Oven Baked Baby Back Ribs
Oven baked baby back ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender and packed with smoky, savory flavor, all without the need for a grill or smooker. This easy recipe is perfect for a delicious, crowd-pleasing meal right from your oven!

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Craving a taste of barbecue heaven but prefer to stay indoors? When I’m not in the mood to fire up my smoker or cook ribs on the gas grill I simply turn to this easy oven-baked ribs recipe.
This recipe is my secret weapon for turning any ordinary day into a barbecue feast. With just a few simple ingredients and my foolproof method, you’ll soon be enjoying ribs that rival your favorite Southern smokehouse.
Why I love this recipe
It’s incredibly easy – just prep, pop in the oven, and wait for until cooked. The hardest part is being patient! Oven-baking ensures consistent results without the hassle of outdoor grilling or firing up the smoker.
Ingredients
- baby back ribs
- yellow mustard
- spices: season salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black and white pepper
- brown sugar
- unsalted butter
- honey
- barbecue sauce
Step by step
- Take the ribs out of the refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature for one hour.
- Preheat the oven to 245°F.
- Clean the ribs and remove the membrane from the back so it’s smooth, if necessary. Pat the ribs dry.
- Add mustard to both sides to help tenderize the meat—it won’t taste like mustard.
- Season with garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, white pepper, smoked paprika, and season salt on both sides of the meat. Do not rub in the seasonings.
- Wrap the ribs tightly in foil and cook for 2 hours in the preheated oven.
- After two hours, remove the ribs from the oven and carefully open the foil. Add brown sugar, honey, and butter.
- Tent the foil so it is not touching the meat and return to the oven for an additional hour.
- If you want to add BBQ sauce, brush it on, turn up the oven temperature to 425°F, and cook for 10 minutes until it’s nice and sticky.
Tips for best results
- Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs for the best texture.
- Use yellow mustard to tenderize the meat without adding a mustard flavor.
- Wrap the ribs tightly in foil to keep them moist.
- Tent the foil when adding the brown sugar, honey, and butter to prevent sticking.
- Increase the oven temperature at the end for a perfect sticky BBQ finish.
Variations
Experiment with various spice rubs and sauces. Adding a touch of chili powder can bring a spicy kick, while opting for a sweet and tangy sauce can offer a different flavor profile.
Serving suggestions
Serve these ribs hot off the oven with classic sides like coleslaw, baked beans, or cheesy cornbread. They are perfect for a family dinner or a summer get-together in the backyard.
Storage
Store leftover ribs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, use the microwave or, if you have time, preheat your oven to 300°F, wrap the ribs in foil, and heat them for about 20-30 minutes until thoroughly warmed. This method ensures the ribs retain their moisture and flavor.
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PrintOven Baked Baby Back Ribs
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
Baked baby back ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender and packed with smoky, savory flavor, all without the need for a grill or smoker. This easy recipe is perfect for a delicious, crowd-pleasing meal right from your oven!
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 slab baby back ribs
- 1/2 cup yellow mustard
- 2 teaspoons season salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon white pepper
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce (optional)
Instructions
Instructions:
- Allow the ribs to sit at room temperature for one hour.
- Preheat the oven to 245°F.
- Clean the ribs and remove the membrane from the back so it’s smooth. Pat the ribs dry.
- Add mustard to both sides to help tenderize the meat—it won’t taste like mustard.
- Mix the garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, white pepper, smoked paprika, and season salt in a small bowl. Season both sides of the meat with the spice mixture. Do not rub the seasonings into the top, just sprinkle over the surface.
- Wrap the ribs tightly in foil and cook for 2 hours in the preheated oven.
- After two hours, remove the ribs from the oven and carefully open the foil. Add brown sugar, honey, and butter.
- Tent the foil so it is not touching the meat and return to the oven for an additional hour.
- If you want to add BBQ sauce, brush it on, turn up the oven temperature to 425°F, and cook for 10 minutes until it’s nice and sticky.
Notes
Do not rub in the seasonings (the salt will dry out the meat).
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours and 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Oven Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 237
- Sugar: 35.7 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 9.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 39.2 g
- Fiber: 1.2 g
- Protein: 1.1 g
- Cholesterol: 22.9 mg