One of my husband’s love languages is smoking meat, and I can’t deny that a rack of ribs smoked low and slow over hickory wood chips is a total treat.
Since most people don’t own a smoker though, I’m sharing my recipe for oven-baked ribs that is BEYOND delicious and easy. Yes, you can get lip-smackin’, finger-lickin’-good ribs that fall off the bone from your oven.
Every time I make these I’m stunned over how delicious they are. They come out perfect every single time!
Watch How to Make Them
Ribs in the Oven
I place Easy Baked Ribs in the same category as slow cooker recipes because they’re completely prep-ahead then bake low and slow in the oven so I’m free to do just about anything else. They’re a hit for busy sports nights when the kids come home starving, or have activities at different times and need to stagger dinner, as the ribs are good hot or warm.
Seasoned with everyday spices, baked for hours, then slathered with BBQ sauce — these oven ribs are succulent, fall apart-tender, and truly the easiest rib recipe you’ll ever make.
4 Main Types of Ribs
To be clear, this method for baking ribs in the oven is for pork ribs, not beef ribs. When you go to the grocery store there are several types of pork ribs to choose from and it can feel confusing, for sure! That said, please take your seat for Pork Rib 101 where I’ll review the 4 main types of ribs you’ll find at the store.
- Baby Back Ribs (aka Back Ribs or Loin Ribs): are from the upper rib cage connected to the back bone. This cut contains 11-13 ribs and has a natural curve to it. The ribs shown in these photos are baby back ribs (and are not taken from baby pigs, as the name might imply.) You’ll typically find back ribs in 2 — 3lb portions which feeds 2-3 people.
- Spare Ribs (aka Side Ribs): are the portion of ribs further down the belly towards the breastbone. This cut of ribs contains larger bones and more meat between the bones, vs baby back ribs where the majority of the meat is on top of the bones. This cut of ribs can come with extra cartilage and bones (aka rib tips) which aren’t very appetizing to bite down on, imo. Spare ribs take longer to cook than back ribs, though they can be used in this recipe.
- St. Louis Ribs: are spare ribs with the aforementioned cartilage and extra bones sliced off.
- Country Style Ribs: aren’t actually ribs — they’re cut from pork shoulder and are very meaty.
How to Choose Good Baby Back Ribs
Whether you’re baking, grilling or smoking them — here are two main considerations to keep in mind when choosing a rack of back ribs at the store:
- Meat on top: look for baby back ribs with a good amount of meat on top of the ribs because back ribs don’t have a ton of meat between each rib bone.
- Fat: look for a rack of ribs with a good amount of fat. Pork fat = FLAVOR! You can trim any larger pieces off, but fat gives ribs their mouthwatering flavor and texture.
In general, a 2-1/2 — 3lb rack of baby back ribs will feed 2-3 people so I bake two racks of ribs to comfortably feed by family of 5.
I think making ribs at home is something a lot of people find intimidating but honestly it couldn’t be simpler — I’ll show you how!
How to Bake Ribs in the Oven
Step 1: Trim the ribs.
Start with a 2-1/2 — 3lb rack of baby back ribs. Again, look for ribs with a lot of meat on top of the bones AND a good amount of fat. If there are large pieces of fat on top, feel free to trim them away.
Blot the ribs all over with paper towels to dry them completely.
Step 2: Peel away the silver skin.
On the back of the ribs is a connective tissue layer called silver skin. The tissue is hard to bite through and needs to be removed before cooking the ribs no matter the method. Sometimes it’s already been removed by the processor but sometimes it hasn’t.
Silver skin has a purply-white color (silver, I guess, lol) and is not hard to remove. If present, stick a pairing knife underneath the silver skin between two rib bones near one end of the rib rack then use a paper towel, if necessary, to get a good grip and peel it away from the length of the ribs.
All easy from here on out!
Step 3: Season the ribs.
Next, stir together a homemade seasoning mix of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and a little cayenne pepper (optional) in a small bowl.
