Oven-baked BBQ ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender so they are just as satisfying as grilled ribs. This easy recipe includes a delicious dry rub and a sweet and spicy homemade barbecue sauce for a finger-licking entree everyone will enjoy!
For more delicious pork recipes try Pork Belly Lechon, Pan Seared Pork Chops, and Filipino Pork Adobo. And for more ribs, check out my Thai-Style Baby Back Ribs.
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Oven baked baby back ribs are massaged with a dry rub, marinated, slowly baked, and then glazed with BBQ sauce. The final result is a mouthwatering main course that works for any occasion; from Sunday dinner to a Super Bowl Party. Just know that once you make these addictive pork ribs, they’ll be highly requested!
Why This Recipe Works
- No Fancy Equipment Necessary – If you want the flavor and texture of BBQ ribs fresh from the grill or smoker, try BBQ ribs in the oven! The key to tender ribs isn’t the equipment but the technique.
- Easy Instructions – The toughest part of this recipe is the wait time. The ingredient list is short, prep is super simple, and most of your time is spent waiting for the magic to happen as the ribs bake in the oven.
- Versatile Main Course – Enjoy ribs with a variety of side dishes. I have listed some tasty options for a satisfying meal below.
Tools You’ll Need
Ingredients You Will Need for Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs
This oven baked ribs recipe only requires a few ingredients.
- Baby back ribs – Baby back ribs are relatively small and curved, with meaty sections clinging to the bone. They typically have less fat and connective tissue compared to spare ribs, which contributes to their tenderness.
- Seasoning – I use a simple but tasty blend of kosher salt (Diamond Crystal), smoked paprika, and freshly cracked black pepper. It imparts a nice smoky flavor.
- Homemade BBQ Sauce – Not only is this Sweet and Tangy BBQ Sauce great on ribs–go ahead and lather this goodness on grilled veggies, chicken, hot links, or whatever your heart desires! You can make this while the ribs are cooking–it’s simple to make and tastes better than the bottled version you get at the store. It will become your new favorite barbecue sauce.
The Best Cut of Ribs for Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs
- Baby Back Ribs – This is a leaner cut of meat from the top of the pig’s rib cage. These cook faster than spare ribs and are more tender.
- Spare Ribs – This is a meatier cut, taken from the rib and belly of the pig. Its high-fat content yields more flavor.
How to Remove the Membrane
Removing the membrane from the ribs is a simple, and crucial step step. Leaving the silver skin on may result in a tough and chewy film left on the ribs. Below is a quick-step process detailing how to remove the membrane:
- Using a dinner knife, slide the knife under the white membrane and over the bone;
- Carefully lift the membrane with the knife until you have enough to grab with your hand;
- Grab the edge of the membrane and pull until you reach the end of the rack. Discard membrane.
How To Bake BBQ Ribs in the Oven
Many think that a lot of effort goes into achieving fall-off-the-bone ribs, but for this recipe, all you need is time, patience, and these few steps:
- In a small bowl add salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. This will be your rub.
- Flip the ribs so that they are curved towards you. Pull the corner of the membrane at one edge of the slab. You can use the tip of the knife to help lift the membrane, then grip tightly with your fingers and pull away from the ribs. Once the thin membrane is removed, discard.
- Generously season ribs with rub and marinate for at least 4-5 hours. Best if marinated overnight.
4. Preheat oven to 275°F. Place ribs on a baking sheet with foil long enough so that you can wrap the ribs. Bake ribs for 2½ – 3 hours or until meat is very tender. Check at the 2½ hour mark to check progress.
5. Once ribs are tender, remove the foil, increase oven heat to 325°F, and bake for 15 minutes. Next, brush ribs with BBQ sauce and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Change the heat setting to BROIL then allow BBQ sauce to thicken for about 2-3 minutes, keeping a close eye on the ribs.
6. Remove from oven and let rest for 25 minutes before slicing.
Tips and Tricks
- Remove the membrane. Removing it makes it easier for the seasoning to penetrate the meat. It also improves the texture.
- Marinate your ribs. After applying the dry rub, let the seasoned ribs sit at room temperature for about 5 hours. This allows the seasonings to meld with the meat.
- Wrap the ribs in foil. make sure it’s sealed tightly to trap moisture and create a steamy environment. This aids in tenderizing the meat.
- Add the BBQ sauce within the last 15 minutes of cooking. Increase the oven temperature to caramelize the sauce for added flavor and texture.
What to Serve with Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs
Oven-baked BBQ ribs are a delicious and hearty dish that pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Here are some popular choices that will make you feel like you’re at a cookout, whether it’s the peak of summer or the middle of winter.
Variations
- Spice Rub – There are many ways to season baby back ribs but you can add onion powder, garlic powder, brown sugar, and cayenne pepper if desired.
- Beef Ribs – If you don’t eat pork, you can use beef ribs instead. But they will have a longer cooking time. Check them at the 3-hour mark.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do BBQ ribs take to cook in the oven?
Bake ribs for 2½ – 3 hours or until meat is very tender. Check at the 2½ hour mark in order to check progress. The ribs are ready when the internal temperature reaches between 190°F and 200°F.
What temperature should ribs be baked at?
The key to tender, fall-off-the-bone oven-baked BBQ ribs is to cook them at a low temperature over a few hours. Bake the pork ribs at 275° for the best ribs.
Do you bake BBQ ribs covered or uncovered?
Cook ribs with aluminum foil covering them until they are tender. Then uncover them, baste them with BBQ sauce, and increase the oven temperature to 325°F and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
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Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs
Equipment
- Knife
- Small Bowl
- Baking Sheet
- Basting brush
Ingredients
- 3½ pounds baby back ribs
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt, Diamond Crystal
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2½ teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper
- ¾ cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- In a small bowl add salt, pepper and smoked. This will be your rub.
- Flip the ribs so that they are curved towards you. Pull the corner of the membrane at one edge of the slab. You can use the tip of the knife to help lift the membrane, then grip tightly with your fingers and pull away from the ribs. Once the thin membrane is removed, discard.
- Generously season ribs with rub and marinate for at least 4-5 hours. Best if marinated overnight.
- Preheat oven to 275°F. Place ribs on a baking sheet with foil long enough so that you can wrap the ribs. Bake ribs for 2½ – 3 hours or until meat is very tender. Check at the 2½ hour mark to check progress.
- Once ribs are tender, remove the foil and increase oven heat to 325°F and bake for 15 minutes. Next, brush ribs with bbq sauce and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Change heat setting to BROIL then allow bbq sauce to thicken for about 2-3 minutes, keeping a close eye on the ribs.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 25 minutes before slicing.
Zubair Rafique says...
Dear Jeri Mobley,
I could resist reaching out to express my gratitude for stumbling upon your mouthwatering blogpost about “Oven baked BBQ Ribs.” Your recipe completely transformed the way I approach cooking ribs, and I’m thrilled with the exceptional results I achieved.
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe.
With sincere Appreciation,
Zubair