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The best ribs for finger-licking summer BBQs, from M&S, ASDA and more
Succulent and smoky, these are the juiciest ribs for grilling, tried and tested
Tested by Georgia TurnellGHI Food & Drink Tester
With World Cup fever set to shape our shopping habits this summer, expect plates piled high with all things Americana. And what says stateside better than a rack of juicy ribs? Smoky, sticky and made for getting a bit messy, the best BBQ ribs are the perfect base for bold rubs, punchy sauces and some serious flavour.
So, as part of our annual BBQ Taste Test, the Good Housekeeping Institute tasting panel assembled to find the best classic and flavoured ribs to enjoy this summer. Featuring options from both supermarkets and online butchers, these are the racks we’ll be serving with a dollop of mac and cheese, a spoon of slaw and some delicious charred corn.
Best ribs for 2026
These are our experts’ favourite ribs at a glance but keep scrolling for their full reviews.
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The Jolly Hog British Barbecue Pork Loin Ribs with BBQ Glaze 625g
Read review - 5
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Discovery Hot Smoked St Louis Style Pork Ribs with Raspberry Chipotle BBQ Glaze 500g
Read review
How we test ribs
Our experts sampled 15 ribs, looking for pork and beef racks with a generous amount of meat that fell off the bone. They were after a smoky, charred flavour with a balanced sweet and savoury sauce for that unbeatable sticky rib experience. Wet wipes at the ready!
M&S Collection Soy Vinegar Pork Rib Rack 800g
M&S Collection Soy Vinegar Pork Rib Rack 800g
Score: 87/100
Slow cooked for convenience, this rack is coated in an Asian-inspired sticky soy glaze. Sweet and well-seasoned, the tender meat slides off the bone easily for a crowd-pleasing centrepiece.
Score: 83/100
Our testers adored Co-op's slow-cooked BBQ pork ribs and raved about the succulent texture. The meat is well coated in a classic sticky, sweet and smoky sauce – very moreish. If you love a traditional rib, these are textbook examples.
Score: 82/100
With notes of smoky treacle, honey and brown sugar, ASDA’s cola-marinated ribs are ideal for those with a sweet tooth. The pork is moist and soft, coming cleanly off the bone in a delicious sticky glaze. Big on flavour with a spot-on texture, our tester summed it up perfectly: “This is exactly what I want from a rib.”
The Jolly Hog British Barbecue Pork Loin Ribs with BBQ Glaze 625g
The Jolly Hog British Barbecue Pork Loin Ribs with BBQ Glaze 625g
Score: 82/100
A crowd-pleasing classic, this pork loin rack is generously coated in a sweet and slightly smoky barbecue sauce, which our testers loved. The texture is a real highlight – tender and falling off the bone. Pair with coleslaw and corn on the cob for a classic American feast.
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Discovery Hot Smoked St Louis Style Pork Ribs with Raspberry Chipotle BBQ Glaze 500g
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Discovery Hot Smoked St Louis Style Pork Ribs with Raspberry Chipotle BBQ Glaze 500g
Score: 82/100
Instead of the traditional BBQ coating, try this fruity alternative instead. The pork ribs are coated in a knockout raspberry sauce that’s sweet, and tangy, with a little kick of chipotle. A real standout smokehouse sharer, this is sure to impress.
Available 3 June 2025
Aldi Oakhurst Slow Cooked BBQ Pork Ribs 600g
Aldi Oakhurst Slow Cooked BBQ Pork Ribs 600g
Score: 80/100
Aldi’s budget-friendly ribs are generously coated with a classic caramelised BBQ glaze that complements the pork without overwhelming it. Sweet and smoky with a gentle chilli warmth, the succulent meat pulls easily from the bone. Just add slaw.
Score: 79/100
This pack includes a versatile mustard sauce to drizzle over the juicy ribs after cooking or serve alongside them as a dip. Our testers couldn’t get enough. The sauce complements the naturally sweet meat beautifully, with a gentle heat that builds. Morrisons recommends serving with coleslaw and charred corn on the cob.
Canvin & Gunner Slow Cooked Beef Rib Rack 650g
Score: 79/100
Switch up traditional pork ribs for this beefy alternative. Simply seasoned with salt and pepper, this rack makes a solid base for adding your own BBQ sauce or marinade. The meat is tender and moist, delivering a robust, satisfying flavour.
Tesco Firepit Piri Piri Pork Riblets 380g
Tesco Firepit Piri Piri Pork Riblets 380g
Score: 77/100
Smaller than standard ribs and perfect as a snacky starter, Tesco’s riblets have a Portuguese twist, thanks to the spicy piri piri caramelised finish. Expect plenty of bold chilli – these are not for the faint-hearted.
The Butcher's Board Short Ribs 1.5kg
Score: 77/100
Testers thought these beef short ribs had a particularly rich aroma, along with a chewy, juicy texture. These ones aren't marinated, so they’re perfect for chefs who want to add their own culinary flourish. Whether you braise, roast or BBQ is up to you!
Daylesford Organic Pork Rib Rack 500g
Daylesford Organic Pork Rib Rack 500g
Score: 73/100
These organic ribs come “naked”, leaving you to add whatever marinade takes your fancy. And because you cook them from raw and add your own additional ingredients, testers said this resulted in succulent meat with a nice bite.
These also passed...
- Waitrose No.1 BBQ Slow Cooked Korean Style Short Ribs, £14 for 738g, Score: 72/100
- TGI Fridays Carolina Gold BBQ Rib Rack, £6 for 655g, Score: 71/100
Read on for more BBQ taste tests
Stacey looks after all food and drink reviews — from coffee pods and veg boxes, to natural wine and tequila. Stacey is also founder of Crummbs, where she’s written nearly 2,000 restaurant and hotel reviews since 2013. Prior to this, Stacey wrote hundreds of in-depth buying guides for the Independent, i newspaper and BBC Good Food, as well as reviewing restaurants and interviewing celebrities in her column at Balance Magazine. Stacey has also appeared in BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary Blood, Sweat & Takeaways, where she investigated South East Asia's food production industry, appearing on both Newsnight and BBC World Service to share her findings. Regularly checking out the latest restaurants, bars and product launches, Stacey also loves experimenting with recipes at home, and is a WSET-certified wine and spirits expert, with over 10 years of experience in the business. You can follow Stacey on Instagram @crummbs_uk
Georgia has been part of the hospitality industry for the last nine years. Her starting point was the world-renowned Le Cordon Bleu culinary school where she gained a Diplôme de Pâtisserie. She has worked at a number of well-known restaurants and bakeries including The Club at the Ivy and Ottolenghi, Notting Hill where she was the head pastry chef. Most recently, Georgia worked at The Clink Bakery inside HMP Brixton, which aims to reduce reoffending through teaching. She is an expert in all things baked goods and holds a WSET level 2 in wine.
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