Easy Oven Baked Ribs

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If you want tender, fall-apart ribs without hovering over a grill, this Easy Oven Baked Ribs recipe is your new favorite secret. These ribs cook low and slow until perfectly juicy, then get brushed with sticky BBQ sauce and broiled just enough to caramelize. With flavor that’s deep, smoky, and sweet with a hint of spice from the seasoning, you’ll want extra napkins because things are about to get saucy.

 

Ingredient Notes + Variations

This recipe keeps things simple but delivers big flavor. A rack of baby back ribs, a bold seasoning, and your favorite BBQ sauce are all it takes. Each ingredient has its role, so use good ones and let the oven do the heavy lifting.

• Pork Baby Back Ribs – These are smaller and more tender than spare ribs, which means they cook evenly and stay juicy.
• Grill Seasoning – A smoky maple blend like McCormick Smokehouse Maple adds instant depth. If you prefer homemade, try my Pulled Pork Rub.
• BBQ Sauce – Go for something thick and tangy like Stubbs Original. It caramelizes beautifully under the broiler. Homemade BBQ Sauce is also a great option if you have a few extra minutes.

How to Make Oven Baked Ribs

Season your meat well, wrap in foil, bake your baby back ribs in the oven, then baste with good BBQ Sauce. Right out of the oven, you get juicy and smoky ribs just by seasoning well and finishing under the broiler or on the grill. I make ribs in the oven year-round, but they are particularly tasty in the summer. For full recipe details, including ingredients and measurements needed, see the printable recipe card down below.

Step 1: Preheat Oven + Prep Pan

Preheat the oven to 300° F and line a baking sheet with foil. Lightly spray it with nonstick spray so cleanup is painless.

Step 2: Remove Silverskin

Removing the silverskin membrane is actually so much easier than you think! It seems like it would be intimidating but couldn’t be simpler.

• Turn your rack of ribs over so the back, bonier side is face up.
• Starting at the smaller, narrower end, use a small knife or kitchen shears to slide under the edge of silverskin and get a little flap to grab.
• Using a paper towel, grip the flap you created and pull off. It should come off in one long sheet but if it doesn’t, use the knife to pull up another section and start pulling again.

Step 3: Season the Ribs

Lay the ribs on the pan and score the tough membrane on the bony side. Rub generously with your seasoning blend, making sure every inch is coated.

Step 4: Wrap + Bake

Cover the ribs tightly with foil and bake for about 2 to 2 ½ hours until they’re tender and cooked through. A little more time in the oven can’t really hurt these guys… they’ll just become extra tender.

Step 5: Broil with Sauce

Remove the foil, brush one side with BBQ sauce, and broil for 2 to 3 minutes until it starts to brown. Flip, baste again, and broil the other side.

Step 6: Slice + Serve

Brush on a little extra BBQ sauce, slice into pieces, and serve right away.

Tips for Success

• Use heavy-duty foil so it doesn’t tear while wrapping.
• Bake low and slow for the most tender ribs.
• Rest the ribs a few minutes before cutting so the juices settle.
• Don’t skip broiling… it’s what gives that irresistible sticky finish.
• Line your pan well for easy cleanup.

What to Serve with Oven Baked Ribs

Now that you have meaty heaven waiting to be made, consider also making one of these tasty and refreshing side dishes!

• Corn Avocado Basil Salad– A fresh mix of sweet corn, creamy avocado, and fragrant basil tossed in a light, tangy dressing.
• Tangy Baked Beans– Slow-cooked and saucy with a bold, sweet-tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with any BBQ meal.
• Mexican Street Corn– Charred corn coated in creamy sauce, cotija cheese, and a squeeze of lime for that authentic street corn flavor.
• Classic Coleslaw with Homemade Coleslaw Dressing– Crisp cabbage and carrots tossed in a creamy, slightly sweet dressing that’s anything but boring.
• Cucumber Salad– Cool, crunchy cucumbers in a simple tangy-sweet vinaigrette that tastes like summer in a bowl.
• Oven Roasted Asparagus– Tender, lightly crisp asparagus spears roasted to perfection with olive oil and a sprinkle of salt.

Finger-lickin-good. If you need a fab recipe for baking baby back ribs in the oven that is full of flavor and happens to be ridiculously easy, I’ve gotcha covered. Here’s the printable recipe card. Enjoy, friends!

FAQ

More Recipes to Try

• Balsamic Grilled Chicken
• Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
• Homemade Dinner Rolls
• Kale Salad with White Balsamic Dressing
• Chicken Cordon Bleu Sandwich

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.