Perfect Oven-Baked Ribs
Discover how to make mouth-watering, fall-off-the-bone ribs right in your oven. This recipe focuses on a low and slow cooking method, ensuring maximum tenderness and flavor with minimal effort. Perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests, these ribs are guaranteed to impress.
Ingredients
- 2 racks pork spare ribs or baby back ribs
- 2 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper optional
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup BBQ sauce your favorite
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Trim the ribs by removing the membrane from the back of each rack. Use a butter knife to lift an edge, then grip with a paper towel and pull.
- In a small bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper to create your dry rub.
- Generously rub the seasoning mixture all over both sides of the ribs, pressing it gently into the meat.
- Place the seasoned ribs on a baking sheet, ideally on a wire rack set over the sheet. You may also wrap them tightly in aluminum foil for extra moisture.
- Bake for 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the meat is very tender and easily pulls away from the bone.
- During the last 30 minutes of cooking, remove the ribs from the oven (and foil, if used) and generously brush with your favorite BBQ sauce.
- Return to the oven for another 30 minutes, allowing the sauce to caramelize and thicken.
- Remove from oven and let the ribs rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing between the bones and serving hot.
Notes
For extra flavor, prepare the dry rub a day in advance and let the ribs marinate in the refrigerator. Try adding a splash of apple cider vinegar to the foil packet for added moisture. Experiment with different BBQ sauces or homemade glazes to customize the flavor profile. Serve with coleslaw, cornbread, or baked beans.