• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Chef Dennis
  • Recipe Index
  • On the Road
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Pork Recipes

    Easy Oven Baked Baby Back Ribs

    Published: May 18, 2022 · Modified: Jul 5, 2022 by Chef Dennis Littley

    4.3K shares
    • Facebook3.5K
    • Yummly
    5 from 170 votes
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    pinterest image for oven baked baby back ribs

    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!

    barbecued baby back ribs on a white platter with one of the bones pulled away from the rack

    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.

    overhead view of barbecued half racks of baby back ribs on a white platter

    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?

    ingredients used to make 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.

    four half racks of ribs coated with spicy mustard and seasoned with sea salt and black pepper
    • 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!

    four half racks of ribs wrapped in foil.
    • 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.

    cooked ribs on a sheet pan with foil cut back

    Cut the aluminum foil packets open using kitchen shears and fold back the foil to expose the ribs.

    cooked ribs coated with barbecue sauce.
    •  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.

    close up of fully cooked ribs coated with barbecue sauce on white platter

    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:

    How long should baby back ribs cook in the oven?

    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.

    Can I cook the ribs at a higher temperature?

    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.

    Should ribs be covered in the oven?

    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.

    More Recipes You’ll Love!

    • 3 half racks of grilled baby back ribs on a white platter
      Grilled Baby Back Ribs w/ Dry Rub Step by Step
    • white bowl of pulled pork in barbecue sauce
      Easy Oven Cooked Pulled Pork
    • close up of slow cooker bbq ribs on white plate
      Easy Slow Cooker Barbecue Ribs
    • Guinness beef ribs on a bed of mashed potatoes on a white plate
      The Best Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Ribs

    Did you make this? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

    Please SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST!

    overhead view of barbecued half racks of baby back ribs on a white platter
    Print Recipe Save Saved!
    5 from 170 votes

    The Best Oven Roasted Baby Back Ribs

    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! Make these delicious tender ribs tonight and see how easy it is to have delicious barbecue ribs at home!
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time3 hrs
    Total Time3 hrs 10 mins
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 920kcal
    Author: Chef Dennis Littley

    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
    US Customary – Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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.

    Notes

    *You can use this recipe to make your favorite type of spare ribs, not just baby backs. If you’d like to use a dry rub to make the ribs, click on this link to find my favorite dry rub recipe.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 920kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 63g | Fat: 54g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 23g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 222mg | Sodium: 3300mg | Potassium: 1100mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 336IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 157mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askChefDennis or tag #askChefDennis!

    More Pork Recipes

    • baked meatballs on a white plate.
      Best Baked Italian Meatballs
    • Slice of Pizza Rustica (Italian Easter Pie) being taken out of whole pie.
      Italian Easter Pie {Pizza Rustica}
    • smothered pork chop on white plate with mashed potatoes and green beans.
      Smothered Pork Chops
    • sausage patties on white plate
      Homemade Breakfast Sausage

    About Chef Dennis

    Picture of Chef Dennis

    Chef Dennis Littley is a classically trained chef with over 40 years of experience working in the food service industry. In his second career as a food blogger he has made it his mission to demistify cooking by sharing his time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen. Let Chef Dennis help you bring the joy of cooking into your home. For more details, check out his About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Kathleen Stanley

      October 30, 2022 at 4:11 pm

      5 stars
      Another five-star rating! Used baby back ribs. Pot-luck Halloween party. Rave reviews. Used Stubb’s Sticky-Sweet BBQ sauce. Not spicy. Everyone who had a rib made it a point to tell me how good they were. Now, I’m making some tonight for my husband and I! Thank you so much!

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        October 30, 2022 at 4:13 pm

        You are very welcome and thank you, for taking the time to let me know the ribs were a big hit! I love hearing success stories

        Reply
    2. Leslie

      October 29, 2022 at 7:58 am

      Can you do mustard prep in advance?

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        October 29, 2022 at 8:31 am

        you sure can. You could do this up to 48 hours in advance. Any longer than overnight just make sure to keep it covered.

