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Sweetie Pie's Tender Oven-Baked St. Louis-Style BBQ Ribs

These tender oven-baked BBQ ribs are a classic soul-food favourite, offering deeply succulent meat with a sticky, caramelised finish. By marinating the pork in unsweetened pineapple juice, the natural enzymes break down the fibres, ensuring every bite is melt-in-the-mouth soft. This high-protein dish is flavoured with a simple dry rub of paprika and black pepper before being finished with a rich glaze of your favourite barbecue sauce.

Ideal for a weekend family dinner or a relaxed gathering, this recipe brings the flavour of an outdoor grill into your kitchen using a simple two-stage baking method. Serve these ribs alongside a crisp green salad or some homemade coleslaw for a balanced, protein-packed meal that both adults and children will enjoy.

Continue reading below

Ingredients for Sweetie Pie's Tender Oven-Baked St. Louis-Style BBQ Ribs

  • 2 to 1.8kg boneless pork ribs (you could also use beef)

  • 240ml pineapple juice, unsweetened

  • 2 teaspoons salt

  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

  • 2 teaspoons sugar

  • 1 teaspoon paprika

  • About 350ml water

  • 240ml Barbecue Sauce

  1. Preheat the oven to 121°C.

  2. Wash the ribs under cold running water and pat them dry.

  3. Put the ribs in a large deep dish and pour the pineapple juice over it. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

  4. Whisk together the salt, pepper, sugar, and paprika in a large baking dish. Roll the ribs in the mixture, then arrange them in the baking dish. Add enough water to come halfway up the sides of the baking pan.

  5. Bake the ribs for about 1 hour or until they are no longer pink when the meat is sliced away from the bone, then remove them from the oven and drain. Add the barbecue sauce and toss the ribs evenly to coat.

  6. Increase the oven temperature to 204°C and return the baking dish to the oven. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes. Remove from heat and serve.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 28 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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