Quick Look at this Simple Rib Marinade
- Made In: 5 minutes!
- Marinate Time: at least 30-60 minutes or overnight
- Yield: enough for 2 racks of ribs
- Main Ingredients: soy sauce, ketchup, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and seasonings
- Secret Ingredient: a bit of lemon zest – the acidity amplifies all the flavor!
- Dietary Info: dairy-free, gluten-free
- Why You’ll Love It: There aren’t too many things better than a perfectly cooked, juicy rack of ribs (hello easy oven baked ribs)! The best way to cook the most juicy and tender ribs is to start with a homemade rib marinade. It can be made with 10 simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand. Perfect for our baby back ribs, no matter how they are cooked!
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Key Ingredients + Substitutions
Be sure to see the recipe card below for a full listing of ingredients, instructions, and estimated nutritional information.
- Soy Sauce: a staple of so many delicious homemade marinade recipes, plus it can easily be swapped out for tamari or coconut aminos.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: helps to tenderize the pork ribs and bring just a bit of tang.
- Lemon Zest: this touch of acidity helps to enhance all the other flavors of the marinade.
- Ketchup: another traditional marinade ingredient that brings a touch of sweetness without adding sugar.
How To Make A Rib Marinade
Step 1 – Put all of the ingredients in a small bowl.
Step 2 – Whisk to combine.
Step 3 – Pour the marinade over the ribs and rub to coat.
Step 4 – Remove from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off before cooking.
Best Ways To Cook Marinated Ribs
There are so many great ways to cook the best baby back ribs, here are a few favorites:
- Smoker: if you like a more smokey flavor and slow cooking, you can use an electric smoker to make our tried and true smoked baby back ribs.
- Grilled: to get a slight char on the outside, we suggest cooking up some of the best grilled ribs!
- Oven Baked: now if you don’t have access to a smoker or grill, you can follow our recipe for oven baked ribs.
Rib Marinade FAQs
Yes, this marinade recipe would be great with spare ribs, short ribs, country style ribs, back back ribs, etc.
Let them sit in the marinade for at least 30-60 minutes for a quick marinade, but if you have the time, they really benefit from 12 hours or sitting overnight in the fridge.
This depends on how you like your ribs. If you prefer them with more of a bark or sugar crystalization on the outside, then you will want to go with a rib dry rub. But if you just want to add flavor and moisture to the rib meat, then a marinade would be the right choice for you!
Yes, place the ribs and marinade in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months before thawing and cooking.
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Ingredients
- โ cup soy sauce, sub Tamari for gluten-free
- ยผ cup extra virgin olive oil, or avocado oil
- ยผ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- pinch of kosher salt and ground black pepper
Instructions
- Combine: In a small bowl, add โ cup soy sauce, ยผ cup extra virgin olive oil, ยผ cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons garlic, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, and a pinch of kosher salt and ground black pepper. Whisk to combine. Set aside.ย
- Prep Ribs: Pat ribs dry with clean paper towel. Place them meat side down, on a baking sheet. Using a small knife, gently lift off the corner of the membrane (a layer of thin connective tissue) and gently pull to remove.
- Marinate: Place ribs in 9×13 baking dish and pour marinade over top – rub marinade all over ensuring it covers every nook and cranny. Cover and let marinate 30-60 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Cook Ribs: Remove from marinade (discard excess) and cook your ribs your favorite way – we love grilled ribs, oven baked ribs and smoked baby back ribs!
Notes
- Yield: This makes enough to marinate 2 racks of ribs.
- Gluten-Free: sub Tamari or coconut aminos for the soy sauce to make this gluten-free.
- Overnight: the recipe card notes to let the ribs marinate for at least 30-60 minutes, but if you have the time you can let them sit overnight for maximum juiciness!
- Storage: option to prep these ahead of time and let them marinate overnight in the fridge or in freezer-safe bags in the freezer for up to 3 months.ย Then just thaw in the fridge and cook any way you want!
EH says
So good!