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If you’re craving sweet and smoky barbecue flavor but don’t want to fire up a smoker, baby back ribs from the oven are the perfect solution. It’s a simple two-step cooking method that delivers great barbecue flavor with minimal effort.
We don’t claim to make authentic barbecue here, but we do love recipes that bring those flavors onto our table. These oven baked baby back ribs are one of our favorite easy ways to enjoy that sticky, smoky goodness without having to be bbq aficionados. Serve them up with coleslaw, cornbread, or baked beans and you’ve got a satisfying dinner that hits all the right notes.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Here’s what you need to know about the key ingredients in this recipe. The complete list, including quantities, is in the printable recipe card below.
- BABY BACK RIBS: Baby back ribs, (sometimes called pork loin back ribs) are leaner, more tender, and cook more quickly than other pork rib cuts. These qualities make them ideal for oven-baking and pair well with dry rubs. Look for racks that have a uniform thickness from one end to the other for even cooking. Also, since you’ll be seasoning the ribs with a rub, you’ll want to avoid those that have been enhanced with a brining solution.
- BBQ SPICE RUB: We make our own BBQ rub blend and keep a jar on hand in the pantry for a few different dishes. It only takes a few minutes and keeps for about 6 months. You can substitute a store-bought rub if you like.
- BBQ SAUCE: Our bourbon bbq sauce has a nice balance of sweet and savory flavors with a little bit of smoke, and we like it best for all our barbecue style recipes. However, most any barbecue sauce will work in this recipe, so if you have a favorite brand, feel free to use it.
Overview
How To Make Baby Back Ribs In the Oven
Planning to make this recipe? Here’s a quick overview of how it’s done. Detailed, step-by-step instructions are in the printable recipe card below.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN: Start by preheating your oven, lining two baking sheets with heavy-duty foil and coating them with nonstick spray.
PREP THE RIBS: If your ribs still have the membrane on the back, take a moment to remove it. Slip the tip of a knife under the edge to loosen it, then grab it with a paper towel and peel it off. Sprinkle about two-thirds of your dry rub on the meaty side of the ribs and rub it in well. Flip the racks over and season the other side with the remaining rub.
OVEN-BAKE THE RIBS: Place the ribs meaty side down on the prepared pans, cover them tightly with foil, and bake for about 2 hours. You’ll know they’re ready when the meat pulls away easily from the bone with a fork. Once they’re tender, take the ribs out of the oven and drain off any excess juices.
FINISH WITH BBQ SAUCE: Preheat your broiler or grill. Brush the ribs generously with barbecue sauce on both sides. Broil or grill them, for 5 to 7 minutes, flipping once and watching closely so they don’t burn.
SERVE: Let the ribs rest for about 10 minutes, then slice between the bones and plate family style with extra bbq sauce on the side.
More BBQ Recipes From the Oven
- Just like ribs, pulled pork is another traditional barbecue favorite that’s super easy to make in the oven and turns out great.
- We love pulled pork but when you want quicker results and smaller quantities, BBQ pulled chicken delivers.
- A ground chicken meatloaf with bbq flavors is a fun twist on classic comfort food.
- Try a combo of pasta, bacon, and creamy Gouda cheese in our barbecue chicken and pasta casserole.
Oven Baked Baby Back Ribs
Ingredients
- 3 racks baby back ribs, (5 to 6 lbs)
- 3/4 cup Easy BBQ Spice Rub, (or store-bought rib rub)
- 1-1/2 cups Bourbon BBQ Sauce, (or bottled barbecue sauce)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F, line 2 baking sheets with heavy duty aluminum foil and coat them with nonstick spray.
- If your ribs still have the membrane on the back side, you'll want to peel it off. Start at one end and slide the tip of a sharp knife underneath the membrane to lift up a piece large enough to grab. Using a paper towel for better gripping, gently peel it away and discard it.
- Sprinkle about 2/3 of the rub mixture over the meaty side of the ribs and rub into the meat with your fingertips. Turn the ribs over and repeat with the remaining rub.
- Arrange the ribs on the prepared pans, meaty side down. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 2 hours, or until the meat pulls away from the bone easily with a fork.
- Once the ribs are tender, remove them from the oven and drain the juices that have accumulated in the pan.
- Preheat the broiler or a gas or charcoal grill. If using a broiler, position the rack at least 6 inches below the heat. If using a grill, preheat to medium-high and oil the grates.
- Brush the ribs liberally on both sides with barbecue sauce and grill or broil them for 5 to 7 minutes to caramelize the sauce. For best results, turn them over midway through and keep a close eye on them to be sure they don't burn.
- Let the ribs rest for about 10 minutes, then slice between the bones and plate family style with extra bbq sauce on the side.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This recipe is so good. The sauce is better than the commercial sauce . Scotch Whisky is the juice is use . Simple recipe.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for letting us know.
My husband and I now live in a condo I miss my gas grill, loved cooking ribs on it had to go with an electric grill can we cook these on the electric grill
Hi Lil,
Thanks for getting in touch. I don’t see any reason why you can’t finish the ribs on an electric grill and get very close the same results as you would on gas.