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Rack of oven baked ribs sliced and coated in caramelized BBQ sauce on a cutting board

Easy Oven Baked Ribs

Baby back pork ribs seasoned with a simple homemade dry rub, slow baked at 275 degrees F for up to 3 and a half hours until fall-apart tender, then finished under the broiler with caramelized BBQ sauce.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 356
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 racks baby back pork ribs about 4 pounds total
  • 4 tsp paprika sweet paprika recommended
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1.5 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1.5 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 0.5 cup BBQ sauce homemade or store-bought; a thicker sauce caramelizes best under the broiler

Equipment

  • Large rimmed baking sheet
  • Aluminum foil
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Pastry brush
  • Butter knife

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil.
  2. Flip the ribs over and remove the thin white membrane from the back of each rack. Slide a butter knife under the edge to loosen it, then grip it with a dry paper towel and pull it off in one firm strip.
  3. Place the ribs on the foil-lined baking sheet meaty side up.
  4. In a small bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Rub the mixture all over the meaty side of both racks, pressing it in firmly.
  5. Cover the ribs tightly with foil, wrapping firmly around the baking sheet or wrapping each rack individually. A tight seal is essential for trapping steam and producing tender meat.
  6. Bake for 3 to 3 and a half hours at 275 degrees F until very tender. To test, carefully peel back the foil and try to pull off a small piece of meat. It should come away easily. If it still feels tight, rewrap and continue baking for another 20 to 30 minutes.
  7. Remove from oven. Switch to the low broiler setting and let it preheat for a couple of minutes. Remove and discard the foil. Brush the meaty side generously with BBQ sauce.
  8. Place under the broiler for 2 to 4 minutes until the BBQ sauce just starts to bubble and caramelize. Watch closely the entire time to prevent burning.
  9. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice between the bones and serve.

Notes

Pull ribs from the refrigerator about 20 minutes before cooking. Removing the membrane before seasoning is essential for tender results and better spice penetration. Leftover rib meat is excellent in sandwiches, rice bowls, or on baked potatoes the next day. Total cook time including the broil finish is approximately 4 hours.