As you know, one of Ben’s love languages is smoking meat and I can’t deny that ribs that have been smoked low and slow over hickory wood chips are a total treat. Since most people don’t own a smoker though, I’m sharing an oven-based recipe for ribs that is BEYOND delicious and easy. Yep, you can get lip-smackin’, finger-lickin’ good ribs that fall off the bone from your oven. Don’t believe me? Just you wait!
Watch How to Make Them!
Baby back ribs are rubbed with everyday spices then marinated in the fridge for a few hours or up to overnight. After a few hours of baking in the oven at a low temperature (not heating up the kitchen, for the win!) they’re rendered succulent and fall apart-tender. Honestly, I cannot stress to you how tender the rib meat gets. Pull on the bone and it slides out completely clean.
I think making ribs at home is something a lot of people find intimidating but honestly it couldn’t be simpler. Don’t forget the homemade cornbread! I’ll show you how.
How to Make This Recipe
Start with a 2-1/2lb slab of ribs. Look for ribs that have some fat on top as it will add flavor and juiciness to the meat. Peel off/remove silver skin from the ribs if present then trim any large pieces of fat off if desired.
Next, get your homemade rub together. Add 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon each onion powder, cumin, and smoked paprika, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper to a small bowl then mix to combine.
Sprinkle both sides of the ribs with the mixture then rub it in and wrap the rack in plastic wrap. Place in the fridge to marinate for 2 hours or up to overnight.
When it’s time to bake, place the ribs on a foil-lined, nonstick-sprayed baking sheet then cover completely with more foil and bake for 3-1/2 hours. If you’re using a larger rack of baby-back ribs, tack on an extra 1/2 hour per pound over 2-1/2lbs.
When time is up, unwrap the ribs then slather the top with your favorite BBQ sauce. Oh, they smell so good!
Pop the rack back in the oven for 30 minutes or until the top has caramelized.
Sweet, sweet OVEN BAKED baby back ribs!
Slice ’em up, and serve ’em hot!
Serve these recipes with your ribs!
- Marinated Vegetable Salad
- Gluten Free Cornbread
- The BEST Pasta Salad
- Mojito Fruit Salad
- The Best Baked Beans EVER
- Cucumber-Tomato Salad
- Watermelon Jalapeño Margaritas
- Classic Potato Salad
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Easy Baked Ribs
Description
Easy Baked Ribs are, you guessed it…easy! Succulent, juicy, and fall-off-the-bone-tender, too. Cook ribs in the oven if you don’t own a smoker or grill!
Ingredients
- slab of baby back ribs (could use spare ribs), 2-2-1/2lbs total
- 1/4 - 1/3 cup BBQ sauce
- For the spice rub:
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Directions
- Trim/peel off silver skin from ribs if present. Mix spices together in a small bowl then rub into both sides of the ribs, wrap in saran wrap, and then refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
- Preheat oven to 250 degrees then line a baking sheet with foil and spray with nonstick spray. Place ribs on top then cover tightly with more foil and bake for 3-1/2 hours (add more time if your ribs are larger then 2-1/2lbs.) Remove foil, drain any excess liquid from the pan, then brush BBQ sauce on top and bake for 30 more minutes, or until top is slightly caramelized. Slice then serve.
Notes
- If using a larger rack of ribs, add 30 minutes baking time per pound past 2-1/2lbs.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Robert james 07.11.2018
Do you leave the Saran Rap on when baking the ribs?
Kristin 07.11.2018
No, remove before baking.
Marie Gensey 06.10.2018
Best ribs I have made in a long time. Will definitely make these again
Kristin 06.12.2018
Oh I’m so glad to hear it, Marie! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
Shirley stevens 03.09.2018
Made this again taste good and easy way to make ribs
Cruz colon 02.04.2018
Just finished making this recipe..they are. Tender,fall off the bone amazingggg
Autumn 02.03.2018
I’m a vegetarian so I know next-to-nothing about ribs, but my dad, FIL, and husband were all very impressed with how tender and fall-off-the-bone these were, though they had all been skeptical of my baking them in the oven. Thanks for an easy, impressive recipe. :)
Mitch 12.31.2017
Hi! These looks delish! Just a question though, is it 250 C degrees or 250 F degrees, when cooking the ribs! Thanks! ?
