When it comes to Baby Back Ribs, the secret is baking low and slow, This will make the best fall-off-the-bone oven-baked ribs you’ve ever had!
If you thought that the only people that can make delicious, tender, mouth-watering ribs were serious barbecue aficionados, you’re wrong. And it’s time to check out my easy baby back ribs recipe to see that cooking ribs in your oven is easier than you think.
Baking ribs in the oven couldn’t be easier and all you need is the time to let them slow roast in your oven and you’ll have amazing barbecued baby backs for your friends and family to enjoy!
For the best bbq ribs, give them a few minutes under the broiler to caramelize the sugars in the bbq sauce. It adds some char to the exterior of the ribs enhancing the flavor.
If you’re old school you’ll love my easy Grilled BBQ Ribs Recipe and for the slow cooker fans, my Ginger Beer Barbecue Baby Back Rib Recipe is sure to please!
What ingredients do I need to make Oven-Baked Baby Back Ribs?
Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make Oven Roasted Baby Back Ribs. In Chef Speak this is called the “Mise en Place” which translates to “Everything in its Place”.
Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed up the cooking process, it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.
*You can use this recipe to make your favorite type of spare ribs, not just baby backs. If you’d like to use a spice rub to make ribs, click on this link to find my favorite dry rub recipe made with brown sugar, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, dry mustard and oregano.
How do I make Oven-Baked Baby Back Ribs?
Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F.
- Rinse and pat the dry the ribs with a paper towel. Remove any silver skin on the top side of the ribs and the thin membrane from the underside of the ribs.
- Split the racks in half and place them on a baking sheet (this makes them easier to handle and gives you four good portions).
- Rub the mustard onto the tops and sides of the ribs
- Season the ribs with sea salt and cracked black pepper (to taste).
My oven-roasted Pulled Pork is another easy-to-make recipe!
- Wrap the half rack of ribs in foil. Seal the edges of the foil, making sealed packets.
- Place the ribs in the 275-degree preheated oven on a rack in the center of the oven. Cook the ribs for 2½ hours.
*You can also cook these ribs over indirect heat on your gas grill. The time and the rest of the directions should remain the same.
Can I make these ribs in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can. For a slow cooker method, add one cup of bbq sauce and one cup of apple juice to the slow cooker with the prepped ribs and use the high setting for 4 hours. If you want to have the charred look, baste with bbq sauce and place under the broiler until the desired appearance is achieved.
Cut the aluminum foil packets open using kitchen shears and fold back the foil to expose the ribs.
- Liberally coat the ribs with your favorite bbq sauce (I used Sweet Baby Rays).
- Raise the oven temperature to 400 degrees F. (you don’t have to wait for it to preheat). Place the ribs back in the oven for 20 – 25 minutes or until the internal temperature is between 190 -205 degrees.
*If you’re not a fan of sweet barbecue sauces, try adding a little apple cider vinegar to the sauce. And if you like a spicier version you can always add a little of your favorite hot sauce.
If you want to get a little char on the ribs and have them look more like barbecued baby back ribs, set the oven to broil. Allow the ribs to cook under the broiler for 3-5 minutes (or until you have the desired char). Repeat with an additional layer of bbq sauce, if desired and serve up the best baby back ribs that will ever come out of your oven.
Recipe FAQ’s:
At 275 degrees F., the ribs should cook for 2.5 – 3.5 hours or until they are fall off the bone tender. For fall of the bone ribs, the internal temperature needs to be 190 -205 degrees.
Yes, you can. But I would not go above 300 degrees F. The higher the heat and the quicker the ribs cook, the greater the chance they will be tough and chewy. Slow and low is the rule for ribs.
Technically they do not. But covering with foil helps keep the natural juices in the meat. The longer the ribs are exposed to direct heat, the more they will dry out.
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The Best Oven Roasted Baby Back Ribs
Ingredients
RIBS
- 2 racks baby back pork ribs (or your favorite ribs) 2-2½ pounds per rack
- ¼ cup spicy brown mustard you can substitute yellow or Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp sea salt more or less to taste
- 1 tbsp cracked black pepper more or less to taste (if you use regular black pepper reduce the amount by half)
- 1½ cups barbecue sauce your favorite brand. I used Sweet Baby Rays
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 275 degrees F.
- Rinse and pat the dry the ribs with a paper towel. Remove any silver skin or membrane from the ribs.
- Split the racks in half. This makes them easier to handle and gives you four good portions.
- Rub mustard into the top of the ribs
- Season with sea salt and cracked black pepper.
- Wrap the ribs in foil, sealing the edges of the foil, making sealed packets.Place the ribs on a bakig sheet.
- Place the ribs in the 275 degree preheated oven on a rack in the center of the oven. Cook the ribs for 2½ hours.
- Cut the foil packets open using kitchen shears and fold back the foil to expose the ribs. Liberally coat the ribs with barbecue sauce.Do Not Rewrap the Ribs with Foil.
- Raise the oven temperature to 400 degrees F, you don't have to wait for it to preheat. Place the ribs back in the oven for 25 minutes.For fall of the bone ribs, the internal temperature needs to be 190 -205 degrees.
