Tender Southern Barbecue Ribs with a Rich Homemade Sauce
Barbecue Ribs are a Southern favorite, featuring meaty pork ribs seasoned with spices and slowly simmered in a flavorful homemade barbecue sauce. Finished with frequent basting, the ribs become tender, juicy, and coated in a tangy, savory glaze that’s perfect for family dinners, cookouts, or weekend gatherings.
Featured in Big Mama’s Old Black Pot Recipes by Ethel Rayson Dixon, this recipe reflects the Southern tradition of slow-cooking meats and building bold flavor from simple pantry ingredients.
Ingredients
- 8 pounds ribs
- 3 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cooking oil
- 4 cups tomato sauce
- 3/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper
Serves: 6–8
Instructions
- Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of lemon juice and the pepper over the ribs. Let them stand for about 1 hour to absorb the seasoning.
- Rub the ribs thoroughly with the salt.
- Heat the cooking oil in a large skillet or heavy pot and sear the ribs on both sides until lightly browned.
- In a separate bowl, combine the tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, butter, brown sugar, vinegar, the remaining lemon juice, and red pepper.
- Pour the barbecue sauce over the browned ribs.
- Cover and simmer over low heat for approximately 20 minutes.
- Baste the ribs frequently with the sauce as they cook to keep them moist and flavorful.
- Continue cooking until the meat is tender and easily pulls away from the bone.
- Serve hot with extra barbecue sauce spooned over the top.
Closing Summary / Pro Tips
- Slow simmering helps produce tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs.
- Basting throughout cooking builds a rich, flavorful glaze.
- Serve with coleslaw, baked beans, potato salad, or cornbread for a classic Southern meal.
- Leftover sauce makes an excellent topping for pulled pork or grilled chicken.
About the Creator
Ethel Rayson Dixon, a Louisiana native, shares recipes inspired by generations of Southern home cooking. Her cookbook highlights comforting dishes rooted in Black culinary traditions and celebrates the warmth of homemade meals prepared with simple ingredients and care.
Ethel Rayson Dixon | Big Mama’s Old Black Pot Recipes
Where to Find This Recipe
This recipe is adapted from Big Mama’s Old Black Pot Recipes by Ethel Rayson Dixon.
Find more amazing recipes like this in the book, available through local booksellers and online retailers.
