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Tomato Barbecue Baby Back Ribs

Peer reviewed by UK recipe editorsAuthored by UK recipe editorsOriginally published 17 Jan 2026

Meets Patient’s editorial guidelines

These tomato barbecue baby back ribs are the ultimate comfort food for meat lovers. The homemade sauce combines the deep, caramel notes of molasses with tangy cider vinegar and sweet ketchup, creating a thick glaze that clings perfectly to the meat. Slow-baked in the oven until tender, these ribs offer a balance of smoky, sweet and savoury flavours that far surpass any shop-bought alternative.

As a high-protein main course, this dish is ideal for weekend entertaining or a hearty family dinner. Serving the ribs with a crisp apple slaw or buttery corn on the cob provides a fresh contrast to the rich glaze. Simple to prepare and rewarding to eat, this recipe ensures succulent results every time by using a two-stage baking method to lock in moisture.

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Ingredients for Tomato Barbecue Baby Back Ribs

  • 160g coarsely chopped onion

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons coarsely chopped garlic (2 cloves)

  • 350ml ketchup

  • 60ml molasses (not blackstrap)

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons cider vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon light brown sugar

  • 2 teaspoons salt

  • 2 teaspoons black pepper

  • 1.8kg baby back ribs (4 racks)

How to make Tomato Barbecue Baby Back Ribs

Put oven rack in lower third of oven and preheat oven to 177°C. Line a 17- by 12- by 1-inch shallow baking pan with foil.

Stir together all sauce ingredients in a 2-quart heavy saucepan and bring to a boil over moderate heat. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, 15 minutes.

Transfer sauce to a food processor and purée until smooth.

Coat both sides of ribs with sauce. Arrange ribs, meaty side up, in 1 layer in baking pan, overlapping if necessary. Cover pan tightly with foil and bake ribs 1 hour. Remove foil (from top) and bake ribs 1 hour more.

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.

  • 17 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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