When it comes to oven baked 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!
Ingredients
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 to Cook Baby Back Ribs in the Oven
Follow along with my easy instructions below to see how to cook baby back ribs in the oven yourself at home.
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 use 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 FAQs
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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Oven Baked 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 tablespoon sea salt more or less to taste
- 1 tablespoon 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 baking sheet bone side down.
- 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.
Karen says
Thank you Chef Dennis for an incredibly easy & absolutely delicious recipe. The ribs were truly fall off the bone tender. I followed the basic recipe using plain French’s mustard & Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce (it’s one of the best) Everyone loved the ribs, unfortunately there were no leftovers! I can’t wait to make them again!!
Chef Dennis Littley says
I’m very happy to hear you enjoyed my rib recipe. Next time you’ll have to make more so you have some leftovers.
Fran says
I’m currently making your ribs Chef Dennis! I’m excited for the end result!
Ann says
You were not kidding when your recipe said these are the best you’ve ever had; that is precisely what my husband said! My whole family thoroughly enjoyed them. THANK YOU for sharing your expertise.
Chef Dennis Littley says
You are very welcome and that’s what I like to hear Ann! Thanks for letting me know your family enjoyed the ribs.
Bob says
This is my go to recipe anytime I want baby back ribs! My wife says she likes them as good or better than the restaurant! I can fix them at home for less than half the price of going out! Thanks so much!!
Chef Dennis Littley says
You are very welcome and thanks for letting me know you’ve been enjoying my rib recipe and for the great review!
Krista says
I’ve got these ribs in the oven now. I can not wait. I will let you know how they turn out.
Chef Dennis Littley says
Please do.
Victoria says
I just made these ribs for dinner tonight. WOW! My family loved them. Definitely going to save this recipe.
Chef Dennis Littley says
Thank you for letting me know your family enjoyed my rib recipe! You made my day with your comment.
Sherwood says
Giving them a try today
Chef Dennis Littley says
Let me know how they turn out.
Catfish Charlie says
As a traditional smoker BBQ guy I was skeptical, but this formula worked. I did use my own traditional rub and bbq sauce, but for sure the cooking method works great – so much so that I’m debating whether making a mess with the smoker is really needed!
Chef Dennis Littley says
I do love smoked ribs, but they’re is a lot of clean up afterwards. This is definitely an easier option, and using your own rub and bbq sauce is always a good thing.
Esther Anderson says
This is the second time I’ve made this recipe and I am definitely not disappointed. I used to rub and marinated overnight cook the way you described it added the barbecue sauce and it fell off the bones delicious!.
Chef Dennis Littley says
I’m happy to hear you’ve been enjoying my rib recipe! It’s a family favorite in our house!
Ann says
These were delicious! My crew devoured them. My hubby said they were the best ribs he’s ever eaten!
Chef Dennis Littley says
Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know you enjoyed my rib recipe, you made my day with your comment!
Christine says
Our local grocery had a “buy one, get two” sale on baby back ribs this weekend. All households in my family are making ribs tonight! I’m using your recipe and fully anticipating wonderful ribs. My husband is usually the rib guy, smoking them all day, specific rubs, etc. It’s killing him that I won’t let him see how I’m making them. Lol. I can’t wait for the results!
Chef Dennis Littley says
Now that’s a sale I would love to see at my grocery store! We love ribs.
Steve says
Delicious! will definitely make them again.
Chef Dennis Littley says
That’s what I like to hear!
Geela says
They were the bomb! Amazing!
Chef Dennis Littley says
That’s what I like to hear! I hope you find more recipes on my website to try.
Jodie says
Do I still use the mustard if I use the dry rub? Thanks! Excited to try these.
Chef Dennis Littley says
No, if you’re doing a dry rub, skip the mustard.
Laura says
Making these today for game day! I’ll let you know if they’re a success. I cant imagine them being anything short of fabulous, the recipe sounds perfect. To be cont…
Neid Kamal says
The best ribs we had!!
Chef Dennis Littley says
That’s what I like to hear!
Neid Kamal says
The Oven Roasted Baby Back Ribs was amazing. The ribs were juicy, tender, and full of flavors. I followed the recipe. I used mustard with seeds and we used hot sweet honey barbecude. I did not liked when I used to make the ribs I. the Instant pot. They were not bad, but your way is much delicious. Its a keeper!!
Chef Dennis Littley says
Thanks for letting me know that you enjoyed the ribs! I know what you mean about the instant pot,it makes ok ribs but the oven method is my favorite.
Lj Mart says
I followed everything except the seasoning (my son wanted a specific sauce). Ribs came out perfect and fell off the bone. Next time I will prepare using the seasoning listed in the recipe. Thank you for sharing!
Chef Dennis Littley says
You’re welcome! Changing up the seasonings is never a problem, cooking to your taste preference is what makes cooking fun!
Derek says
Tried and not the greatest but could’ve been my back ribs/quality.
They were tender but dry not fall off the bone…my wife and I don’t have good luck with ribs.
Chef Dennis Littley says
I’m sorry to hear they fell a little short of the mark. It very well could have been the ribs.