Oven Baked BBQ Ribs
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Brace yourselves for a lip-smacking sticky adventure with these tasty Oven Baked BBQ Ribs! Coated with a smoky spice rub and then slathered in BBQ sauce, these slow baked baby back ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender and irresistibly finger-licking good!
Easy Oven Baked BBQ Ribs Recipe
Calling all BBQ lovers! If you’re in search of a rib recipe that delivers on tenderness, flavor, and sweet sticky goodness, then you’ve come to the right place! These oven baked bbq ribs are the real deal! The tantalizing combination of a smoky spice rub, sticky BBQ sauce, and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness will ignite your taste buds with an explosion of flavor with every juicy bite.
But the real magic of these oven baked BBQ ribs lies in the slow and low cooking method, which allows the meat to become so incredibly tender and juicy that it just falls off the bone. Yet, while these ribs may take a bit of time to cook, the prep is incredibly quick and easy! This leaves you more time to focus on yummy sides like buttery corn on the cob, baked beans, and creamy coleslaw to complete your tasty BBQ feast!
Why You’ll Love These Oven Baked BBQ Ribs
- Effortlessly Easy! This low and slow recipe is hassle free! With just a few simple steps, you can have the ribs prepped and ready for the oven in minutes, allowing you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your family.
- Incredible BBQ Ribs! The ribs are baked to tender fall-off-the-bone perfection after being coated in a smoky spice rub and then slathered with barbeque sauce to create an addictively good sticky sweet BBQ glaze.
- Crowd Pleaser! Oven baked BBQ ribs are incredibly versatile, which makes them a fantastic choice for any occasion. They are sure to steal the show whether it’s a family dinner, game day gathering, or backyard BBQ.
- Baby Back Ribs – The key ingredients! Tender baby back pork ribs are perfect for slow cooking! You can try using spare ribs too, but you may need to cook them a bit longer.
- Barbeque Sauce – Any kind of store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce will do the trick!
- Brown Sugar – Adds a deeper layer of sweetness. If you prefer, you can substitute it with coconut sugar.
- Spices – A combination of smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder come together to make a garlicky good smoky rub for the ribs.
- Seasonings – Salt and black pepper are used to season the ribs.
Homemade baked baby back ribs are ridiculously simple to make! With just a few straightforward steps and a few hours of your time, you’ll be on your way to a finger-licking, fall-off-the-bone feast!
Before you even break out the ribs, you need to preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C). Even though this recipe calls for a lower temperature, it’s still important that you don’t put your ribs into an oven that’s not already fully heated.
Now, let’s prep the ribs! Start by removing the membrane, also known as the silverskin from the underside of the ribs. Simply flip the racks of ribs over, exposing the bone side. Then beginning at one end, use a knife to loosen the membrane and gently pull it off with a paper towel. This step is crucial for achieving the most tender ribs.
Next, you need to make the dry rub and season your ribs! Mix the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper together in a small bowl. Then rub the mixture all over the ribs making sure that every nook and cranny is covered on both sides.
Once your ribs are seasoned, wrap each rack separately in aluminum foil, making sure to tightly seal the edges. You don’t want any steam to escape while they are baking. Now, lay the foil-wrapped ribs on a baking sheet and pop them in the oven for 2½ to 3 hours. When the ribs are ready the meat should be super tender and easily pull away from the bone.
After they have cooked to tender perfection, remove your ribs from the oven and unwrap them from the foil. Then toss the foil and discard any excess juices that have accumulated. Now, turn your oven temperature up to 400°F (205°C) to get it ready to do some caramelizing!
Next, grab a pastry brush and then generously slather your ribs on both sides with the BBQ sauce. Then put the ribs back in the oven and bake them uncovered for another 10 to 15 minutes or until a delicious sticky glaze has formed.
When your oven baked BBQ ribs are ready, remove them from the oven and allow them to rest for a few minutes. Then cut them into portions and serve them with extra BBQ sauce on the side along with some potato salad and cornbread muffins if you like!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do BBQ ribs take to cook in the oven?
As a general rule, it typically takes around 2½ to 3 hours at 275°F (135°C) for tender and juicy ribs. Yet, the time can vary depending on the size of the ribs.
Do you cover BBQ ribs in the oven?
It is recommended that you wrap the ribs in foil for the first few hours of baking. This helps to trap the moisture and create a steamy environment, which results in more tender meat. Then the foil is removed and the BBQ sauce is applied.
