These Oven Baked Ribs are so easy to make any time of the year!
Who can turn down a platter of hot and saucy babyback ribs? Rubbed generously with savory spices, and topped with sliced onion and garlic, then slowly baked until fork tender, these ribs are the best! Pork ribs are a summertime staple but this recipe makes them deliciously easy to make all year long!
Oven Baked Ribs
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Fall Off the Bone Ribs!
- Juicy baked ribs don’t take all day to make! Oven baking prepares them ahead of time for quick and easy finishing on the grill and they’ll still get that char-broiled, smoky flavor that everyone loves!
- Ribs are a bbq, picnic, and potluck favorite! This recipe helps you bake them in advance and finish them on the grill for juicy and tender results every time!
- For large gatherings, pre-bake and wrap in aluminum foil. Then simply brush with bbq sauce right before grilling.
What You Need for Baked Ribs
BABY BACK RIBS: Pork baby backs are only slightly pricier, but the finished result is worth it! Country-style ribs are less expensive, but come from a tougher part of the pig and work best after they’ve been braised (slow cooking in liquid, but not boiled).
RUB: Pork ribs have a naturally juicy, mild flavor that can be enhanced with any variety of herbs and seasonings. Homemade dry rubs allow you to adjust the ingredients (sweeter/saltier/spicier). Try this DIY blackened seasoning mix, or this tasty adobo seasoning, and don’t forget some good old-fashioned spicy fajita seasoning that works on everything!
SAUCE: This recipe stands alone just using the rub, but BBQ sauce helps seal in the seasonings and makes oven-baked ribs finger-licking good! Choose your favorite store brand or DIY this easy homemade BBQ sauce.
Rib Preparation Tips
Removing the membrane from a rack of ribs is an important step. The meat is exposed to the dry rub infused into the meat.
To Remove The Membrane: On the underside where the bones are, slide a knife under one end and gently lift the membrane. Continue to lift the membrane away from the bone until it can be removed. It’s okay if the membrane breaks.
PRO TIP: Use a clean paper towel to hold onto the membrane since it can be quite slippery.
How To Bake Ribs in The Oven
It’s super easy to prep ribs ahead so that they are sure to cook to perfection:
- Make the rub and set it aside.
- TIP: Add ½ teaspoon of corn starch to keep the rub from clumping and to help it adhere to the ribs.
- Massage the rub all over the ribs, place them on a baking tray, and top with sliced onions and garlic.
- TIP: Line the baking tray with aluminum foil to keep the onions, garlic, and rack of ribs from sticking to the pan. It also makes for quick clean-up!
- Bake ribs for 2 hours, or until tender.
- Drain any fat and discard onions and garlic.
- Brush ribs with olive oil and season with salt and pepper (or brush with BBQ sauce)
- Grill or broil (per the recipe below) until the sauce is caramelized.
Best Sides for Oven-Baked Ribs
Baby back ribs are a hit with all kinds of salads and sides!
Salads: Try an easy Greek salad, a Mediterranean pasta salad, or this delish orzo pasta salad. For something green and colorful try this crisp strawberry spinach salad or a fresh cucumber radish salad.
Side Dishes: Rosemary roasted potatoes, baked potato wedges, or a yummy carrot casserole would all be delicious with baby back ribs. Macaroni & cheese is always a favorite, as well as cheesy bread or dinner rolls. Why not add some bacon deviled eggs for a tasty, unexpected side?
Leftovers
Keep leftover oven-baked ribs in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat pieces in the microwave, or pull the meat from the bone and add to a veggie stir fry or a savory soup. Freeze ribs in zippered bags for up to 4 weeks.
Other Easy Rib Recipes To Try!
- Sweet And Spicy Crock Pot Ribs Recipe – so easy to prepare
- Crock Pot Ribs – just 20 minutes of prep!
- Instant Pot Ribs Recipe – incredibly tender
Oven Baked Ribs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 pounds baby back ribs 2 slabs
- 1 onion sliced
- 4 cloves garlic sliced
Dry Rub Mix
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon lemon pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
Optional
- olive oil
- salt and pepper
- BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 275°F. Line a baking tray with foil.
- Combine dry rub mix ingredients and set aside.
- Pull the opaque membrane from the back side of the ribs (the side with less meat). Rinse ribs and blot dry.
- Massage dry rub into ribs on both sides. Place on prepared tray and cover with sliced onion and garlic.
- Bake ribs for 2 hours. Check to see if they are tender and if not, continue to bake at 20 minute intervals until ribs are tender. Remove from oven.
- Discard juices, onions & garlic, but keep ribs on baking sheet. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt & pepper, or brush generously with BBQ sauce.
- Grill or broil over medium high heat 5-10 minutes.
Notes
- Refrigerate leftover ribs in a covered container for up to a week.
- Ribs can be reheated in multiple ways. In the oven covered with foil, in the microwave, or in an air fryer.
- Use leftover meat in other recipes if desired.
- Freeze cooked and cooled ribs in zippered bags for up to 4 weeks.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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