How to Make Texas Roadhouse Killer Ribs at Home

If you’ve ever been to Texas Roadhouse, you know how good their Killer Ribs are. Tender, juicy, smoky, and packed with flavor there’s really nothing like it. The best part? You don’t need to leave the house to enjoy them. You can make a pretty close version at home with just a few simple ingredients and a little patience.

Here’s how to get those ribs just right.

Why These Ribs Are So Good

What makes these ribs “killer”? It’s all about that perfect mix of flavors. First, you’ve got the smoky taste that makes you think of summer BBQs, then there’s the sweetness from the glaze that gets sticky and caramelized. Finally, the meat itself is so tender, it practically falls off the bone. There’s just nothing quite like it.

Price Breakdown

Making these ribs at home is not only fun but also a cost-effective way to enjoy a Texas Roadhouse classic. Below is an estimated price breakdown for the ingredients needed:

Total Estimated Cost: $18.90 (This is for all the ingredients to make about 4 servings)

These ribs are juicy, tender, and packed with smoky flavor, glazed with a sweet and savory BBQ sauce that caramelizes to perfection. A homemade version of the Texas Roadhouse Killer Ribs that’ll wow your family and friends!

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Total Time 3 hours hrs

Course Main Course (since the ribs are the main part of the meal)

Cuisine American (Texas-style BBQ)

Servings 4 People

Calories 800 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the Ribs:

• 1 2 racks of baby back ribs (about 3 to 4 pounds)
• 2 1 tablespoon liquid smoke (for smoky flavor)
• 3 ½ cup water (to keep ribs moist)
• 4 ½ cup BBQ rub (your favorite, or Texas Roadhouse’s rub if available)

For the BBQ Sauce:

• 1 1 cup ketchup
• 2 ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• 3 ½ cup brown sugar
• 4 ¼ cup honey
• 5 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 6 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 7 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 8 ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 9 ½ teaspoon salt
• 10 ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for some heat)

Instructions

 

Preheat the Oven/Grill:

• Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C) or set up your grill for indirect heat.

Prepare the Ribs:

• Remove the silver skin from the back of the ribs. Rinse the ribs and pat them dry with paper towels.
• Rub a small amount of olive oil on the ribs to help the seasoning stick.

Season the Ribs:

• Rub the BBQ rub evenly over both sides of the ribs. Pour the liquid smoke over the ribs and rub it in.
• Let the ribs sit for 30 minutes (or refrigerate overnight if you have time).

Cook the Ribs:

• In the Oven: Place the ribs on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Cover them with another piece of foil and bake for 2.5 to 3 hours.
• On the Grill: Place the ribs on the cooler side of the grill and cook for 2.5 to 3 hours, keeping the heat low and steady.

Prepare the BBQ Sauce:

• Combine all the BBQ sauce ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Let the Ribs Rest:

• Once done, let the ribs rest for about 10 minutes before slicing them between the bones.

Serve and Enjoy:

• Slice the ribs and serve them with your favorite sides. Enjoy the delicious, fall-off-the-bone goodness!

Notes

Notes:

• Low and Slow: Don’t rush the cooking process. The key to tender ribs is cooking them at a low temperature for a long time.
• BBQ Sauce: Feel free to adjust the sauce to your preference. If you like it sweeter, add a bit more brown sugar. If you like it tangier, add more vinegar.

Keyword BBQ, Ribs, Texas Roadhouse, Killer Ribs, Smoky Ribs

How to Make Texas Roadhouse Killer Ribs at Home

Step 1: Prep the Ribs

Before anything else, you need to get the ribs ready. Turn them over and you’ll see this thin layer of silver skin on the back of the ribs. Get rid of that use a paper towel for a better grip and just peel it off. This makes the ribs more tender.

Once that’s done, rinse the ribs under cold water and dry them off with a paper towel. Drizzle a little olive oil on the ribs to help the seasoning stick.

Step 2: Season the Ribs

Now comes the fun part: seasoning. Rub your BBQ rub generously on both sides of the ribs. You want to make sure they’re fully coated. Once they’re seasoned, pour the liquid smoke over the ribs and rub that in too. Let the ribs sit for about 30 minutes to soak in all the flavor. If you’ve got time, letting them marinate overnight in the fridge makes a big difference.

Step 3: Cook the Ribs Low and Slow

Now, you’re going to cook the ribs low and slow to get them nice and tender.

In the Oven: Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C). Place the ribs on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and cover them with another piece of foil. Bake them for about 2.5 to 3 hours. You’ll know they’re done when the meat is tender and pulls back from the bone a bit.

On the Grill: If you prefer grilling, set your grill up for indirect heat, and place the ribs on the cooler side of the grill. Cook them for about 2.5 to 3 hours. The goal is slow, steady heat, so don’t rush this part.

Step 4: Make the BBQ Sauce

While the ribs are cooking, get your sauce ready. In a medium saucepan, combine all the sauce ingredients ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper. Bring it to a simmer and cook for about 15 to 20 minutes until it thickens up and all the flavors come together.

Taste the sauce and adjust it as needed. If you like it sweeter, add more brown sugar. If you want it tangier, add more vinegar. You can play around with it until it’s just right for you.

Step 5: Grill and Glaze

Once the ribs are done cooking, it’s time to glaze them. Heat your grill to medium-high heat. Brush the ribs with a generous amount of your homemade BBQ sauce, and then place them on the grill, bone side down. Grill them for about 3 to 5 minutes per side, brushing with more sauce as you go. This gives the ribs that caramelized, sticky glaze that’s so addictive.

Step 6: Let Them Rest

Once they’re glazed to perfection, take the ribs off the grill and let them rest for about 10 minutes. This helps the juices stay inside the meat so it stays nice and tender when you cut into it.

Step 7: Serve

After the rest, slice the ribs between the bones and serve them up. I love serving mine with some coleslaw, grilled corn on the cob, or some crispy baked potatoes. Don’t forget the extra BBQ sauce on the side because who doesn’t want more sauce?

A Few Tips for Perfect Ribs

• Low and Slow is Key: Whether you’re cooking in the oven or grilling, cooking the ribs at a low temperature for a long time is what makes them tender and juicy.

• Let Them Rest: After grilling, let the ribs rest for a few minutes before slicing. This keeps them juicy and tender.

• Adjust the Sauce: Feel free to tweak the BBQ sauce to your liking. If you want it sweeter, add more sugar; if you want it tangier, add more vinegar.

Conclusion

Making Texas Roadhouse-style Killer Ribs at home is definitely worth the effort. With a little patience and some good ingredients, you can enjoy these juicy, smoky, tender ribs without ever leaving your house. So fire up the grill or preheat your oven, and get cooking. Trust me, once you’ve made these at home, you’ll never look at ribs the same way again.