These tender, juicy and flavorful Baked Barbecue Pork Ribs are cooked low and slow then broiled to perfection.
It’s so much easier than you think to make the most succulent, melt-in-your-mouth pork ribs! This method takes some time but it’s totally worth it.
How to Make Oven-Baked Baby Back Ribs
Start by removing the membrane from the back side of the ribs. Season the ribs with a simple dry rub by massaging it on both sides of the ribs as evenly as possible. Place on a baking sheet lined with foil (meat side up), then cover with foil (be sure to seal tightly so that no steam escapes).
Bake until tender, remove foil and brush with your favorite barbecue sauce (if you haven’t tried my easy homemade barbecue sauce, now’s the time!). Finish the ribs off under the broiler until the sauce is caramelized and bubbly.
How Long to Cook Ribs at 250 Degrees
I bake my ribs at 250 degrees F an hour per pound. This recipe calls for a 3-pound rack of ribs baked for 3 hours (then broiled). I prefer my ribs not literally “falling off the bone”, as I like the meat to be very tender but still attached to the bone. If you prefer your ribs “falling off the bone”, I would suggest baking an additional 10 to15 minutes.
Suggested Side Dishes
If you’re in a hurry, try my Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs that are prepared in a fraction of the time without sacrificing flavor. Enjoy!
Baked Barbecue Pork Ribs
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 rack baby back pork ribs approximately 3 pounds
- ⅔ cup prepared barbecue sauce or homemade
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 250 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Combine the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, brown sugar and cayenne pepper together in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Remove the membrane from the back side of the ribs – Insert a butter knife under the membrane at one end of the ribs and lift. Using a paper towel, grip the membrane and gently pull to completely remove.
- Rub the spice mixture as evenly as possible over the ribs.
- Place ribs on prepared baking sheet (meat side up). Cover and seal with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 3 hours, or until tender.
- Remove ribs from oven and carefully remove aluminum foil. Drain and discard any juices. Brush ribs on both sides evenly with barbecue sauce.
- Turn oven broiler on high and place under broiler for 3 to 5 minutes, until sauce starts to bubble and caramelize (watching carefully so that ribs do not burn).
Notes
- According to the USDA, pork back ribs should be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees F with a 3 minute rest time.
Nutrition
If provided, nutritional info is a courtesy, is not guaranteed and should only be considered as a guideline.
Originally published January 26, 2012. Updated with new photographs, revised recipe and republished on September 10, 2019.
Absolutely fabulous! This recipe is so flavorful. It is simple in preparation but the outcome is enormously delightful and delicious! The best ribs from an oven recipe ever!
Simple recipe but a great impact on taste. Highly recommend this fall off the bone ribs. Going back for more.
Thanks so much, Veronica… glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Absolutely the best ribs I’ve ever cooked and tasted.
So glad to hear you enjoyed the ribs so much… thank you, Rob! 🙂
When cooking in the oven at 250, are the ribs still covered with foil? This recipe is slightly obscure in the wording. Seems like the original bake at 250 is covered, and uncovered for the lady 40 min (10 per side) bake. Please clarify. Thanks!
Hi Amanda! You have it right. In the instructions it says to remove the foil and return to baking sheet to bake uncovered for an additional 8-10 minutes per side. Hope you enjoy! 🙂