Oven Baked BBQ Ribs

By Matt Price

5 from 4 votes

Oct 07, 2024, Updated Oct 22, 2024

Jump to Recipe

Oven Baked BBQ Ribs by Mr. Make It Happen

First things first, let’s prep all of our ingredients. It’s important to get organized and measure everything out before you get started to ensure efficiency.

Prepare the Ribs

1. Preheat Your Oven: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
2. Prep the Ribs: Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs if it’s still attached. This will help make the ribs more tender.

Removing the membrane from ribs is an important step for several reasons:

1. Tenderness: The membrane, also known as the silver skin, can be tough and chewy. Removing it allows the meat to be more tender and easier to eat.
2. Flavor Penetration: Without the membrane, marinades, rubs, and smoke can penetrate the meat more effectively, enhancing the overall flavor of the ribs.
3. Better Bark Formation: For those who enjoy a crispy, flavorful crust (or bark) on their ribs, removing the membrane allows for better seasoning adherence and a more appealing texture during cooking.
4. Even Cooking: The membrane can create an uneven surface on the ribs, which can lead to inconsistent cooking. Removing it helps ensure that the ribs cook more evenly.

The easiest way to do this is with a paper towel for extra grip.

Season: Rub the ribs generously with your favorite AP seasoning and BBQ seasoning, ensuring they are well coated. Drizzle the liquid smoke over the ribs for an extra smoky flavor prior to adding your spice blend.

Using a wire rack for cooking ribs in the oven offers several benefits:

1. Even Cooking: A wire rack elevates the ribs, allowing hot air to circulate around them. This promotes even cooking and helps prevent sogginess, ensuring that the ribs cook uniformly.
2. Better Airflow: By elevating the meat, a wire rack allows for better airflow, which can help achieve a crispy exterior. This is especially beneficial if you’re applying a glaze or sauce that you want to caramelize.
3. Fat Draining: Ribs can release fat during cooking. Using a wire rack allows this excess fat to drip away, resulting in leaner, less greasy ribs.
4. Reduced Steaming: When ribs are placed directly on a baking sheet, they can steam in their own juices, leading to a less desirable texture. A wire rack helps to minimize this effect.
5. Easy Handling: A wire rack makes it easier to transfer the ribs in and out of the oven, and it can also simplify basting and glazing.
6. Presentation: Cooking ribs on a wire rack can improve presentation. The ribs are less likely to stick or tear when it comes time to serve.
7. Basting Convenience: If you’re basting your ribs during cooking, a wire rack allows you to do so without making a mess, as any drips will fall into the pan below.

Bake the ribs for 2.5 hours at 275 degrees. After the 2.5 hour mark, we are going to remove them from the oven and wrap in foil with some butter, honey, brown sugar, and beef/fruit juice/or chicken broth. This process helps ensure the ribs get nice and tender.

I originally learned this recipe technique from an old friend of mine that sold me a BBQ Smoker. He was a competition BBQ guy and his specialty was ribs. I’ve been making them like this for almost 10 years now and it really doesn’t get better than this (the smoker is superior to the oven, but everyone doesn’t have access or the time for that, so here we are!)

Lay the ribs bone side down and repeat the layering of ingredients.

Finally add the liquid of your choice. This creates a steamy environment and promotes tenderness.

Wrap the ribs tightly and pop them back in the oven for 90 minutes or until they start to get good and tender. Remove from the foil and baste in BBQ sauce.

This is how we were looking before the sauce.

Once they’re sauced, add them back to the oven for 15-30 minutes.

Remove from the oven and let the ribs rest for a few minutes before slicing. Serve with additional sauce on the side and enjoy!

These oven-baked ribs are sure to be a hit at any dinner table. With their tender meat and rich, smoky flavor, they embody the essence of comfort food. Pair them with your favorite sides—like coleslaw or cornbread—and you’ll have a meal that everyone will love!

If you give this recipe a try, let me know how it turns out in the comments below.

Happy cooking!

Print & Download Oven Baked BBQ Ribs

5 from 4 votes

Oven Baked BBQ Ribs

Today, we’re making mouthwatering oven-baked ribs that are tender, flavorful, and slathered in a delicious homemade sauce. Whether you’re prepping for a weekend gathering or just craving some comfort food, these ribs are sure to impress. Let’s dive right in!

Ingredients 

For the Ribs:

• * 1 slab baby back or spare ribs
• * All-Purpose Seasoning and BBQ Seasoning, to taste
• * 1-2 tbsp liquid smoke, for that smoky flavor
• * 1 stick of butter
• * 1/4 cup honey
• * 1/4 cup brown sugar
• * 1/4 cup fruit juice, beer, or broth (your choice)

For the Sauce:

• * 2 tbsp butter
• * 1/2 cup brown sugar
• * 1 cup ketchup
• * 1/4 – 1/2 cup molasses, depending on your sweetness preference
• * 1/4 cup honey
• * 1 can chipotles in adobo, adjust for heat level
• * AP Seasoning, to taste
• * 1 dash liquid smoke

Instructions 

Prepare the Ribs

• Preheat Your Oven: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
• Prep the Ribs: Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs if it’s still attached. This will help make the ribs more tender. The easiest way to do this is with a paper towel for extra grip.

Season:

• Rub the ribs generously with your favorite AP seasoning and BBQ seasoning, ensuring they are well coated.
• Drizzle the liquid smoke over the ribs for an extra smoky flavor prior to adding your spice blend.
• Bake the ribs for 2.5 hours at 275 degrees.
• After the 2.5 hour mark, we are going to remove them from the oven and wrap in foil with some butter, honey, brown sugar, and beef/fruit juice/or chicken broth. This process helps ensure the ribs get nice and tender.
• Lay the ribs bone side down and repeat the layering of ingredients.
• Finally add the liquid of your choice. This creates a steamy environment and promotes tenderness.
• Wrap the ribs tightly and pop them back in the oven for 90 minutes or until they start to get good and tender. Remove from the foil and baste in BBQ sauce.
• Once they’re sauced, add them back to the oven for 15-30 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and let the ribs rest for a few minutes before slicing.
• Serve with additional sauce on the side and enjoy!

Additional Info

Course: BBQ & Grilling, Beef Recipes, Main Course