Oven Baked Baby Back Ribs

These oven-baked baby back ribs are a truly delicious way to cook baby back ribs. With a perfect balance of tanginess and sweetness, the tender meat falls right off the bone, leaving you craving for more. Coated with a savory spice blend, caramelized with brown sugar and honey, and optionally glazed with BBQ sauce, these ribs are a crowd-pleasing dish that will make any occasion memorable.

Baking baby back ribs in the oven is one of the most convenient ways to cook ribs.

This recipe creates succulent ribs that are packed with flavor and cooked to perfection.

Whether your a novice cook or seasoned pro, these step by step instructions will help you achieve mouthwatering results every time.

These baby back ribs are a versatile dish that can be enjoyed all year round.

They're perfect for casual get-togethers, game nights, backyard barbecues, or even a special holiday feast.

Their finger-licking goodness and tender texture make them an irresistible choice for meat lovers.

Whether you're hosting a Fourth of July cookout, a Super Bowl party, or simply craving a comforting meal, these ribs will steal the show and leave your guests impressed.

And if you like these ribs, be sure to check out our slow cooker honey garlic ribs.

Jump to:

• What You'll Love About This Recipe
• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Top Tips
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Storage Instructions
• Recipe

What You'll Love About This Recipe

• Fall-off-the-bone tender meat that melts in your mouth
• A delightful balance of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors
• Versatile dish suitable for tons of different occasions and gatherings
• Simple prep with easily accessible ingredients
• Delicious sticky BBQ sauce glaze for extra indulgence

Ingredients

The starts of our oven baked baby back ribs are:

Baby Back Ribs: Tender and meaty, these ribs are the star of the show. Pick fresh high quality meat.

Yellow Mustard: Acts as a tenderizer, enhancing the juiciness of the meat without imparting a mustard flavor.

Brown Sugar: Contributes a rich caramelized sweetness.

Honey: Brings a natural sweetness and helps with caramelization.

Salt and seasonings: A blend of season salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black and white pepper all emphasize the flavors of the ribs.

Unsalted Butter: Melts into the ribs, adding richness and moisture.

BBQ Sauce (optional): A tangy and sticky glaze that amplifies the flavor profile.

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Start by preheating your oven to 245°F (120°C) to create the ideal cooking environment for the ribs.

Begin the preparation by cleaning the baby back ribs, ensuring they are free from any debris or excess fat.

Flip the ribs over and locate the thin membrane on the back. Using a knife or your fingers, gently loosen and remove the membrane to create a smooth surface.

Next, take a few paper towels and pat the ribs dry. This step helps to remove any moisture on the surface, allowing the seasonings to adhere better.

Take your yellow mustard and generously spread it on both sides of the ribs. Don't worry, the mustard won't overpower the flavor.

Instead, it acts as a natural tenderizer, enhancing the juiciness of the meat.

Now it's time to season the ribs with a flavorful blend of spices.

Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and white pepper on top of the mustard.

Remember, we're not rubbing the spices in at this stage.

After the spice layer, it's time to add the season salt.

Sprinkle it on both sides of the ribs, gently pressing it into the surface. The season salt brings a savory and well-rounded taste to the ribs.

Once the seasonings are in place, it's important not to rub them in. Instead, let them sit on the surface and work their magic during the cooking process.

Now, grab a large piece of foil and place the seasoned ribs in the center.

Wrap the foil tightly around the ribs, creating a sealed packet. This step helps to lock in the flavors and moisture during the cooking process.

Place the foil-wrapped ribs on a baking sheet and slide them into the preheated oven. Allow the ribs to cook undisturbed for 2 hours, allowing the low and slow heat to work its magic.

After the initial 2-hour cooking time, carefully remove the ribs from the oven. Take caution when opening the foil as hot steam may escape.

At this point, it's time to add a touch of sweetness and richness to the ribs. Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the exposed ribs.

Then, drizzle the unsalted butter and honey mixture on top. This combination creates a delectable caramelized glaze.

Tent the foil over the ribs, ensuring it doesn't come into direct contact with the meat.

The tenting allows the ribs to continue cooking while allowing steam to escape, preventing them from becoming overly moist.

Return the foil-wrapped ribs to the oven and let them cook for an additional hour.

This extended cooking time further tenderizes the meat and allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.

If you're looking to add a BBQ sauce glaze for an extra layer of flavor, now's the time. Brush your favorite BBQ sauce onto the ribs, ensuring an even coating.

Then, increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C).

Place the ribs back into the oven for a final 10 minutes, allowing the BBQ sauce to become sticky and caramelized.

This step adds a delightful tangy-sweet note to the ribs, making them even more irresistible.

Once the ribs have finished cooking, remove them from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes.

This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more flavorful and moist bite.

When you're ready to serve, carefully unwrap the foil and behold the succulent baby back ribs.

Slice them into individual ribs, and get ready to enjoy a meal that's packed with tender, flavorful goodness.

Serve the ribs alongside your favorite sides, such as coleslaw, cornbread, or grilled vegetables, and let the indulgence begin. Don't forget to have plenty of napkins on hand because these ribs are finger-licking good!

Now, sit back, savor the deliciousness, and bask in the satisfaction of creating mouthwatering oven-cooked baby back ribs right in your own kitchen. Enjoy!

Top Tips

Avoid pre-seasoning the ribs for more than 2 hours to prevent the salt from drying out the meat.

Allow the ribs to come to room temperature before baking for more even cooking.

When applying the spice blend, gently press it into the meat without rubbing to avoid excessive salt absorption, again, drying out the meat.

Make sure to wrap the ribs tightly in foil to seal in the flavors and moisture.

Tent the foil to prevent it from touching the meat, ensuring proper circulation of heat.

For a sticky glazed finish, brush the ribs with BBQ sauce during the final 10 minutes of cooking at higher temperature.

Substitutions

• Yellow Mustard: Dijon mustard or spicy brown mustard can be used as alternatives.
• Season Salt: You can replace it with a combination of salt, paprika, and other preferred seasonings.
• Smoked Paprika: If you don't have smoked paprika, regular paprika can be substituted.
• BBQ Sauce: Feel free to use your favorite homemade or store-bought BBQ sauce to suit your taste.

Variations

1. Asian-inspired: Infuse the ribs with Asian flavors by adding ginger, soy sauce, and hoisin sauce to the seasoning blend. Garnish with chopped scallions and sesame seeds.
2. Spicy Chipotle: Enhance the heat by adding chipotle powder or hot sauce to the seasoning mix. Serve with a cooling cilantro-lime yogurt sauce.
3. Citrus Zest: Add a burst of freshness by including lemon or orange zest in the spice blend. Serve with a citrus glaze or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
4. Maple Glazed: Substitute honey with maple syrup for a delightful maple glaze. Sprinkle with crushed pecans for added crunch.

Storage Instructions

If you have any leftovers, store the cooked ribs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

To prolong their shelf life, you can freeze the ribs in a freezer-safe container or tightly wrapped in foil for up to 3 months.

Thaw frozen ribs in the refrigerator before reheating in the oven or on the grill.