- Set the oven to broil. When hot, place the baking tray under the broiler for 3-5 minutes. Repeat with an additional layer of bbq sauce, if desired. Serve the ribs.
Miss B
I am making the the ribs tomorrow, 1/2 bbq the other half with sauerkraut, when should I put the kraut on the ribs?
Chef Dennis Littley
I would add the sauerkraut to half the ribs at the same time you add the bbq sauce to the other half.
Elodom
Outstanding option to grilling outside! My husband was always on the grill with baby backs being a specialty. Now, he cannot be outside as he once was and I am the primary cook. We had never done ribs in the oven until I ventured into this recipe. So very glad to have found it and will try more of Chef Dennis recipes.
Earl
I tried these the other night and they were awesome. Followed recipe to a t except I added orange juice to the foil as that’s all I had. We are cooking ribs for our Kinsmen Club tonight and will be serving these. Thanks for sharing.
Altie Metcalf
I’m curious: What did the orange juice replace?
Donna M
Made this recipe tonight and they some of the best ribs I’ve ever had. I always make my ribs in a crockpot and they kind of come out very soft and fall off the bones,kinda like pulled pork. I want a rib I can bite of the bone and these were amazing. Didn’t put them under the broiler maybe I’ll try the next time but they were so good. I couldn’t wait to eat them. did not change one thing in the recipe. Awesome thank you Thank you. They where amazing fall off the bone, but still on the bone and crisp like off the grill.
Love, love love. Thank you.
PC
If I use your dry rub do I still use the mustard? Trying these today for Super Bowl!
Chef Dennis Littley
No either the dry rub or mustard/ pepper method, not both.
PC
Thank you! Now I have to decide which to use!
PC
I did half with dry rub and the other half with the mustard. Both were fantastic! Really couldn’t tell much difference in taste probably due to to the bbq sauce w/bit of liquid smoke. I would actually like it not so much “fall off the bone” since ribs should actually have a bit of pull but not complaining. Thank you, my go-to recipe from now on!
Lisa
Easy to follow recipe and made delicious ribs! Thank you!!!
Sue
Do you re wrap foil after putting on sauce?
Chef Dennis Littley
no you do not
J3Pete
The first time we ever made ribs that were moist and juicy.
Chef Dennis Littley
I’m happy to hear you enjoyed the ribs!
Casey
Made these 2x now and both times were excellent! Making them again for dinner tonight 🙂
Jeff Andresen
Best ribs that i have ever made, not tasted, my dads ribs are the best I ever had, but these came a close 2nd
June Holden
I have 4 racks of bb ribs to cook! Any suggestions on how to cook all 4 at the same time?
Chef Dennis Littley
That’s not a problem; just double the recipe ingredients and use two baking sheets. Place two racks in the center of the oven and place the pans one on each rack. Halfway through the cooking time, switch them so they get the same amount of heat.
The cooking time won’t change, just make sure to check the internal temperature is in the 190 -205 degree range.
Jess
Can I use the same recipe for 1 full rack?
Chef Dennis Littley
Absolutely, you’ll need half the amounts listed in the recipe for only one rack.
Jessica
I’m sorry what I meant is do the Cooking times remain the same?
Chef Dennis Littley
There would be no change in cooking times.
Patricia L Soper
First time my finished product looked like the picture in the recipe. Ribs were tender as promised and delicious. Is there any way bbq smoke could be introduced to the recipe? That’s the ONLY way this recipe could be any better.
Chef Dennis Littley
I’m happy to hear that you enjoyed the ribs! If you want smoke flavor, you can add a little liquid smoke to the bbq sauce, that will add that smokey flavor you’re looking for.
Ellen
The flavor was delicious But they did not “fall off the bone”. i followed it to a T except i made the rub. any idea?
Chef Dennis Littley
You didn’t cook them long enough. Did you check the internal temperature? For fall of the bone ribs, the internal temperature needs to be 190 -205 degrees.
Evan
Do you put the wrapped ribs on a baking sheet or just straight on the rack in the oven? Are you rewrapping in the foil after coating with BBQ sauce?
Chef Dennis Littley
Place the ribs on a baking sheet. While they could go directly on the racks if the packages leaked, you’d have a mess in the oven.
Lynnette
First time ever making ribs and this recipe is fool proof. I didn’t have a few of the dry rub ingredients but was still the most amazing ribs. The dog was literally drooling as we ate, yes he got a few pieces, and the house smelled so good all afternoon. The broiling absolutely made the bbq caramelized and was my favorite part. Will definitely use this recipe any time we make ribs.
Chef Dennis Littley
I’m happy to hear you discovered the joy of making ribs at home! I hope you find other recipes on my blog to try
Marco
I tried this for Thanksgiving Dinner. We always have Turkey and it comes out great because I brine it. This year the family wanted something different. I found this and let me just say it was a big hit. Followed this with exception of the BBQ sauce. I had STUBS roasted garlic so used it and it came out great. Thanks for this easy to follow recipe.
Timothy Woods
These ribs are so easy to make and come out so tender and delicious! I highly recommend them to anyone looking for an easy and tasty way to make ribs. The caramelized sugars in the bbq sauce did wonders!