BBQ Ribs Recipe come out so tender the meat practically slides off the bone, with a thick, caramelized crust that tastes like you spent all day at the grill. I first made these on a rainy Saturday when my backyard barbecue plans got canceled, and honestly, I've been making them in the oven ever since. The homemade rub creates this gorgeous mahogany color, and the smell that fills your kitchen while they bake is absolutely incredible. Plus, you don't need any fancy equipment or a smoker to get restaurant-quality results.
If you love easy comfort food, you'll also want to try my Easy Vegetarian Bean Soup recipe
or these Easy Strawberry Chicken Salad recipe , Easy Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe for your next family dinner.
Why You'll Love This BBQ Rib Recipe
Perfect for beginners. You don't need grilling skills or special tools. Just a sheet pan, some foil, and your oven.
Fall-off-the-bone tender. Slow-cooked BBQ Ribs Recipe in the oven get so juicy and soft, with barbecue cooking techniques that work every time.
Big, bold flavor. The BBQ rib rub is packed with smoked paprika, cayenne, brown sugar, and garlic. It's smoky, a little spicy, and totally crave-worthy.
Budget-friendly. At less than three dollars per serving, this is an affordable way to feed a crowd or treat your family to something special.
Crispy, sticky finish. The final broil with BBQ sauce gives you charred BBQ ribs with a crispy rib crust that tastes like summer, even in the middle of winter.
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BBQ Ribs Recipe Ingredients
Everything you need is simple and easy to find at the grocery store.
See Recipe Card Below This Post For Ingredients Quantities
- Pork ribs: The star of the show. Look for a rack with good meat coverage and not too much fat. Baby back BBQ Ribs Recipe or spare ribs both work beautifully here.
- Butter, melted: Helps the rub stick to the meat and adds richness. It also creates a gorgeous crust as the BBQ Ribs Recipe bake.
- Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and helps tenderize the meat.
- Black pepper: Adds a mild heat and earthy depth to the pork rib seasoning.
- Garlic powder: Brings savory, aromatic flavor that balances the sweetness.
- Onion powder: Adds another layer of savory warmth without being overpowering.
- Smoked paprika: This is what gives the BBQ Ribs Recipe that deep, smoky flavor even though they're baked in the oven. Don't skip it.
- Brown sugar: Balances the spices with a touch of sweetness and helps create a caramelized crust.
- Cayenne: Adds just enough heat to wake up your taste buds. You can reduce it if you prefer milder BBQ Ribs Recipe .
- Ground mustard: Gives the rub a slight tang and complexity that makes the flavor more interesting.
- Chicken broth: Keeps the ribs moist while they bake low and slow. The steam helps break down the meat for that tender texture.
- BBQ sauce: Use your favorite brand or homemade sauce. It gets brushed on at the end for sticky, charred BBQ Ribs Recipe that look and taste incredible.
how to make BBQ Ribs Recipe
Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 300°F and position the rack in the center so the BBQ Ribs Recipe cook evenly.
Prep the ribs: Trim away any extra fat and even out the thickness by cutting the thicker end. Flip them over and peel off that silvery membrane on the back (it doesn't soften when cooked, so removing it helps the BBQ Ribs Recipe get more tender).
Set up your pan: Line a deep sheet pan with heavy-duty foil and place a wire cooling rack inside. If you don't have a rack, crumple foil into a donut shape to lift the BBQ Ribs Recipe off the bottom.
Dry the ribs: Place the trimmed BBQ Ribs Recipe on the rack and pat them dry with paper towels. This helps the rub stick better.
Make the rub: Mix the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, brown sugar, cayenne, ground mustard, and melted butter in a bowl until it forms a thick paste.
Season generously: Rub the seasoning all over the meaty side of the BBQ Ribs Recipe , pressing it in so you get a nice thick layer. Don't be shy here.
Add the broth: Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the pan, being careful not to pour it directly onto the BBQ Ribs Recipe . This creates steam that keeps everything moist.
Start baking: Put the pan in the oven and immediately reduce the temperature to 250°F. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes so the rub sets and the BBQ Ribs Recipe start to develop color.
Cover and continue: After 30 minutes, cover the BBQ Ribs Recipe tightly with foil and bake for another 60 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through so they cook evenly.
Brush with sauce: Remove the foil and brush 1 cup of BBQ sauce all over the BBQ Ribs Recipe . Return them to the oven for 30 more minutes, or until the meat is tender enough that a fork slides right off the bone.
