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Oven Baked Ribs

Get juicy, flavorful, fall-off-the-bone ribs that are incredibly easy to make with this perfect Oven Baked Ribs. They come out perfect every time!

JUICY TENDER RIBS

These Oven Baked Ribs are melt-in-your-mouth delicious! Make this easy and flavorful pork dinner in your kitchen tonight. Every bite is sure to be full of flavor! The rub is savory and a little sweet, paired with your favorite bbq sauce and you’re in rib heaven. You might be surprised just how good ribs made in the oven can be! It’s the perfect rib recipe for weeknight dinners or special occasions – everyone will love it!

A hand holding a meaty Oven Baked Rib.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:  

How to know when oven baked ribs are done?

Baked ribs are done when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers 145°F. Additionally, when you press down lightly on the surface and feel like there is some give in the meat, that may also be an indication that they are done cooking. It’s always best to go by temperature for safety.

Where to place ribs in the oven?

Ribs should go on your tray, in the middle rack of your oven for 2.5-3.5 hours, until tender and done. Then you’ll place them under the broiler after you’ve added the sauce (optional step.)

What other flavors can I add?

To add an extra tang to your ribs, try brushing them with a touch of yellow or spicy mustard before applying the rub.

Can I finish these on a grill?

Yes, certainly! For added outdoor touch, try applying BBQ sauce to these and then finishing them on the grill. You can place them over charcoal or a gas grill to achieve that extra smoky flavor. However, keep in mind that they are incredibly tender once you pull them out of the oven and may fall apart. It is recommended to cut them into smaller pieces before charring them.

How to store leftover ribs?

Leftover baked ribs should be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or can be frozen for up to 3 months.

How do I reheat oven baked ribs?

For reheating, I recommend using a foil packet in the oven with a small amount of water until thoroughly warmed. Other methods may result in dryness.

A slab of ribs baked in the oven.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)

  • baby back ribs– you need about a 4 pound rack of ribs. If using frozen ribs, be sure that they’re thawed all the way before cooking, so they cook evenly.
  • light brown sugar– if you want a deeper molasses flavor, try using dark brown sugar
  • salt, garlic powder, mustard powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, pepper – This is my preferred homemade rub for pork but feel free to use your favorite or even a store bought rub!
  • bbq sauce– use your favorite brand of sauce or you can make your own bbq sauce.
  • water – this is just to thin out the BBQ sauce a bit but it’s optional.
Baby back ribs, brown sugar, mustard powder, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, black pepper, water, bbq sauce, smoked paprika, and onion powder.

HOW TO MAKE OVEN BAKED RIBS

Preheat the oven to 275°F. Line a large sheet tray with heavy-duty foil. Pat the ribs dry with a paper towel. Remove the membrane on the underside of the ribs. It is easiest to do this by slicing off a little corner of the membrane and then using a paper towel to grip it and pull it off. In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, salt, garlic powder, mustard powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, and black pepper. Place the ribs on the sheet tray with foil and rub in the seasonings all over the ribs; use it all. Place the ribs meaty side up on the sheet tray and cover tightly with foil.

collage of three photos: a hand with a paper towel ripping off the membrane of the back of a rack of ribs; pork rub blend in a small bowl with a spoon; a rack of ribs with spices rubbed on an aluminum foil lined baking sheet.

Bake for 2 and ½ to 3 and ½ hours until a fork inserted into the meat of the ribs goes in easily, and they are tender. In a medium bowl, stir together the bbq sauce and water. Brush the ribs all over with the sauce. If you think the ribs may fall apart if you flip them over, then just brush the top with the sauce, you may have some left over. Place the broiler on high and broil the ribs to caramelize the bbq sauce.

collage of two photos: an aluminum foil covered baking pan; a basting brush brushing on bbq sauce onto baked ribs;

Place the broiler on high and broil the ribs to caramelize the bbq sauce. This only takes 3-4 minutes, so keep your eye on it. Allow to cool slightly, then serve.

Oven baked ribs on a serving platter.

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Closely looking at a rack of Oven Baked Ribs.

Oven Baked Ribs

Get juicy, flavorful, fall-off-the-bone ribs that are incredibly easy to make with this perfect Oven Baked Ribs. They come out perfect every time!
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 2 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 rack baby back ribs about 4 pounds
  • 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar packed
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons mustard powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup bbq sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon water

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 275°F. Line a large sheet tray with heavy-duty foil.
  • Pat the ribs dry with a paper towel. Remove the membrane on the underside of the ribs. It is easiest to do this by slicing off a little corner of the membrane and then using a paper towel to grip it and pull it off.
  • In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, salt, garlic powder, mustard powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, and black pepper.
  • Place the ribs on the sheet tray with foil and rub in the seasonings all over the ribs; use it all.
  • Place the ribs meaty side up on the sheet tray and cover tightly with foil.
  • Bake for 2 and ½ to 3 and ½ hours until a fork inserted into the meat of the ribs goes in easily, and they are tender.
  • In a medium bowl, stir together the bbq sauce and water. Brush the ribs all over with the sauce. If you think the ribs may fall apart if you flip them over, then just brush the top with the sauce, you may have some left over.
  • Place the broiler on high and broil the ribs to caramelize the bbq sauce. This only takes 3-4 minutes, so keep your eye on it.
  • Allow to cool slightly, then serve.

Notes

  • Please refer to my FAQ’s and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
  • Get juicy, flavorful, fall-off-the-bone ribs that are incredibly easy to make with this perfect Oven Baked Ribs. They come out perfect every time!
  • To reheat, I suggest doing so in a foil packet with a splash of water in the oven until warmed through, any other way and they may dry out.
  • Feel free to use your favorite store-bought rub as well. If you make this rub’s recipe it will look like way too much to use, but trust me you need it all.
  • If you wanted to add an outdoor touch to these you could apply the bbq sauce then add them over charcoal or a gas grill to get that extra char flavor, but be advised they are so tender they may fall apart.
  • It’s a good idea to cut them into a few pieces and then char them.
  • For extra tang you can brush the ribs with a little yellow or spicy mustard before adding the rub.
  • Keep in the fridge for up to 3 days, freeze for up to 3 months.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 320kcal | Carbohydrates: 75g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 3806mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 60g

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Thank you for this recipe! My husband was skeptical of making ribs in the oven but we both loved them. They turned out perfect! We will definitely make them over and over.