These Oven-Baked Ribs are fall-off-the-bone-tender, incredibly flavorful, and take a quick 5 minutes to prep! They’re made with baby back ribs, smothered in a homemade dry rub, and slathered with BBQ sauce.
- Ingredients Needed:
- How to Cook Ribs in the Oven
- FAQs for Oven Baked Ribs
- Tips, tricks, and notes for Baked Ribs
- Our Favorite Side Dishes for Ribs
- More Oven-Baked Recipes to Try
- Oven Baked Ribs Recipe
Can you have too many methods for cooking ribs? I don’t think so! I’ve perfected my Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs and Instant Pot BBQ Ribs, so I thought it was about time I figured out the best way to cook baby back ribs in the oven.
Well folks, I’ve done it.
These Oven Baked Ribs start with a homemade spice rub and a low and slow roast in tin foil to achieve an incredible flavor and tender texture.
They end with a few minutes under the broiler at high heat and plenty of BBQ sauce for even more moisture and a perfect crispy crust.
The result is tender, juicy, ridiculously delicious baby backs that will have the whole family going back for seconds! Just don’t forget the Air Fryer Baked Potatoes, the Homemade Coleslaw and the Instant Pot Baked Beans!
Ingredients Needed:
- Baby Back Ribs: you’ll need 3-4 pounds of baby back ribs for this recipe (about 1 rack of ribs). I have only tested this recipe with pork ribs and not beef ribs. You can easily double or triple this recipe to cook multiple racks of ribs.
- Spice Rub: we’re making a homemade spice rub made up of brown sugar, chili powder, seasoning salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper
- BBQ Sauce: you can use your favorite store-bought bottle (we love Sweet Baby Ray’s) or whip up a batch of homemade BBQ sauce.
How to Cook Ribs in the Oven
These easy Baked Ribs take a quick 5 minutes to prep before a low and slow cook time! Find the detailed recipe down in the recipe card.
- Prep the ribs: remove the membrane (the silver skin) from the back of the ribs (check out this video for help), wrap ribs and place on an aluminum foil lined baking sheet.
- Make the spice rub: In a bowl, combine the brown sugar, chili powder, seasoning salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
- Prep the ribs: Trim the membrane from the back of the ribs, then rub the seasoning all over the meat side of the ribs. Wrap in foil.
- Bake: Place the wrapped ribs onto a baking sheet and bake at 300ºF for 2-3 hours. A low temperature makes for truly tender ribs! When the ribs are done, remove from the oven, brush with your favorite barbecue sauce, and broil at 475ºF for 3-4 minutes to crisp the top. If you prefer, you can also finish them on an outdoor grill.
FAQs for Oven Baked Ribs
What is the best temperature to cook baby back ribs in the oven?
I find the best ribs are cooked at 300ºF for 2-3 hours, then broil them at 475ºF for 3-4 minutes. The lower and slower cook time achieves that fall-off-the-bone tender texture while the final few minutes at a higher temperature helps crisp up the exterior!
How long should I leave ribs in the oven?
This depends on the size of the ribs you’re cooking. If they are
2-3 pounds, check them at 2 hours. If they are 3-4 pounds, check them at 2.5 hours. You’ll know they are done when the meat is falling off the bone.
Although pork is cooked to a safe internal temperature at 150 degrees F, truly tender ribs take a little longer in the oven.
Should oven-baked ribs be covered?
Yes! The best way is to wrap the ribs in foil while they cook to trap in the moisture and prevent the outsides from burning. Once they are cooked through, you can remove the foil before broiling so the outside can get nice and crispy.
How to store:
Leftover baked ribs will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months. To reheat, coat in additional BBQ sauce to moisten, wrap in foil, and warm at 275ºF for 20-30 minutes or until heated through. Once cooked, you can remove the foil and broil for 2-3 minutes to re-crisp.
Tips, tricks, and notes for Baked Ribs
- Bring the meat to room temperature. I like to set the ribs out on the counter around 30 minutes before cooking. Room temperature meat cooks more evenly.
- Remove the membrane. Leaving the membrane on prevents the meat from being able to absorb the seasonings and results in a much less tender texture.
- To remove the membrane, slide a knife under the silver skin on the back side of the ribs, then pull it off with your fingers.
- Broil it. Broiling the ribs uncovered for just a few minutes after they cook gives them that delicious crispy texture. Don’t skip this step!
- Let it rest. After the meat is done cooking, let it rest for 10 minutes before cutting into it so the flavor and moisture can redistribute throughout.
- Make it your own: this is a great recipe to customize to your own tastes! You could add dry mustard, cayenne pepper, or more or less of the listed spices to create your own rub.
Our Favorite Side Dishes for Ribs
Serve these oven-baked ribs next to any of your favorite classic side dishes! Here are a few of my go-to’s:
- Mashed Potatoes
- Mac and Cheese
- Roasted Potatoes and Carrots
- Homemade Coleslaw
More Oven-Baked Recipes to Try
- ▢ 3-4 pounds baby back ribs (membrane removed)
- ▢ 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- ▢ 3 teaspoons chili powder
- ▢ 2 teaspoons seasoning salt
- ▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ▢ ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ▢ ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ▢ ½ cup barbecue sauce
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
Trim the membrane from the back of the ribs.
Combine seasoning: brown sugar, chili powder, seasoning salt, garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper.
Rub seasoning all over ribs and wrap completely in foil.
Place wrapped ribs on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 2-3 hours (the exact cook time will depend on the size of your ribs. If they are 2-3 pounds, check at 2 hours. If they are 3-4 pounds, check at 2.5 hours, and go from there — they will be tender when done).
Your ribs are done with they pull easily away from the bone. Remove from the oven and brush with barbecue sauce. Broil at 475 degrees F for 3-4 minutes if desired to crisp the top slightly. Serve.
Calories: 584cal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 148mg | Sodium: 1744mg | Potassium: 669mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 573IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 94mg | Iron: 2mg
Keywords baby back ribs in oven, oven baked ribs
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Tag @thereciperebelMy name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!
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