Broil for char: Turn the oven to broil, brush on the remaining half cup of BBQ sauce, and broil for a few minutes until you see a light char and the sauce gets sticky and caramelized. Watch closely so they don't burn.
Rest and serve: Let the BBQ Ribs Recipe rest on the pan for 15 minutes before cutting them into portions. This helps the juices settle back into the meat. Serve and watch them disappear.
Equipment for BBQ Ribs Recipe
- Oven: The backbone of this recipe. No grill required.
- Sheet pan (at least 2 inches deep): You need the depth to hold the chicken broth without spilling.
- Wire cooling rack or crumpled aluminum foil: Lifts the BBQ Ribs Recipe so they don't sit in liquid and helps air circulate for even cooking.
- Paper towels: For patting the BBQ Ribs Recipe dry before seasoning.
- Basting brush (optional): Makes it easier to brush on the BBQ sauce evenly, though you can use a spoon if needed.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Refrigerator: Store leftover BBQ Ribs Recipe in an airtight container for up to 4 days. They're great cold, too, straight from the fridge.
Freezer: Wrap individual portions tightly in foil, then place them in a freezer bag. They'll keep for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating: Wrap ribs in foil and warm them in a 300°F oven for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave them, but the oven keeps them more tender.
expert tips
Remove the membrane. That silvery skin on the back of the ribs doesn't break down during cooking. Peeling it off makes the ribs way more tender.
Don't skip the rest. Letting the ribs sit for 15 minutes after baking helps the juices redistribute, so every bite is moist and flavorful.
Watch the broiler. Broilers can go from perfectly charred to burnt in seconds. Stay close and check every 30 seconds or so.
Use a meat thermometer. If you want to be precise, the internal temperature should hit around 190°F to 203°F for fall-off-the-bone texture.
Make extra rub. This pork rib seasoning is incredible on chicken, pork chops, or even roasted vegetables. Double the batch and store it in a jar for next time.
Low and slow wins. Resist the urge to crank up the heat. Slow-cooked ribs at a lower temperature are what make them tender and juicy.
FAQ
How long do you BBQ ribs for?
In the oven, these ribs take about 2 hours of baking at 250°F, plus a quick broil at the end. If you're grilling, plan for 3 to 4 hours over indirect heat for similar tenderness.
How is the best way to cook barbecue ribs?
Low and slow is the secret. Whether you bake, smoke, or grill, keeping the temperature around 225°F to 250°F breaks down the connective tissue and makes the meat incredibly tender. Finish with a high-heat sear or broil for a sticky, caramelized crust.
What is the 3 2 1 rule for ribs?
The 3 2 1 rule is a smoking method: 3 hours unwrapped, 2 hours wrapped in foil, and 1 hour unwrapped with sauce. This oven recipe follows a similar idea with different timing, using foil to trap moisture and finishing uncovered for a crispy finish.
How long to cook barbecue ribs in an oven?
At 250°F, plan for about 2 hours total. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, covered for 60 minutes, then uncovered with sauce for another 30 minutes. Add a few minutes under the broiler at the end for char .
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BBQ Ribs recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Trim the ribs by removing excess fat and evening out the thicker end. Save the trimmed meat for a cook's bonus. Turn the ribs over and remove the silvery membrane from the back. prep
- Line a sheet pan (at least 2 inches deep) with heavy-duty aluminum foil and place a wire cooling rack in it. If you don't have a cooling rack, crumple a long sheet of aluminum into a donut shape, at least 2 inches thick. prep
- Place the trimmed ribs on the rack and pat off any excess moisture with a paper towel. prep
- In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, brown sugar, cayenne, ground mustard, and melted butter to make a rub. mix
- Generously apply the rub to the meaty side of the ribs, covering it in a thick layer. assemble
- Pour chicken broth into the sheet pan, taking care not to pour it over the ribs. Place the pan in the oven and reduce the temperature to 250°F. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes. bake
- After 30 minutes, cover the ribs with aluminum foil and bake for an additional 60 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. bake
- Remove the foil and brush the ribs with 1 cup of BBQ sauce. Return the ribs to the oven and bake for another 30 minutes, or until the meat is tender and easily pulls off the bone. bake
- Set the oven to broil. Brush the ribs with an additional ½ cup of BBQ sauce and broil for a few minutes until a little char develops. finish
- Remove the ribs from the oven and allow them to rest for 15 minutes before cutting them into portions. Serve and enjoy! finish
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