Sprinkle the mixture on both sides of the ribs then rub to coat with your fingers. Wrap the ribs in plastic wrap then refrigerate for 2 hours or up to 24 hours. You can place the ribs on the baking sheet we’ll use to bake them on, or on a tray — it doesn’t matter.
Step 4: Cover then bake.
When it’s time to bake, unwrap the ribs then place them on a foil-lined, nonstick-sprayed baking sheet. If baking more than one rack, give them each their own baking sheet.
Cover the ribs tightly with foil then bake for 3-1/2 hours at 250 degrees. If your rack of ribs is larger than 3lbs, add an additional 30 minutes baking time per additional 1/2 — 1lb ribs. For example, bake a 3 — 4lb rack of ribs for 4 hours.
Carefully remove the foil on top of the baking pan then drain off any excess liquid that might be present.
Step 5: Slather with BBQ sauce.
Slather the tops of the ribs with your favorite BBQ sauce then bake for an additional 30 minutes to get a caramelized, lacquered top. Personally I like to go with a sweeter BBQ sauce like Stubb’s Sticky Sweet BBQ Sauce.
The scent wafting from the oven is unlike anything else!
Step 6: Rest, Slice, then Serve
Let the ribs rest for 15 minutes or so before slicing and serving. I’m telling you — the meat completely falls off the bone. So tasty and tender!
Whether you’re serving ribs at a summer cookout, the middle of winter, or anytime in between, I hope you love every last drop of these tender and truly delicious oven baked ribs — enjoy!
Serve these recipes with your ribs!
- Gluten Free Cornbread
- The BEST Pasta Salad
- Marinated Vegetable Salad
- The Best Baked Beans EVER
- Cucumber-Tomato Salad
- Napa Sweet Corn Salad
- 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
- 1 slab baby back ribs, 2-1/2 — 3lbs total
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, or more or less (ie, you can eyeball it!)
- 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, optional
Directions
- Line a half sheet pan with foil then set aside.
- Peel the silver skin away from the back of the rib rack if present then trim off any large pieces of excess fat. Fat adds flavor so you want to leave a good portion on, though if there is very thick/excess fat, feel free to trim it off.
- For the spice rub: add the ingredients to a small bowl then stir to combine. Sprinkle half the mixture over the top of the ribs then rub to coat. Flip the ribs over then sprinkle on the remaining seasonings and rub to coat. Wrap the ribs in saran wrap then place onto the prepared baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 24 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 250 degrees then unwrap the ribs and place them directly onto the foil. Cover the ribs tightly with another piece of foil then bake for 3-1/2 hours (see notes if your rib rack is larger). Carefully remove the top piece of foil then drain away any excess liquid from the sheet pan if there is any.
- Brush the BBQ sauce over the top of the ribs then bake for an additional 30 minutes or until the top is caramelized.
- Let the ribs rest for 15 minutes then slice and serve.
Notes
- If your rack of ribs is larger than 3lbs, add an additional 30 minutes baking time per each additional 1/2 — 1lb ribs. For example, I bake a 3-1/2lb rack of ribs for 4 hours.
- If you are cooking more than one rack of ribs, separate each rack on it's on baking sheet then rotate the ribs halfway through baking time.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Video
Photos by Ashley McLaughlin
Wanda 01.01.2022
What if you have no cumin
Kristin 01.06.2022
You can leave it out!
Carolyn June Tortorice 10.06.2021
If you’re making 2 racks of ribs, would you increase the cooking time by 1/2 hour for each extra pound?
Kristin 01.06.2022
It should bake in the same amount of time as one rack. Use the convection bake setting on your oven if you have it!
Carter 07.04.2021
My first time making ribs. I wish you had included removing the silver skin in your directions! Can’t assume everyone knows this!
Kristin 07.07.2021
Added – thanks for your feedback!
Karen Kile 06.21.2021
This recipe is loved by the entire family. It’s the only recipe we use! Thank you for another simple yet delicious recipe!
