Cooking delicious, fall-off-the-bone BBQ ribs in the oven is easier than you might think. With the right ingredients and techniques, you can make restaurant-quality ribs right in your own kitchen. Follow this guide for tender, saucy, finger-licking oven-baked ribs every time.
What You’ll Need
- 2-3 racks of pork spare ribs or baby back ribs (about 2-3 lbs total)
- BBQ rub of your choice
- BBQ sauce of your choice
- Aluminum foil
- Baking sheet
Prepare the Ribs
- Remove the thin membrane from the back of the ribs. This will allow the rub and sauce to penetrate the meat better. Use a knife to loosen it, then pull it off with a paper towel.
- Apply a generous amount of BBQ rub all over the ribs, coating both sides. Get into all the nooks and crannies. Let the ribs sit for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight in the fridge. This lets the rub really get into the meat.
- Take the ribs out of the fridge and let them come up to room temperature before cooking, about 30 minutes. This helps them cook more evenly.
Cook the Ribs
- Preheat your oven to 300°F.
- Place the ribs meaty side up on a foil-lined baking sheet. Do not overlap them.
- Cover the ribs completely with foil, sealing the edges so no steam can escape. The steam will keep the ribs incredibly moist as they cook low and slow.
- Bake for 2-3 hours until the meat is very tender but not yet falling off the bone. The cooking time can vary based on the size and cut of ribs.
Finish on the Grill or Broiler
- Carefully remove the foil and drain any liquid from the baking sheet. Keep the oven on.
- Brush the ribs generously with BBQ sauce on both sides.
- Place the sauced ribs back on the baking sheet and broil for 3-5 minutes per side until the sauce caramelizes.
- Alternatively, you can finish them on a medium grill for that crispy char.
- Brush with more sauce before serving if desired. Dig in and enjoy!
Tips and Variations
- Try using different rubs like a Memphis rub or Caribbean jerk seasoning.
- Experiment with sauces too! Sweet and tangy, bold and spicy, the choice is yours.
- For fall-off-the-bone tender ribs, braise them low and slow by cooking up to 4 hours. Just make sure the foil packet is sealed tightly.
- Add ingredients like chopped onions, garlic, lime, or beer to the foil packet for extra flavor.
- Use the oven method to cook ribs for a crowd! It’s easy to bake multiple racks at once.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oven-Baked Ribs
How long should I cook ribs in the oven?
Cook ribs at 300°F for 2-4 hours depending on thickness. Baby backs take 2-3 hours, while meatier spare ribs can go 3-4 hours. The ribs are done when the meat is very tender and starts to pull back from the bones.
Should ribs be cooked fat side up or down?
Always place ribs meaty side up in the oven so the fat can slowly baste the meat as it renders. The fat provides moisture and flavor.
Do you put sauce on ribs before or after cooking?
Add sauce only during the last 5-10 minutes of cooking when finishing ribs under the broiler or grill. This prevents the sauce from burning.
At what temperature are ribs done cooking?
Ribs are perfectly cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 195°F-205°F. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness if you aren’t sure.
Do you wrap ribs in foil for the whole cooking time?
No, only wrap ribs in foil during the initial low and slow braising, about 2-3 hours. Remove the foil for the last stage to sauce and caramelize them.
Can I prep ribs ahead of time?
Absolutely! Apply rub up to 24 hours in advance and store ribs wrapped in the fridge until ready to cook. Prepped ribs are super convenient for parties and potlucks.
Conclusion
Cooking mouthwatering oven-baked barbecue ribs is definitely achievable in your own kitchen. With minimal active cooking time, the low and slow oven method lets you simply walk away while the ribs become fall-off-the-bone tender. Use your favorite rubs and sauces, and feel free to get creative with ingredients in the foil packets. Your homemade oven ribs will rival any barbecue joint!