These sticky barbecue ribs recipe will have you licking your fingers and wanting more. Delicious and succulent ribs that are perfect for a barbecue or just cooking in the oven.

There is something about the sunshine that brings out the caveman in men. The barbecues come out and they take over the cooking. Meat is on the menu, burgers, sausages, kebabs and ribs. There is something primal about ribs. Eating them with your fingers and pulling the meat from them with your teeth will satisfy the most confirmed carnivore. Meat on bone is more flavourful and ribs are succulent due in part to the fat around them. These sticky barbecue ribs are perfect for barbecues. Succulent and tender with a sticky barbecue sauce, you won’t be able to stop eating them.

How to cook ribs

Ribs are a speciality of the American barbecue. In the 19th Century pigs were a big part of the diet. They were low maintenance as they could be left to forage for food in woodland. As a result they became semi-wild and when it was time to eat them it took effort to catch them. Pig slaughtering was a time for celebration. Large pits were dug and food left to cook slowly for hours. A range of sauces would accompany the meat. Ribs would be a part of the feast. Cooking them slowly left them tender and easy to pull apart.

In Britain barbecue food cooks more quickly over charcoal. To make the meat tender the best way to barbecue ribs is to cook them slowly in the oven for a couple of hours until they are tender. Finish them off on the barbecue or under the grill after brushing them with sauce. This will create the authentic barbecue taste with little effort.

Sticky barbecue ribs

If you are a busy mum you may think that sticky barbecue ribs are going to be time consuming to make. The reality is that they are actually very easy. Pop the ribs in a marinade in the oven and leave them cooking slowly for a couple of hours. While they are cooking you can get on with other things. The marinade for the ribs takes a couple of  minutes to make.

The only part that is time consuming is making the sauce. This takes about fifteen minute to reach the right consistency. While the sauce is simmering stir it constantly so you known when it thickens. When it is ready just brush it onto the ribs and finish them on the barbecue or under the grill. The men in your family will love this sticky barbecue ribs recipe and they will think you have made lots of effort.

Sticky barbecue ribs recipe

Why not pin the recipe to make later?

Side dishes to serve with sticky barbecue ribs

Sticky barbecue ribs should be the star of the show and need little to accompany them. The enjoyment of eating with your fingers and ripping the meat from the bone is often more than enough. Sides should be simple and easily eaten with a spoon. A simple home made coleslaw is a great side dish. Just slice up some white cabbage, grate some carrots and mix them up with mayonnaise or salad cream. A little dash of English mustard will add some bite.

A dish that really brings out the flavour of the ribs is home made barbecue baked beans. . These have a lovely smoky flavour that perfectly complements the sticky ribs. A combination of these two dishes is a definite winner. Just don’t forget to have plenty of napkins on hand for those sticky fingers.

What is your favourite dish for serving at a barbecue? Let me know below.

Linking up to the kitchen clearout linky on Madhouse Family Reviews as I found a great use for a tin of black treacle that has been lurking in the cupboard for ages.