Easy Oven Baked Ribs

These easy oven baked ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender, packed with flavor, and finished with a sticky BBQ sauce that’s finger-lickin’ good. You don’t need a grill or smoker to make perfect ribs—just your oven and a few pantry ingredients!

These bbq baked ribs are the best ribs in the world. Just trust me, forget the grill or smoker. Baking ribs is the best way to make ribs. Everyone who has made these ribs absolutely loves them. They are sticky, tender and crowd-pleasing.

I love this recipe because it’s foolproof. You rub the ribs with some mustard and bbq rub, wrap the ribs in foil, let them slow roast until tender, and then finish them off under the broiler for that irresistible caramelized crust. Whether you’re making them for a weekend dinner or serving a crowd, these ribs never disappoint.

They’re juicy, flavorful, and taste like they came straight from a BBQ joint.

Sticky, Saucy Oven Baked Ribs 😋

These oven-baked ribs are tender, saucy, and incredibly easy to make. Here’s why I love this recipe:

• No Grill Needed: Yes, you can cook tender ribs in the oven without a grill or smoker. You just need 10 minutes of hands on prep. The rest of the time, the oven is doing all of the work. It’s the easiest way to cook ribs.
• Tender, Juicy Ribs: The foil wrap steams the ribs to perfection. The simple combination of brown sugar, mustard and bbq rub creates delicious flavor.
• BBQ Flavor at Home: You can make restaurant-quality ribs at home with this recipe. Use your favorite bbq sauce.

Ingredients You Need

This recipe uses just five simple ingredients to build deep flavor from start to finish.

NOTE: The full list of ingredients with measurements is provided in the recipe card below.

• Pork Ribs: I like to use either baby back or St. Louis style ribs. Baby back ribs are tender and lean; St. Louis-style are meatier.
• Dark Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps to form a crust. You can substitute with light brown sugar, if needed.
• Mustard: I like using Dijon mustard, but you can use regular yellow mustard too.
• BBQ Rub: You can use your favorite type of bbq rub to season the meat.
• BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite type of barbecue sauce for the ribs – sweet, smoky, spicy, or tangy.

How to Make Easy Oven Baked Ribs

These ribs come together in a few easy steps. Here’s how to make them:

1. Prep the ribs: Remove the silver skin (membrane) from the back of the ribs. You can do this by sliding a paring knife under the thin membrane and then peel it away from the bones. Pat dry with a paper towel.

2. Make the rub: In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and the bbq rub.
3. Season: Rub the mustard all over the ribs on both sides. Then rub the brown sugar mixture all over the ribs make sure to fill in all the gaps.

4. Wrap and bake: Place the ribs on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Wrap tightly in foil. Bake at 350°F for 2.5 to 3 hours, until tender.
5. Add the BBQ sauce: Carefully unwrap the ribs and discard any juices. Use a basting brush to brush with BBQ sauce all over.
6. Broil to finish: Place under the broiler for 5–7 minutes, until the sauce is sticky and caramelized. Or you can return to the oven, set the temperature to 375°F and bake for another 15 minutes.

Recipe Tips

• Remove the membrane from the ribs: The membrane can become tough when cooked. Removing the membrane also helps the seasoning soak in and makes the ribs more tender.
• Wrap tightly in foil: The key to cooking tender flavorful ribs in the oven is to wrap the ribs in foil. This traps the moisture and helps the ribs cook low and slow.
• Don’t forget to finish with bbq sauce in the oven: Do not skip the bbq sauce on the final step as it not only adds flavor but creates a sticky caramelized texture.
• Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness: The internal temperature of rubs should be 195-203°F. They are cooked to this temperature to allow them time to break down collagen in the meat so that they become tender and juicy. This is what gives them that “fall-off-the-bone texture. If you cook them any lower, they will still be tough and chewy.
• Always check on the ribs while they are cook: Checking the ribs while they are cooking allows you to see how they are progressing. Adjust the cooking time, if needed.
• Bake for a crowd: You can double the recipe to feed more. The cook time should be the same since you can probably fit multiple racks of ribs on one sheet pan.

Make Ahead and Storage

Make ahead: You can bake the ribs ahead of time, then broil just before serving.

Storage: Store leftover ribs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in foil in a 300°F oven until warmed through.

What to Serve with Baked Ribs

If you’re looking to make the best bbq feast, try a few of my other barbecue recipes to serve a crowd. Here are a few of my favorite sides.

• Cajun Butter Corn
• Cucumber Tomato & Feta Salad
• Honey Butter Cornbread
• Creamy Mac and Cheese

Make these oven-baked bbq ribs anytime of the year. You will not be disappointed!