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Lord of the Rings , Orcs , Main Course , Pork / July 26, 2025

Sweet and Spicy Oven Baked Ribs

BY Alison Wiebe

Revelio Recipe
orc food, mordor recipes

These sweet and spicy oven baked ribs slathered in a fiery glaze worthy of Mount Doom are a feast fit for the fiercest Orcs of Mordor.

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Summer IN MIDDLE EARTH

Under the warm golden sun of summer, as the days grow long and the earth teems with new growth, we imagine what foods would fill the tables of JRR Tolkien’s Middle Earth. As the gardens begin to offer up their treasures, all the races of Middle Earth would celebrate the season of abundance. From lush gardens and flowering orchards, what exquisite dishes would grace the elegant tables of the Elven kingdoms or the great halls of the Dwarven kings? As the fields yield their golden crops and the hedgerows offer up their treasures, we can wonder at what foods would be enjoyed from the far cities of men to the quiet hills of the Shire. Let us explore together some of the culinary delights from different lands for a Summer Feast in Middle Earth.

In Mordor

In the scorched shadow of Mt Doom, the summer sun heats the barren lands of Mordor where the hordes of orcs gather to feast. Ash fills the air as they slowly roast meat over smouldering coals. Spices taken from their allies to the East and the South bring exotic and spicy flavours to their cooking. Baked slowly until tender and falling off the bone, pork ribs are then slathered in a sweet and fiery glaze and broiled until caramelized. These ribs are the perfect dish to fuel the fiercest orc warriors as they prepare for battle.

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Ingredients

Pork ribs: When it comes to pork ribs, there are several different types to choose from – each one coming from a different part of the animal. Baby back ribs are smaller and taken from the top of the rib cage. They are leaner and more curved in shape. Spare ribs are taken from lower down the rib cage. They are flatter and have more fat than baby back ribs. They also usually have more meat attached to the bones. St Louis-style ribs are essentially spare ribs that have been cut into a specific rectangular shape. This recipe can be used for any of these types of ribs. The cooking time may need to be adjusted based on the size and thickness of the rack of ribs. Begin checking the ribs at the 2 1/2 hour mark, adding more time as needed.

Cayenne: Both the spice rub and BBQ sauce get their heat from cayenne pepper. The measurements are given on a sliding scale. Use 1/4 tsp if you want a mild heat and 1/2 tsp if you prefer a medium heat. You can always add more to taste if you prefer.

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How to Make Sweet and Spicy Oven Baked Ribs

Make the dry rub

sweet and spicy ribs recipe

Preheat the oven to 275°F. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, spices, kosher salt, and pepper. Pat the ribs dry with paper towel. Tear two long strips of tin foil per each rack of ribs. Layer two pieces of foil together and spray with non-stick spray. Rub each rack all over with the dry rub. Place each rack on the prepared foil with the bones down.

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Bring the sides of the foil up and roll them down together tightly. Roll the ends up tightly. Don’t tuck the ends under the ribs or the juices could leak out and burn on the baking sheet.

Bake the ribs

Transfer the wrapped ribs onto a baking sheet. Bake for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until the meat is very tender. Check the ribs at the 2 1/2 hour mark and keep checking every 15 minutes until done. The ribs are done when the meat is very tender and pulls away easily from the bones.

Make the sauce

While the ribs are baking, make the BBQ sauce. In a medium saucepan, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, spices, kosher salt, and pepper. Whisk together and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring regularly.

Finish the ribs

When the ribs are done, remove and switch the oven to broil. Unwrap the ribs and carefully transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet. Flip the ribs so that the bones are facing up. Use a brush to liberally spread the sauce over the back of the ribs.

Broil the ribs, bones up, for 2 to 4 minutes until the sauce begins to caramelize. Flip the racks over and brush the tops liberally with more sauce. Broil for another 2 to 4 minutes. Keep a close eye on the ribs to make sure they don’t burn under the broiler.

Serve the Sweet and Spicy Oven Baked Ribs

To serve, use a sharp knife to split between the bones into either large portions or single bone pieces. Serve with the remaining BBQ sauce and enjoy!

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More Summer Recipes from Middle Earth

Spread the Enchantment

Sweet and Spicy Oven Baked Ribs

Servings 4 servings
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients 

  • 2 slabs pork ribs, baby back, spare, or St Louis cut

Spice Rub

  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 ½ tbsp kosher salt
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • ¼ tsp to ½ tsp cayenne pepper
  • ½ tsp black pepper

BBQ Sauce

  • 1 cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ¼ tsp to ½ tsp cayenne pepper
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 275°F. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, spices, kosher salt, and pepper. Pat the ribs dry with paper towel. Tear two long strips of tin foil per each rack of ribs. Layer two pieces of foil together and spray with non-stick spray. Rub each rack all over with the dry rub. Place each rack on the prepared foil with the bones down.
  • Bring the sides of the foil up and roll them down together tightly. Roll the ends up tightly. Don't tuck the ends under the ribs or the juices could leak out and burn on the baking sheet.
  • Transfer the wrapped ribs onto a baking sheet. Bake for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until the meat is very tender. Check the ribs at the 2 1/2 hour mark and keep checking every 15 minutes until done. The ribs are done when the meat is very tender and pulls away easily from the bones.
  • While the ribs are baking, make the BBQ sauce. In a medium saucepan, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, spices, kosher salt, and pepper. Whisk together and cook over medium low heat for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring regularly.
  • When the ribs are done, remove and switch the oven to broil. Unwrap the ribs and carefully transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet. Flip the ribs so that the bones are facing up. Use a brush to liberally spread the sauce over the back of the ribs.
  • Broil the ribs, bones up, for 2 to 4 minutes until the sauce begins to caramelize. Flip the racks over and brush the tops liberally with more sauce. Broil for another 2 to 4 minutes. Keep a close eye on the ribs to make sure they don't burn under the broiler. 
  • To serve, use a sharp knife to split between the bones into either large portions or single bone pieces. Serve with the remaining BBQ sauce and enjoy!

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