepper, chili powder, and cumin.
- Barbecue Sauce: The final touch. It caramelizes under the broiler, adding a sticky, sweet, and tangy glaze to the ribs. Use your favorite store-bought or homemade version for a personalized taste.
How to Make Barbecue Rib Tips
You won’t believe how easy these rib tips are to make!
1. Prepare the rib tips. Trim any excess fat or loose pieces from the rib tips. Soak the rib tips in a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water (1:1 ratio) for 1-2 hours if you want extra tenderness.
2. Preheat and season. Preheat your oven to 275°F. Pat the rib tips dry and rub them with olive oil. In a small bowl, mix all the dry rub ingredients together. Generously coat the rib tips with the dry rub. Let them sit for 15-30 minutes to absorb the flavors, or refrigerate overnight for best results.
3. Slow cook the rib tips. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top. Arrange the rib tips on the rack, meaty side up, and cover loosely with foil to retain moisture. Cook in the oven at 275°F for 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the meat is tender and begins pulling away from the bone.
4. Sauce and broil. After slow cooking, remove the ribs and brush them generously with barbecue sauce. Set your oven to broil. Place the ribs on the top rack, about 6 inches from the heat source. Broil for 2-4 minutes, watching closely until the sauce bubbles and begins to char slightly.
5. Rest and serve. Let the ribs rest for about 10 minutes before serving to allow the juices to settle. Slice into bite-sized pieces and serve with extra barbecue sauce on the side if desired. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Barbecue Rib Tips
Try these tips and tricks for ribs to remember.
- Quality is key. Opt for meaty, well-marbled rib tips for maximum flavor and tenderness.
- Ditch the excess fat. Remove any large pieces of fat to prevent flare-ups and create a better texture.
- Lock in moisture. Wrapping rib tips in foil halfway through cooking helps lock in moisture.
- Fire up the grill. For a grilled version, preheat your grill to 275-300°F and cook the rib tips over indirect heat for 2-3 hours, flipping and basting with barbecue sauce every 20-25 minutes.
- Have fun with variations. Experiment with different dry rub flavors, sauces, and even proteins like beef short ribs or chicken wings. You can also cook them “Chicago-style” by increasing the temperature to 300°F and basting more frequently with sauce.
- Make an entire feast. Serve the rib tips with extra barbecue sauce on the side, and consider pairing them with classic barbecue sides like coleslaw, baked beans, or corn on the cob.
How to Store
If you have leftover ribs, enjoy them the next day and beyond with these tips.
To Store: Place cooled rib tips in an air-tight container or wrap tightly in aluminum foil. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
To Freeze: Wrap cooled rib tips tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, and place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months, thawing in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
To Reheat: Preheat oven to 250°F, place rib tips in a baking dish with a splash of water, cover with foil, and heat for 20-30 minutes. Or, microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes. Check them frequently to avoid overcooking.
Hi Kim, where do you find rib tips? I have seen and bought pork ribs and country style ribs but I have never seen rib tips.
Thanks……….the recipe looks wonderful