A Small Win – Ribs Edition | Life is full of Sunny Days 11.26.2017
[…] had some success with this recipe from Iowa Girl Eats. I loved it, but Diva wasn’t feeling the seasoning and I wanted something […]
Anita Paton 11.06.2017
We make these ribs on my husband’s birthday and for Father’s Day. It is are go to recipe.
Kristin 11.06.2017
So glad to hear it, Anita! Love that they’ve become a tradition for your family!
Rick 09.04.2017
Made these ribs today and they were perfect. Awesome recipe. The one thing I did not do is marinate – i just put the rub on wrapped in foil and threw them in the oven at 260 deg for 3-1/2 hrs and then 1/2 hr open with sauce on them and they litterally fell off the bone as I was taking out of pan. I will definitely be making again.
Isbel 08.30.2017
I made these to eat in connection with the Game of Thrones season finale (it felt appropriate) and they were amazing! Incredibly easy to make and they were delicious!
Kristin 08.30.2017
HA! YES, so perfect!! So glad you enjoyed, Isbel, and thanks so much for leaving a recipe rating! :)
Abi 07.12.2017
Oh my gosh! From one Iowa girl to another this looks amazing! If you’d ever like to team up count me in ?? YUMM!
Pat 07.11.2017
The ribs are so tender. I will definitely make this again. Thanks!!!
Diaries of a Working Mommy 07.04.2017
These Ribs are Fabulous! We are making this today. Thanks for sharing!
Trista 09.05.2016
This is my go to ribs recipe. The only changes that I make is I add a little liquid smoke sprinkled over the top after putting on the rub. Then, I sear them on each side on the grill before putting them into the oven. Just to give them a little extra flavor. Delicious!!!
Kristin 09.06.2016
Love the extra special touches to make it uniquely yours, Trista!
Courtney 08.15.2016
Hi– we usually eat our ribs w no sauce. We love the rub flavor alone. Will we still uncover and cook another 30min if not using sauce?
Very hopeful about the recipe. We’ve been struggling to find a good one!
Thx- Courtney
Kristin 08.15.2016
Hi Courtney! If you’re not using sauce, I’d keep the ribs covered until they have 10 minutes left to go. Otherwise I could see them drying out. I hope you love them!
Annie 07.03.2016
Finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! These are the best oven ribs! I have tried a ton of recipes for “fall off the bone” oven ribs and this is it! Thank you so much!
Kristin 07.05.2016
So glad to hear you loved these, Annie!! :) Thanks for the feedback!
Ashley 07.01.2016
Hi Kristin! This is my go to recipe whenever I’m making ribs! I just recently bought a smoker and wanted to try smoking the ribs instead of baking. Would I still be able to use the same technique or would I need to change it up a bit? Thanks!
CJ 06.19.2016
these ribs WERE EASY AND AMAZING!! and I was a novice.
Kristin 06.20.2016
Yesss, exactly what I like to hear, CJ! Thanks so much for the feedback!
Angie Jozefowicz 07.25.2015
quick question – If I don’t have cumin in my spice pantry can I leave it out or substitute another spice?
Kristin 07.28.2015
Yep that should be fine to leave it out!
Miranda 06.21.2015
Kristin, have you made these with boneless ribs? That is what I have on hand. Thanks
Kristin 06.22.2015
Hi Miranda! I have never tried this recipe with boneless ribs but I think it would probably not take as much time. Let me know how they turn out!
Mianda 06.24.2015
I tried it and they turned out awesome! I cooked it for an 2 1/2 hours then put the BBQ sauce on and cooked an additional 25 minutes. Yummy!