These Oven Baked Ribs are juicy, delicious, and fall-off-the-bone tender. Slathered in a homemade barbecue sauce, these ribs are full of sweet and smoky goodness.
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Recipe Details
These Oven Baked Ribs are absolutely delicious. I love serving this to my family even in the winter because you get the delicious barbecue experience even when the weather isn’t conducive to grilling. These are the best ribs and they will be a fan favorite for sure.
- TASTE: Sweet and spicy, these ribs are the ultimate. With a spiced rub that adds tons of flavor, this dish is slathered in a yummy barbecue sauce that’s rich and complex.
- TEXTURE: The ribs are so juicy and fall off the bone when you eat them. The creamy barbecue sauce sticks to the meat in the most delicious way.
- TIME: It only takes 20 minutes to prep this recipe, and then 3 hours for these ribs to slow bake, making them extra juicy.
- EASE: This recipe is so easy to make. Even the homemade sauce is a breeze.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Pork ribs- We’re using spare ribs for this recipe.
- Olive oil- This will help the rub to stick to the meat.
- Honey- This ingredient adds sweetness to the bbq sauce.
- Molasses- This sweet and complex ingredient gives the sauce no much dimension.
- Ketchup- This acts as the base for the barbecue sauce. Sweet and tomato-ey.
- Liquid smoke- For a smokey flavor that makes these ribs taste so good.
- Brown sugar- Better than granulated white sugar, brown sugar has molasses for a richer flavor.
- Spices- We’re using garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika, as well as salt and black pepper to give the rub lots of flavor.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Substitute other meats- You can make this recipe using chicken breasts, thighs, and legs, as well as beef brisket or pork in place of the spare ribs.
- Add other sauces- Once these ribs are cooked toss them in teriyaki or hoisin sauce. You can also sweeten them with a brush of apple juice, honey, or brown sugar.
- Add different seasonings- Make the rub with different seasonings, such as cayenne pepper, sage, lemon pepper, berbere spices, or curry powder.
How to Make Oven Baked Ribs
- Make the bbq sauce. Make the homemade barbecue sauce by adding the ketchup, honey, molasses, and liquid smoke to a saucepan.
- Simmer. Let the barbecue sauce simmer over medium-low heat for about 20 minutes. Then set it aside for later.
- Make the rub. In a small bowl, add the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Black pepper, and salt. Whisk the dry rub ingredients together thoroughly.
- Preheat and prep. Preheat your oven to 275°F. Then remove the silver skin (membrane) from the back of the ribs and pat the ribs dry.
- Apply the rub. Brush the ribs lightly with olive oil, then sprinkle the rub generously over both sides of the ribs.
Pro Tip: Make sure to pat the ribs dry with a paper towel before adding the olive oil or it will slide off when it mixes with the water.
- Wrap them. Place each rack meat-side down on a large piece of foil and wrap tightly. Place wrapped ribs on a baking sheet.
- Bake. Bake the ribs in the oven for 2.5-3 hours.
- Add the glaze. Remove ribs from the oven and carefully open foil. Brush a thick layer over the ribs.
- Broil to finish. Increase oven to broil (or 450°F). Broil ribs uncovered for 5–8 minutes, until caramelized and sticky. Watch closely so they don’t burn.
Recipe Tips
- Simmer the barbecue sauce- Doing this for 20 minutes helps the sauce’s flavors to marry and fully develop. It also lets the sauce thicken so that it sticks to the ribs better.
- Remove the membrane- Don’t forget to remove the membrane from the rack of ribs. This keeps the seasonings from penetrating the meat and also is very chewy when cooked, so remember to strip it off.
- Make clean up easy- I like to line the baking sheet with foil before placing the foil-wrapped ribs on it. This makes clean up easy.
FAQs
How long should I cook ribs in the oven to be tender?
You can cook ribs in the oven for 2-3 hours to get them nice and tender. Although it depends on how many pounds you are cooking, so check after the 2 hour mark for doneness.
Do I cover my ribs when I bake them in the oven?
Yes, you should cover your ribs with aluminum foil. This traps steam and helps the ribs remain moist and get tender.
Serving Suggestions
These Oven-Baked Ribs are so delicious and they go great with everything. Serve them with other meats, sides, salads, and your favorite desserts.
- Meats: Serve these ribs alongside Lemon Pepper Wings, Smoked Pork Loin, and BBQ Chicken Thighs.
- Salads: Pair these Oven Baked Ribs with a green salad, like this Spinach Salad or Chopped Caprese Salad. You can also have it with some Creamy Pasta Salad.
- Sides: Serve them with some Creamed Corn, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes, Bacon Wrapped Asparagus, or Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli.
- Desserts: Finish your meal with a slice of Chocolate Mousse Cake, Tiramisu Cake (VIDEO), Apple Crisp, or New York Style Cheesecake.
Make This Recipe in Advance
Make ahead: You can prep the rub and make the barbecue sauce ahead of time for this recipe. Also, because the ribs will cook for a few hours, you can place them in the oven hours before your meal.
Storing: Store any leftovers of these Oven Baked Ribs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They can be reheated in the oven until warmed through.
Freeze: Freeze these cooked ribs once they have cooled in a freezer safe container. You might want to break them apart for easier thawing and reheating later.
More Delicious Meats!
Full Recipe Instructions
Oven Baked Ribs
These Oven Baked Ribs are juicy, tender, and fall-off-the-bone good. Slathered in a homemade barbecue sauce, these ribs are full of sweet and smoky goodness.
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Servings: 6
Calories: 414kcal
Ingredients
- 2 racks spare ribs about 4 lbs total
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp salt
For the BBQ sauce
- 2 cups ketchup
- 2/3 cup honey
- 2/3 cup molasses
- 1 Tbsp liquid smoke
Instructions
- Make the homemade barbecue sauce by adding the ketchup, honey, molasses, and liquid smoke into a saucepan.
- Let the barbecue sauce simmer over medium-low heat for about 20 minutes. Then set it aside for later.
- Make the rub- In a small bowl, add the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Black pepper, and salt.
- Whisk the dry rub ingredients together thoroughly.
- Preheat & Prep- Preheat your oven to 275°F. Then remove the silver skin (membrane) from the back of the ribs and pat the ribs dry.
- Apply the Rub- Brush the ribs lightly with olive oil, then sprinkle the rub generously over both sides of the ribs.
- Wrap & Bake- Place each rack meat-side down on a large piece of foil and wrap tightly. Place wrapped ribs on a baking sheet. (I also line the baking sheet with foil for easy clean up.)
- Bake in the oven for 2.5-3 hours.
- Add the Glaze- Remove ribs from the oven and carefully open foil. Brush a thick layer over the ribs.
- Broil to Finish. Increase oven to broil (or 450°F). Broil ribs uncovered for 5–8 minutes, until caramelized and sticky. Watch closely so they don’t burn.
Nutrition
Calories: 414kcal | Carbohydrates: 85g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 1545mg | Potassium: 904mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 78g | Vitamin A: 987IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 103mg | Iron: 3mg
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Hi, I’m Dina, so glad you stopped by! I believe life is too short for bad coffee and boring meals. With my easy to follow step-by-step recipes, you’ll be surprised at how quickly a wholesome and delicious meal can come together. I hope you find something you enjoy!
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