Make Mouthwatering Honey Baked Ham Ribs at Home

Honey baked ham ribs are an amazing entrée that will quickly become a family favorite. With a delicious honey glaze coating juicy, tender ribs, these ribs offer an ideal mix of savory and sweet flavors. The prep time is minimal, but the ribs do need to bake low and slow in the oven for fall-off-the-bone texture. Read on to learn the incredibly easy process of preparing honey baked ham ribs right in your own kitchen.

Why Honey Baked Ham Ribs Are So Popular

There are several reasons why honey baked ham ribs have gained popularity over the years

• They’re simple to make. The ingredient list is short and chances are you have a lot of the ingredients on hand already. There’s no complicated techniques or fancy kitchen tools required.

• The flavor is unbeatable. The honey glaze provides the perfect balance of sweet and salty. As the ribs bake, the meat soaks up all that yummy glaze.

• They’re crowd-pleasers. Both kids and adults go crazy for these ribs. They have kid-friendly flavors but definitely appeal to adult palates as well.

• You can prep them ahead. Honey baked ribs can be prepared a day or two in advance then cooked right before serving. This makes them ideal for parties, holidays, and other get-togethers.

• They’re budget-friendly. Ribs are usually an affordable cut of meat. With just a few additional ingredients for the glaze, honey baked ribs make for an economical entrée.

Selecting the Best Ribs for Honey Baked Ham Ribs

For optimal flavor and texture, choose pork loin back ribs, also known as baby back ribs. This cut comes from the upper area of the ribs closer to the spine, above the spare ribs. Here’s what makes them the perfect choice:

• More tender and lean. Baby back ribs contain less fat and connective tissue than spare ribs. They have a milder pork flavor as well.

• Shorter cooking time. Since they’re so lean and tender, baby back ribs cook faster than other cuts of ribs. They’ll be done in 2-3 hours.

• Ideal rib count. Slabs of baby back ribs usually contain 8-13 ribs – exactly what you need for a meal for 4-6 people.

• Bone sizes are manageable. The smaller rib bones make these ribs easy for anyone to eat. You don’t need massive pieces of meat falling off the bone.

When purchasing baby back ribs, allow for 1/2 pound of ribs per person. For a dinner for 4-6 people, grab 2-3 pounds of baby back ribs total.

The Foolproof Method for Cooking Honey Baked Ham Ribs

Cooking honey baked ham ribs is a total cinch. Here are the simple steps:

Gather Your Ingredients

You’ll need:

• 2-3 lbs pork baby back ribs
• 1 cup honey
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp yellow mustard
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Prep the Ribs

• Line a large baking pan with foil and lightly grease it.
• Pat the ribs dry with paper towels. Remove the thin membrane from the back of the ribs if it hasn’t been removed already.
• Place the ribs meaty-side up in the prepared pan. Try not to overlap them too much if possible.

Make the Honey Glaze

Whisk together the honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, mustard, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and pepper in a medium bowl.

Bake the Ribs

• Pour the glaze evenly over the ribs in the pan, flipping to coat both sides.
• Cover the pan tightly with foil. Bake for 2 hours at 300°F.
• Remove the foil and brush any excess glaze over the ribs again. Bake uncovered for 30-60 more minutes until browned and caramelized.

Finish and Serve

When ribs are finished baking, remove pan from oven and let rest 5-10 minutes before cutting individual ribs apart. Serve while hot. Enjoy!

Tips for Maximizing Flavor

Follow these tips for the most irresistibly delicious honey baked ham ribs ever:

• Choose high-quality ribs from a trusted butcher or meat market. This makes a difference in flavor.

• Apply a generous amount of the glaze before and during baking. Brush on any excess glaze on ribs a few times during baking for maximum flavor impact.

• Add extra garlic and Worcestershire sauce to the glaze if you want to amplify the savory flavors.

• For caramelized ribs, bake uncovered for longer until the meat browns and the glaze gets sticky.

• Let ribs rest after baking so juices can reabsorb before cutting apart and serving.

• Serve ribs with traditional BBQ sides like cornbread, coleslaw, baked beans, or mac and cheese.

How to Store and Reheat Leftover Ribs

One of the best parts about honey baked ham ribs is enjoying delicious leftovers for days after. Here are some storage and reheating tips:

• Let ribs cool completely, then store leftover individual ribs in an airtight container. They’ll keep 3-4 days in the fridge.

• Frozen ribs will last 2-3 months. Wrap ribs tightly in plastic wrap or foil before freezing.

• To reheat, place ribs on a baking sheet and bake at 300°F for 20 minutes until heated through. Microwaving makes the ribs rubbery.

• If ribs were sauced before storing, only reheat until just warm. Too much reheating can make the sauce dry out.

• Ribs can also be reheated on the grill or in a skillet to add crispiness. Brush with more glaze or sauce first.

Common Questions

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about making honey baked ham ribs at home:

What types of honey work best for the glaze?

For the most flavor, use a mild flavored honey like wildflower, clover, or orange blossom. Avoid strong flavored honeys like buckwheat.

Can I use a dry rub instead of a glaze?

Absolutely! A sweet rib rub containing brown sugar, spices, and mustard powder can be applied before baking instead of honey glaze.

What if my ribs aren’t done after 2 hours?

Check for doneness after 2 hours, as cook times can vary. Bake for 15-30 more minutes if ribs are tender but not yet fall-off-the-bone.

Do the ribs need to be boiled or smoked first?

No, this recipe doesn’t require any pre-cooking. The long oven bake time is sufficient to fully cook and tenderize the ribs.

What sides go well with honey baked ribs?

In addition to classic BBQ sides, try fresh corn on the cob, watermelon slices, cornbread, or a crisp garden salad.

Making honey baked ham ribs is one of the most gratifying ways to put a flavorful meal on your dinner table. In just a few easy steps, you can bake up the most irresistible ribs ever. Surprise your family with this recipe, and it’s sure to become a new favorite. Enjoy the sounds of everyone devouring the finger-licking ribs!