These Oven Baked Ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender and sooo flavorful! And when I say fall-all-the-bone, I really mean it! You do not need a knife to eat these. They're easy to make, but it takes a few hours to achieve that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Looking for more easy dinner recipes? Try my easy meatloaf next!
About This Recipe
To quote my wife: "These ribs literally melt in your mouth."
Story time. My wife has this funny obsession with her dad's ribs. Apparently, he made the best ribs of her lifeโonceโwhen she was in high school, on a camping trip. Since then, we've been to rib festivals, BBQ joints, you name itโฆ and she still swears nothing compares. I always tell her that she was probably just super hungry or caught up in the moment, but she's convinced her dad made the best ribs ever.
Side note: her dad doesn't cook. The "best ribs" were just Costco ribs grilled on a cheap propane BBQ.
Well, I think I finally beat those ribs with this recipe. I asked her "Were these better than your dad's ribs? And she said "I think they're probably better than my dad's ribs." Not exactly a glowing confirmation, but you know what, I'll take it. I've never even gotten close to a probably before.
These ribs are SERIOUSLY good. The homemade barbecuque sauce is where it's at. It's sweet, tangy, and perfectly complements the flavor of the meat. And the meat itself? Extremely tender. The secret comes from double wrapping the ribs in foil and slow cooking them for several hours. When you wrap them tightly, you are basically steaming/sous videing them in their own juices. This keeps the temperature nice and low so they don't get overcooked.
Key Ingredients
Pork ribs: Today, I used side ribs, but if you're looking for the most popular option, go for baby back ribs. Baby back ribs are also leaner and more tender. Side ribs have a lot of fat, which is why I like them, but they also take longer to cook because they have more connective tissue.
Salt & pepper: The ribs should be lightly seasoned with salt and pepper on both sides before baking.
Barbecue sauce: I LOVE homemade barbecue sauce. No store-bought version - even expensive brands - can compare. For my barbecue sauce, you'll need onion, ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Optional: For an even deeper flavor, you can add a splash of molasses, a pinch of MSG, or hot mustard.
Instructions
STEP 1: Season the ribs with salt and black pepper on both sides.
STEP 2: Double wrap the ribs in aluminum foil and place on a baking tray.
STEP 3: Bake at a 275ยฐF oven for 3 hours.
STEP 4: In the meantime, blend all the barbecque sauce ingredients in a food processor or blender. Transfer to a saucepan and simmer on low heat for 20 minutes until thickened.
STEP 5: Remove the ribs from the foil and pat them dry with paper towels. Brush both sides with a generous amount of sauce and place the meat side up on a baking tray lined with foil.
STEP 6: Broil at 500ยฐF on the top rack for 4-5 minutes until the sauce is caramelized.
๐ Recipe
Oven Baked Ribs
Ingredients
- 2-3 pounds baby back ribs (or side ribs)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ยฝ teaspoon black pepper
For the barbeque sauce
- 1 medium onion
- 1 cup ketchup
- ยฝ cup brown sugar (firmly packed)
- ยผ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 275ยฐF and set the rack in the middle position.
- If not done so already, remove the white membrane from the back side of the ribs (see notes). Season the ribs all over with salt and pepper. Wrap tightly in two layers of aluminum foil. Place meaty side up on a large baking sheet.
- Bake for around 3 hours until the meat is tender and fall apart. In the meantime, prepare the barbecue sauce.
- Blend all the barbecue sauce ingredients in a small food processor until the onion is as fine as possible. Transfer to a small sauce pan and simmer for 20 minutes until thickened.
- Remove the ribs from the oven. Set the oven to broil at 500ยฐF and position the rack in the highest position. Remove the ribs from the foil and pat dry with paper towels. Brush both sides generously with barbecue sauce.
- Place meaty side up on a baking sheet lined with foil. Broil for 4-5 minutes until the sauce is caramelized. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use a butter knife to gently loosen the membrane at one end of the rack.
- Once you can grab it, use a paper towel (for better grip) and slowly pull it off.
- It should come off in one piece. If it tears, just lift and peel off the rest.
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