        Reply
    3. Pat Dooley

      September 10, 2022 at 6:54 pm

      5 stars
      I used the technique but I marinated the ribs in a mixture of gochujang and soy paste. I convection baked for 2.5 hours and then put them under the broiler for around 5 minutes. As promised, the ribs were fall off the bone tender. The final broil crisped up the top layer without drying out the meat. Will use this technique, but maybe other marinades and sauces, from now on, The gochujang worked pretty well; just needed some extra pepper heat to add a bit more zing.

      Reply
    4. Patricia Schulz

      September 04, 2022 at 5:09 pm

      5 stars
      First time making baby back ribs – my son suggested that I oven-bake them. I took Chef Dennis’s dry rub recipe from his grilled rib recipe and used the oven-baked recipe for ease. These are better than any restaurant – absolutely fell off the bone. There were too many choices of rubs in the store, so I am glad I made Chef Dan’s recipe. I bought Sticky Fingers Sweet/Smooth Kentucky Bourbon BBSauce – only needed a little, as the rub made the ribs. Thank you Chef Dan for making my first attempt a wonderful success. DELICIOUS!

      Reply
    5. Karen

      August 21, 2022 at 10:08 am

      I’d love to try these ribs today. My husband doesn’t like mustard at all. After cooking for a few hours and adding the bbq sauce, can you taste the mustard? He doesn’t notice it in marinades and dressings, but I’m not sure i can get away with this.
      Comments?

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        August 21, 2022 at 10:24 am

        hi Karen

        you really don’t taste the mustard, it is more of a marinade-style ingredient, adding flavor to the ribs, but not a mustard flavor. If you’d rather not try it, you can leave it out. Just rub a little olive oil on the ribs instead.

        Reply
    6. Jessica

      August 02, 2022 at 9:52 am

      5 stars
      Great method! I used to barbecue and went all out on the ceramic kamado smoker, thermometers, etc. I quit all that when I moved and had to sell my smoker. Now, I sous vide anything that will be seared or fried at the end (steaks, sausage, london broil, chicken cordon blue) and I braise short ribs, shanks, etc. This foil method is perfect for ribs. The meat came out amazingly tender and moist. Instead of regular sauce, I lightly brushed on a gochu-jang sauce with another very light layer of molasses on top of that. The flavor of this combo was delicious, with just enough heat.

      Reply
    7. Mac Ribs

      July 20, 2022 at 9:11 pm

      5 stars
      I was supposed to cook ribs on my smoker today for my lady and I. Rain all day drove me inside. I found your website and oven roasted ribs method and recipe. Day saved! Hooray! The caramelization of the sauce under the broiler rocked! It sealed my fate as the ribs guy for every time to come.

      Reply
    8. Kraig Perlmutter

      July 12, 2022 at 11:10 pm

      Thanks for writing this! I’ve been bbqing all year and looking forward to it again this weekend! Excited to try ribs for my next bbq.

      Reply
    9. Hayley Dhanecha

      July 11, 2022 at 4:29 am

      I shared this recipe with my friend, she was so happy to create in her kitchen for her dad. They enjoyed it a lot

      Reply
    10. Debbie

      July 10, 2022 at 9:55 am

      5 stars
      These oven baked Baby Back Ribs are so good and easy. My family loves ribs and we have found our new favorite recipe.

      Reply
    11. Amanda

      July 10, 2022 at 9:05 am

      5 stars
      These ribs came out so good! They were super tender and flavorful, and the preparation was super simple. Perfect summer meal!

      Reply
    12. Amy Casey

      July 09, 2022 at 10:16 am

      5 stars
      Thanks for this easy rib recipe. I made it for one of my personal chef clients and they loved it. The broiling at the end gave the ribs a nice char.

      Reply
    13. Jessica

      July 07, 2022 at 11:11 am

      These look perfect! I’ve been looking for a good rib recipe and so many are on the grill. Oven baked is my favorite way to make them, and your recipe is just the perfect mix of flavor without being to saucy. This weekend’s feast for sure!!

      Reply
    14. Veronika

      July 06, 2022 at 10:52 pm

      5 stars
      These ribs take a while to cook but they’re SO worth the wait! They were juicy, tender, and perfectly charred on top.

