Easy Tony Roma Baby Back Ribs Recipe

Forget takeout—this Easy Tony Roma’s Baby Back Ribs copycat recipe lets you recreate the legendary tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs right in your own kitchen. With simple steps for slow-roasting them to perfection and coating them in a signature sweet and tangy BBQ sauce, these ribs are guaranteed to impress at your next meal.

If you’ve ever craved the famously tender, fall-off-the-bone flavor of restaurant-quality BBQ, this Easy Tony Roma’s Baby Back Ribs copycat recipe is your ticket to make your favorite ribs at home! (Oh, so good)

My husband, loves a great rib recipe, and this is one we have made tried and true over the years, it’s just so good!

We’ve simplified the cooking method to ensure that everyone out there can achieve perfectly succulent ribs every time, featuring a simple dry rub and a signature sweet and tangy BBQ sauce that bakes or slow-roasts until the meat is unbelievably tender.

Forget the expensive tab and the reservation; this recipe guarantees authentic, impressive results that will make you feel like a pitmaster.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

• Fall-Off-The-Bone Texture: These ribs are guaranteed to be unbelievably tender and moist, achieving that perfect, desirable fall-off-the-bone quality every single time.
• Signature Sweet & Tangy Sauce: You’ll recreate the iconic sweet and tangy BBQ sauce that made Tony Roma’s famous, giving you that authentic restaurant flavor at home.
• No Pitmaster Required: The simple slow-roasting method removes the guesswork, making it easy for any home cook to achieve impressive, professional results.
• Impressive Entertaining: These ribs are a showstopper, making them the ideal main dish for parties, BBQs, or family gatherings.
• Affordable Comfort: Skip the expensive restaurant bill and enjoy high-quality, craveable BBQ comfort for a fraction of the cost.

Tony Roma Baby Back Ribs Ingredients

• Baby Back Pork Ribs: You can either use baby back ribs or another type of pork ribs, including country ribs, short ribs, bone ribs, or even spare ribs.
• Brown Sugar: This helps tenderize the meat, and makes it tender.
• Seasonings: Salt, Garlic Powder, Paprika, Liquid Smoke, Chili Powder, and Black Pepper
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Tenderizes the meat (you can also use apple juice)
• Water: Needed to bring the Instant Pot to Pressure.

How To Make Easy Tony Roma Baby Back Ribs

Step One: Use a paper towel and peel the membrane off the back of the ribs, also known as the connective tissue. In a small bowl, mix all of your dry ingredients to make your rub. Massage the dry ingredients to the top layer of your ribs

Step Two: Pour your apple cider mixture into the bottom of your instant pot. Place the trivet inside. Place your ribs on the top of the trivet. Close the lid on your instant pot and close the sealing valve. So your instant pot to high pressure and the cooking time for 20 minutes. Once your instant pot is done cooking, allow it to release for 15 minutes naturally. After 15 minutes, manually released by opening the pressure release and releasing the remaining pressure, by a quick release.

Step Three: Remove your ribs to a baking sheet, or wire rack. Add your desired amount of barbecue sauce to the top of the ribs over the rub. Broil in the oven for about five minutes or until your barbecue sauce is bubbly. Allow the ribs to cool for a couple more minutes, cut them into sections, and enjoy! You can top it with your favorite barbecue sauce if you like.

Easy Tony Roma Baby Back Ribs Recipe Tips

• Remove the Membrane: This is the most crucial step for tender ribs! On the backside of the ribs, there is a thin, silvery membrane. Use a paper towel to grip a corner of the membrane and peel it off completely. Leaving it on results in tough, chewy ribs.
• Low and Slow is Key: To achieve that signature fall-off-the-bone texture, you must cook the ribs slowly at a low temperature (usually around 275°F to 300°F). Baking them wrapped tightly in foil helps steam them, ensuring they stay incredibly moist.
• Rub in Advance (Optional): If time allows, apply the dry rub and refrigerate the ribs for 4 to 12 hours before baking. This allows the seasoning to penetrate the meat for a deeper, more complex flavor.
• Sauce Late: Don’t apply the BBQ sauce until the ribs are fully cooked and tender. Sugar in the sauce will burn during the long bake time. Brush the ribs with sauce only during the last 15–20 minutes of cooking (after unwrapping) to caramelize the sauce perfectly.
• The Broiler Finish: For that perfect sticky, slightly charred exterior, finish the ribs under the broiler for 1–2 minutes after the final sauce application. Watch them closely so the sauce doesn’t burn!

Storing, Freezing & Reheating Instructions

• Storing: Store leftover cooked ribs tightly wrapped or sealed in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freezing: For longer storage, wrap cooled, cooked ribs tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating: To revive the texture and flavor, reheat ribs loosely wrapped in foil in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warmed through, brushing with a little extra BBQ sauce during the last few minutes.

Serving Suggestions

The delicious instant pot bbq ribs are all you need to make any meal complete. I like serving them with extra sauce and classic side dishes, such as:

• INSTANT POT POTATO SALAD
• AIR FRYER ROSEMARY ROASTED POTATOES
• LOADED NINJA FOODI POTATOES
• AIR FRYER MEXICAN STREET CORN ON THE COB

Easy Tony Roma Baby Back Ribs Recipe Faqs

Is it really necessary to remove the membrane? Yes, removing the membrane is crucial! The membrane is a thin, silvery layer on the bone side of the ribs. If you leave it on, it becomes tough and rubbery when cooked, preventing the ribs from achieving that ideal fall-off-the-bone texture and blocking the dry rub from penetrating the meat.

Can I use spare ribs or rib tips instead of baby back ribs? You can, but the cooking time will need adjustment. Spare ribs are meatier and fattier and generally require about 30 to 60 minutes more cooking time than baby back ribs to become fully tender.

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