Why are my ribs not tender?
This can happen for a couple of different reasons. To begin, ribs require slow cooking at a low temperature to break down the meat. Another possibility is that you didn’t remove the membrane from the back of the ribs, which can prevent them from becoming tender. Lastly, not properly wrapping them in aluminum foil can result in dry ribs.
Can I prepare the ribs ahead of time?
Yes! Once cooked, let them cool and then store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Then when you are ready to serve, just reheat them in the oven.
Expert Tips
- Remove the membrane. To ensure that your ribs turn out so tender that the meat falls off the bone you must remove the membrane on the underside of the ribs.
- Cook them low and slow. Do not crank up the temperature to cook the ribs faster. Slowly baking them at a low heat allows the meat to break down, which creates the best texture and flavor.
- Wrap them tightly in foil. This step is not optional. Wrapping the ribs in foil traps the steam which results in incredibly tender ribs.
- Check for tenderness. Gently pick up the rack with tongs and if it starts to tear away from the bone it’s ready. If not, continue cooking them for a bit longer before adding the BBQ sauce.
- Rest the ribs. You need to let the oven baked BBQ ribs rest for a few minutes before cutting into them. This gives the juices time to redistribute and keep them nice and juicy.
Storage
To store your oven baked BBQ ribs, transfer them to an airtight container or wrap them tightly in aluminum foil. They will then keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days or freeze for about 2 months. To reheat, just put the leftovers in the microwave for a few minutes on medium power or in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes. However, you need to let frozen ribs thaw out in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Other Delicious Recipes You’ll Love
- Korean BBQ Chicken
- Instant Pot BBQ Ribs
- Baked Honey Glazed Pork Ribs
- Korean BBQ Ribs
- Slow Cooker Short Ribs
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Oven Baked BBQ Ribs
Video
Ingredients
- 2 racks pork baby back ribs
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 275°F.
- Remove the silver skin from the back of the ribs, if needed, by using a sharp knife to loosen a corner of the membrane and then pulling it off with a paper towel.
- In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to make a dry rub.
- Rub the dry rub all over the ribs, making sure to coat both sides evenly.
- Wrap each rack of ribs in aluminum foil, sealing the edges tightly to prevent any steam from escaping.
- Place the foil-wrapped ribs on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until the meat is tender and easily pulls away from the bone.
- Remove the ribs from the oven and carefully unwrap them from the foil. Discard the foil and any accumulated juices.
- Increase the oven temperature to 400°F.
- Brush the BBQ sauce generously over the ribs, making sure to coat both sides.
- Return the ribs to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce is caramelized and sticky.
- Remove the ribs from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before cutting into individual portions.
- Serve with additional BBQ sauce on the side, if desired.
Notes
- Meat Selection: Opt for baby back ribs if you prefer less fatty, more tender meat. Spare ribs can also work but are larger and slightly tougher.
- BBQ Sauce: Feel free to experiment with different BBQ sauces to find your personal favorite. A smoky, sweet sauce typically works best for these ribs.
- Rub: For maximum flavor, apply the rub and let the ribs marinate for at least an hour, but preferably overnight.
- Cooking Time: Oven temperatures can vary so make sure to check the ribs occasionally. They’re done when they’re tender enough to pull apart with a fork.
- Resting Time: Allow the ribs to rest for at least 10 minutes before cutting into them. This ensures the juices redistribute evenly.
Nutrition Information
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
I’ve cooked ribs on various kids of grills including smokers, but after trying this recipe, I don’t think I will ever cook them any other way. It was easy, clean-up was super easy and the ribs were about the best I remember eating, and I’ll be 85 this month, just so you’ll know, I’ve had time to experience a lot of different things. Thanks Jo for this recipe!
Wow, what a compliment coming from a seasoned rib connoisseur like yourself! Thrilled to hear you found this method to be a game-changer at 85 years young. Here’s to many more delicious meals ahead. Thank you for making my day!
We’ve been making ribs this way for many years, though we cook at 290 vs 275. Consistently excellent results.
Beware. Best to move the whole baking sheet/tray to the sink to drain off the juices. After slow cooking, the ribs are fall apart tender and it’s prudent to leave the ribs racks on the tray to drain.
Finishing the ribs, unwrapped, at a higher temp is a key step.