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Finger-Lickin’ Babyback Ribs

A delicious classic American barbecue featuring tender babyback ribs served with buttery corn on the cob, crispy handcut fries, refreshing pasta salad, and sweet cornbread.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Barbecue
Calories: 700
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Babyback Ribs
  • 2 racks babyback ribs
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce Your favorite brand
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp paprika
For the Corn on the Cob
  • 4 ears corn, husked
  • Butter (for serving)
  • Salt (to taste)
For the Handcut Fries
  • 4 large russet potatoes
  • Oil (for frying)
  • Salt (to taste)
For the Pasta Salad
  • 1 pound pasta, your choice
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup olives, optional
  • 1/4 cup Italian dressing
For the Cornbread
  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1/2 cup melted butter

Method
 

Prep the Ribs
  1. Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C).
  2. Season the ribs generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
  3. Wrap the ribs tightly in aluminum foil and place them on a baking sheet.
  4. Bake for 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the ribs are tender.
Make the Corn on the Cob
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Add the corn and cook for about 5-7 minutes until tender.
  3. Butter the corn when serving.
Handcut Fries
  1. Peel and slice the potatoes into thin strips.
  2. Soak them in cold water for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Heat oil in a fryer or a large pot to 350°F (175°C).
  4. Fry the potatoes in batches until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
  5. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt.
Whip Up the Pasta Salad
  1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions, drain, and rinse under cold water.
  2. In a large bowl, mix the pasta with the diced bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, olives, and Italian dressing.
  3. Toss to combine and set aside.
Prepare the Cornbread
  1. In a mixing bowl, combine cornmeal, milk, sugar, baking powder, melted butter, and eggs.
  2. Stir until everything is evenly combined.
  3. Pour the batter into a greased baking dish.
  4. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
Finish the Ribs
  1. When the ribs are tender, remove them from the oven.
  2. Brush the ribs generously with barbecue sauce mixed with apple cider vinegar.
  3. Broil for an additional 5-10 minutes to caramelize the sauce.

Notes

Don’t Skip the Soaking: Soaking the fries is worth it for crispy fries! Feel free to tweak the barbecue sauce with hot sauce or honey for an extra kick.