Root Beer Glazed Ribs from BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse feature tender, slow-cooked pork ribs coated in a rich, sweet root beer glaze, caramelized to a glossy finish, delivering a mouthwatering combination of smoky and sweet flavors with a sticky, succulent texture.
Equipments
- Oven or smoker
- Baking sheet or roasting pan
- Aluminum foil
- Mixing bowl
- Saucepan
- Basting brush
- Tongs
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Knife
- Cutting board
Ingredients
- 3-4 lbs pork baby back ribs
- 2 cups root beer
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Choosing high-quality pork baby back ribs is essential for achieving the tender, succulent texture characteristic of Root Beer Glazed Ribs from BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse. The root beer plays a critical role in the glaze, providing sweetness and caramelization; it's important to select a variety with rich, robust flavors. Balancing the ketchup, brown sugar, and vinegar is key to creating the perfect sticky glaze that melds smoky, sweet, and tangy tastes. Keep measurements precise for spices like smoked paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper to ensure your ribs have the authentic flavor profile. Your efforts in replicating these ingredients will help you successfully recreate the famous Root Beer Glazed Ribs from BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse copycat menu.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Remove membrane from the back of ribs.
- Season ribs with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.
- Wrap ribs tightly in aluminum foil and place on a baking sheet or roasting pan.
- Bake ribs in the oven for 2.5–3 hours, until tender.
- While ribs bake, combine root beer, ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard in a saucepan.
- Bring sauce mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
- Cook sauce for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened to a glaze.
- Remove ribs from oven and carefully discard foil.
- Brush ribs generously with root beer glaze using a basting brush.
- Increase oven temperature to 425°F (220°C) or set oven to broil.
- Return ribs to oven uncovered for 8–10 minutes, basting halfway through, until glaze is caramelized and sticky.
- Remove ribs from oven and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Slice ribs with a sharp knife.
- Serve with extra glaze on the side.
Substitution
Root Beer Glazed Ribs from BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse copycat menu rely on the distinctive sweetness and carbonation of root beer to create their signature glaze. If root beer is unavailable, you can substitute with cola or a mixture of ginger ale and a splash of molasses to mimic the sweet and caramelized flavors. Use pork baby back ribs or spare ribs based on availability, adjusting cooking time accordingly for tenderness. Aluminum foil is essential to wrap the ribs during cooking to lock in moisture and ensure a juicy texture throughout the slow-cooking process. For basting, a silicone brush works well to evenly coat the ribs with glaze without damaging the meat.
Tips
Removing the membrane from the back of the ribs is essential for tender results and better flavor absorption. Wrap the ribs tightly in aluminum foil to retain moisture during the low and slow baking process, ensuring they become succulent. When simmering the root beer glaze, maintain medium heat and stir occasionally to prevent burning while thickening properly. You should let the ribs rest after broiling to allow juices to redistribute, resulting in juicier, more flavorful meat.
Nutritions
Root Beer Glazed Ribs provide a delicious source of protein from the pork baby back ribs, essential for muscle repair and growth. The glaze, made with root beer, brown sugar, and ketchup, adds sugars and carbohydrates, contributing to your energy intake but should be enjoyed in moderation. Spices like smoked paprika, garlic, and cayenne powder enhance flavor without adding calories or fat. You can balance this rich, savory dish with vegetables or a light salad to create a more nutrient-dense meal.
Storage
Store leftover Root Beer Glazed Ribs in an airtight container and refrigerate within two hours of cooking to maintain freshness. For best taste, consume within 3-4 days, reheating gently in the oven at 300degF (150degC) until warmed through. Your ribs can also be frozen for up to 2 months, wrapped tightly in aluminum foil and placed in a freezer-safe bag to preserve flavor and texture.
Variation or Alternatives
For a variation in flavor, substitute root beer with cola or Dr Pepper to maintain sweetness and add subtle spice notes. You can also smoke the ribs at 225degF for 4-5 hours before applying the glaze to enhance smoky depth and tenderness. Consider using honey or maple syrup instead of brown sugar to create a different caramelized sweetness in the glaze. If you prefer a spicier profile, increase cayenne pepper or add chipotle powder to the seasoning blend before baking.
Allergies
Your Root Beer Glazed Ribs contain soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce, both of which may pose allergy risks for individuals sensitive to soy or fish ingredients found in Worcestershire sauce. Mustard, present in Dijon mustard, is a common allergen that could trigger reactions for some people. It's important to check each ingredient carefully if you have allergies related to soy, fish, or mustard before enjoying this dish.
Why this recipe?
Root Beer Glazed Ribs from BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse offer a unique blend of smoky barbecue flavor enhanced by a sweet and tangy root beer glaze that creates an unforgettable taste experience. The ribs are tender and juicy, perfectly balanced with the rich glaze that caramelizes during grilling, giving each bite a crispy, flavorful crust. Your attempt to make this copycat recipe at home allows you to customize the sweetness and seasoning while enjoying the same bold flavors that fans love at BJ's. Replicating this dish brings the exciting restaurant-quality taste right to your kitchen, making it worth the effort.