Introduction
BBQ pork ribs are a classic summertime favorite for good reason – they’re tasty, tender, and full of flavor. While grilling and smoking ribs may be traditional preparation methods, the oven can also produce delicious results. Baking ribs in the oven gives you more control over temperature and cook times, ensuring fall-off-the-bone tender ribs without constant monitoring.
With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can make restaurant-quality oven-baked BBQ ribs right at home. Below is an easy recipe and guide for preparing juicy, saucy pork ribs in the oven.
Ingredients
- 3-4 lbs pork loin back ribs
- BBQ rub of your choice
- 1 cup BBQ sauce, divided
- Aluminum foil
- Cooking spray or oil
Instructions
Prepare the Ribs
- Rinse the ribs under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Remove the thin membrane from the back of the ribs by sliding a utensil under it to loosen, then pulling it off.
- Generously apply BBQ rub all over the ribs on both sides, pressing to adhere. Refrigerate for 30-60 minutes. The rub will flavor the meat.
Bake the Ribs
- Preheat oven to 300°F. Line a large baking sheet with foil and lightly coat with cooking spray.
- Place ribs meaty side up on the baking sheet without overcrowding.
- Cover tightly with more foil. Bake for 2 hours until ribs are very tender.
Finish on the Grill
- Carefully remove ribs from the oven. Increase oven temperature to 400°F.
- Brush ribs with 1/2 cup BBQ sauce on both sides. Place back on baking sheet.
- Bake uncovered for 15 minutes more to caramelize the sauce.
- Optionally, finish ribs directly on the grill for crispy edges and char. Cook a few minutes per side, brushing with more sauce.
Serve Immediately
- Cut ribs between bones into individual ribs. Serve while hot, passing any extra BBQ sauce at the table.
Tips
- Choose meaty, uniform ribs for even cooking. Baby back and loin back ribs work well.
- Remove the membrane for tender, easy to chew rib meat.
- Apply a dry rub up to overnight before baking for maximum flavor penetration.
- Bake low and slow first to fully tenderize, then briefly broil to caramelize.
- Brush with sauce only at the end to avoid burning.
- Let ribs rest 5-10 minutes before cutting for juicier meat.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.
Common Questions
What is the best oven temperature for baked ribs?
The ideal oven temperature is around 300°F. This relatively low temp slowly breaks down the collagen in the ribs over 2-3 hours. A brief stint under the broiler or on the grill at the end helps form a nice crust on the sauced ribs.
How long does it take to cook ribs in the oven?
Most meaty pork loin back ribs take about 2-2 1/2 hours in a 300°F oven. Go by tenderness, not time, checking at 2 hours. The ribs are done when very tender with meat pulling away from the bones.
Can you put raw ribs straight into the oven?
It’s best to always season raw ribs with a dry rub before oven baking. The salt, spices, and herbs in a typical rib rub will deeply flavor the pork as it slowly cooks. A sauce glaze can be added in the last 15 minutes.
Should ribs be covered while cooking?
Covering the ribs with foil while they bake helps steam-braise them, ensuring moist, fall-off-the-bone meat. Uncover at the end to brown the ribs and sauce. Leaving uncovered the whole time can dry them out.
How can you tell when oven baked ribs are done?
Check for doneness after 2 hours. Properly cooked ribs should twist and pull cleanly off the bones with no resistance. The meat will have shrunk back from the ends of the bones by 1/4 to 1/2 inch.
What oven-baked ribs recipe is best?
A simple dry rub of spices and herbs massaged onto the meat, followed by indirect heat at 300°F covered in foil, then a sauce glaze broiled uncovered is a fail-proof ribs recipe. Choose your favorite flavored rub and sauce.
Conclusion
Oven-baked BBQ ribs can be just as delicious as grilled, and offer the convenience of being made entirely indoors. Allowing the ribs to slowly cook covered in foil keeps them incredibly moist and tender. A flavorful dry rub infuses deep flavor. Brushing with sticky sauce and quickly broiling at the end results in a finger-licking finish. In just a few easy steps, you can enjoy juicy, saucy and tender ribs with your favorite sides and cold drinks. Now that you know how to make BBQ pork ribs in the oven, fire it up and get ready for amazing ribs any night of the week!