Here’s a simple and delicious recipe for Oven-Baked Baby Back Ribs that come out tender, juicy, and full of flavor:
Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
- 2–3 lbs (≈900–1350 g) baby back ribs
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- 1 cup barbecue sauce (your favorite brand)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat to 300°F (150°C).
- Line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup.
- Prepare the Ribs:
- Remove the thin membrane on the back of the ribs for more tender results.
- Mix brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne in a bowl.
- Rub this spice mixture evenly over both sides of the ribs.
- Bake Slowly:
- Place ribs on the prepared baking sheet, meat side up.
- Cover tightly with foil.
- Bake for 2.5–3 hours until the meat is tender and almost falling off the bone.
- Add Barbecue Sauce:
- Remove foil and brush ribs generously with barbecue sauce.
- Bake uncovered for another 20–30 minutes at 350°F (175°C) to caramelize the sauce.
- Serve:
- Let the ribs rest 5 minutes before slicing.
- Serve with extra barbecue sauce on the side and your favorite sides like coleslaw, baked beans, or corn on the cob.
💡 Tips
- For extra flavor: Marinate ribs with the spice rub and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight.
- Optional broil: After baking, broil ribs 2–3 minutes to get a slightly crispy, caramelized top.
- Check tenderness: Meat should pull away easily from the bone but not completely fall apart.
If you want, I can also give a shortcut version for tender ribs using a foil packet method that takes less cleanup and still produces fall-off-the-bone results.
Do you want that version?