Kristin 06.22.2021
Looove to hear that, Karen!! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
Ellen 06.19.2021
Do I need to remove the silver skin?
Kristin 06.21.2021
Yes, if it’s present on the particular ribs you purchased you’ll definitely want to remove those.
Janine C 03.04.2021
I made these for my very picky 9 yr old and he LOVED them!!!
Kristin 03.04.2021
So glad to hear that, Janine! Always great we can please our picky eaters!
Marnita Smith 11.08.2020
Very good
Kianne 09.23.2020
Hey, I absolutely love this recipe and so does my family. I’m going to make 1 slab 4 pounds and another 7 pounds and am so confused about how much time I should cook them for.
Andrea 07.04.2020
These were sooooo easy to make and my BBQ snob of husband said they were delicious! Had them in the oven while we were in the pool, perfect recipe for playing and entertaining!
Melissa 05.01.2020
Are you saying if you use a 2 1/2 lbs spare rib slab you’d cook them at 4hrs and 45mins? Is that correct? Or only add on 30mins per lb if it’s more than 2 1/2lbs? Thanks.
Ps…I absolutely love your recipes!!
Kristin 05.01.2020
Hi Melissa! If your slab is larger than 2-1/2lb then add 30 additional minutes past 3-1/2 hours per extra pound. So you if you have a 2-1/2lb rack you would bake for 3-1/2 hours. If you have a 3-1/2lb rack you would bake for 4 hours.
Stef 04.28.2020
Hi…excited to try…where do you purchase your ribs?
Kristin 04.28.2020
Hi Stef! I just buy wherever I’m grocery shopping when they’re on our menu. Costco has a great three pack otherwise we buy at our regular grocery store (HyVee). :)
Sam W 12.08.2019
Do they need to be thawed or frozen
Kristin 12.09.2019
The ribs should be thawed prior to baking.
Johansson 11.28.2019
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Jeanie Thomas 07.04.2019
I have tried to make baby back ribs for the past several years, and they were “okay” but nothing special! These were Wowza!! I love how complete your instructions are. Thanks for sharing your recipes.
Kristin 07.08.2019
I’m so glad you liked them, Jeanie! Thanks for your feedback and recipe review!
Barb Hendrickson 07.04.2019
What a delicious rib recipe! Not sure I’ll make them any other way ever again!
Kristin 07.08.2019
Thrilled to hear it, Barb! Thanks for your feedback and recipe review!
Margot 02.18.2019
Hi Kristin! Thank you so much for posting this recipe, just made it and the ribs came out great!! Even my hubs, who is not the biggest bbq fan, really loved the ribs. I did kick up the spice rub a bit with 1 tsp dried mustard, 1 Tbsp dried oregano, and 2 tsp dried thyme, plus added a “glaze” of 1/2 cup grape juice + 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar after 2 hours in the oven at 250. So glad I chose your blog, I will definitely be adding more of your recipes to the List of Great Recipes!! Cheers!
Kristin 02.19.2019
That is awesome!! My husband is a rib snob – he believes if they’re not smoked they’re not worth eating – but he secretly likes these too. ;) Thanks for your feedback and recipe review!
Nisha Orser 11.03.2018
Soooooooo. I didn’t realize the recipe stated 2 slabs of ribs and I doubled the recipe of rub ???. Do you think they are doomed?
Kristin 11.13.2018
You should be fine! The recipe means 2lbs to 2-1/2lbs of ribs total, which I now realize could come off as two, 2-1/2 slabs of ribs. I apologize for the confusion. I’ll change that now!
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Kimberly Jackson 08.04.2018
Made ribs for my husband and I and he said that it was the best ribs hes ever eaten. Now I make this recipe all the time.
Kristin 08.06.2018
Such a huge compliment – I’m so glad to hear it, Kimberly! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
Ashton 07.28.2018
The best ribs I have ever made and tasted. Great recipe!
Kristin 07.31.2018
So great to hear it, Ashton!! Thanks for your feedback and recipe rating!