      Reply
    15. Lisa

      July 05, 2022 at 9:55 pm

      5 stars
      your ribs turned out perfectly! Everyone loved them and they were fall off the bone tender!

      Reply
    16. Cathleen

      July 05, 2022 at 9:33 pm

      5 stars
      I don’t know why it has taken me so long to make ribs!! This turned out so perfect, thank you so much for the best recipe!!

      Reply
    17. Ann

      July 05, 2022 at 3:42 pm

      5 stars
      Ribs and this recipe was on the menu tonight! I made the ribs just as you said – low and slow and they were perfect!

      Reply
    18. Freya

      July 05, 2022 at 1:26 pm

      5 stars
      My boyfriend was looking for a ribs recipe and I came across yours…he followed it almost to the letter and the ribs were soooooo tender and full of flavour!

      Reply
    19. Marta

      July 05, 2022 at 12:48 pm

      5 stars
      I made these oven-baked baby back ribs for the 4th of July and my guests raved about how tender and juicy they were. I loved how easy the recipe was to prepare.

      Reply
    20. Craig

      May 21, 2022 at 2:20 pm

      5 stars
      As usual, Chef Dennis comes thru again with another great recipe. Perfect timing, Chef, I’m making this rib recipe for the Preakness today here in Baltimore, Maryland. Cooking on the grill indirectly at 275 for 2 1/2 hours with mesquite wood for the last half hour unwrapped. I’ll be toasting a Black-eyed Susan to you today. Thank you, Chef!
      P.S….crabs are running!
      Craig

      Reply
    Newer Comments »

    Primary Sidebar


    My name is Dennis Littley or "Chef Dennis" as I'm known both at work and across the blogosphere. As a classically trained chef with 40+ years of experience in the kitchen, I share my time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen.

    More about me →

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Fan Favorites

    • loaf of homemade artisan bread on a wooden cutting board
      Almost No-Knead Artisan Bread Recipe
    • 2 Maryland crab cakes on a white plate
      Baked Maryland Crab Cakes Recipe
    • chicken parm with pasta on a white plate
      Chicken Parmesan Recipe
    • seasoned crispy chicken legs on a foil wrapped tray
      Best Baked Chicken Legs {Drumsticks}
    • side view of slice of bee sting cake being taken out of full cake
      German Bee Sting Cake (Bienenstich) Recipe
    • Tiramisu with a fork on a white plate
      Best Tiramisu Recipe {step by step}
    • overhead view of barbecued half racks of baby back ribs on a white platter
      Easy Oven Baked Baby Back Ribs
    • overhead view of veal parm and linguine on a white plate
      Restaurant Style Veal Parm Recipe

    Featured In

    logos of all the places chef dennis has been featured

    Popular Posts

    • crispy seasoned chicken leg quarters on a white platter
      Best Baked Chicken Leg Quarters
    • cropped-Gunniess-Beef-Stew-13.jpg
      Authentic Guinness Beef Stew Recipe
    • overhead shot of baked crab imperial on a white plate with sauteed greens and roasted potatoes
      Maryland Style Jumbo Lump Crab Imperial
    • close up of half a chicken salad sandwich on a white plate
      Best Chicken Salad – Deli Style
    • oysters rockefeller with a slice of lemon on a bed of rock salt on a white platter
      How to Make Restaurant Style Oysters Rockefeller
    • sliced dry rub roasted brisket with cilantro and tomatoes on on a white platter
      Easy Oven Baked Beef Brisket Recipe
    • rack of pork with end cut off
      Oven Roasted Rack of Pork {Pork Rib Roast}
    • sliced meatloaf with the rest of meatloaf on a white platter
      Best Meatloaf Recipe

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    INFO

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    SUBSCRIBE

    Sign Up Today and start getting my easy-to-make restaurant-style recipes!

    CONTACT

    • About
    • Contact
    © 2009-2023 · Ask Chef Dennis ·

    Proud Member of:
    Mediavine Publisher Network
    4.3K shares
    • 3.5K