Are you craving fall-off-the-bone tender baby back ribs, but don’t have access to a grill or smoker?
Fear not, because cooking them in the oven is just as delicious and easy! With a few simple steps and some patience, you can achieve perfectly cooked pork baby back ribs that will have your taste buds singing.
In this article, we’ll go over the best techniques and tips for cooking ribs in the oven, so you can enjoy this classic barbecue dish any time of year.
So grab your apron and let’s get cooking!
How To Cook Pork Baby Back Ribs In The Oven?
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 275°F and prepare your ribs
Before you start cooking, preheat your oven to 275°F. While the oven is heating up, prepare your ribs by removing the thin outer membrane on the back of the ribs. This can be done by loosening it with a butter knife and pulling it off. Discard the membrane.
Step 2: Season your ribs
In a bowl, mix together salt, brown sugar, smoked paprika, pepper, garlic powder, and dry mustard. Brush your ribs evenly with oil and sprinkle the spice mixture on top, patting it gently to ensure it adheres to the meat.
Step 3: Wrap your ribs in foil and bake
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack inside. Wrap each slab of ribs with heavy-duty aluminum foil and place them on the prepared wire rack. Bake in the preheated oven for 2.5 to 3 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 190-205°F.
Step 4: Remove foil and add barbecue sauce
Remove the ribs from the oven and discard the foil and drippings. Place the ribs directly on the wire rack and brush 1/2 cup of barbecue sauce on top of each slab. Return to the oven and bake at 275°F until the ribs are tender and meat is pulling away from bones, for about 45 minutes to an hour.
Step 5: Broil your ribs
Remove from oven and brush slabs evenly with remaining barbecue sauce. Increase oven temperature to broil, and return ribs to middle rack. Broil until sauce bubbles and starts to caramelize, for about 3 to 5 minutes.
Step 6: Rest and serve
Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious fall-off-the-bone pork baby back ribs!
Choosing The Right Ribs
When choosing pork baby back ribs for oven cooking, it’s important to look for meat that is moist and has a good amount of marbling. The marbling will help keep the meat tender and juicy during the long cooking process. You can also ask your butcher for advice on the best type of ribs for oven cooking.
It’s also important to look for ribs that are not too lean, as leaner cuts can dry out easily during cooking. Baby back ribs tend to be leaner than spare ribs, so it’s important to monitor the internal temperature carefully to avoid overcooking.
When selecting ribs, make sure they are fresh and have not been frozen for an extended period of time. Frozen meat can lose its texture and flavor, which can affect the final result of your cooked ribs.
Preparing The Ribs For Cooking
Before cooking your pork baby back ribs in the oven, it’s important to prepare them properly. The first step is to remove the thin outer membrane on the back of the ribs. This can be done by loosening it with a butter knife and pulling it off. Discard the membrane.
Next, it’s time to season your ribs. In a bowl, mix together salt, brown sugar, smoked paprika, pepper, garlic powder, and dry mustard. Brush your ribs evenly with oil and sprinkle the spice mixture on top, patting it gently to ensure it adheres to the meat.
Once seasoned, wrap each slab of ribs with heavy-duty aluminum foil and place them on a wire rack inside a lined baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 275°F for 2.5 to 3 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 190-205°F.
After baking, remove the foil and drippings from the ribs and brush 1/2 cup of barbecue sauce on top of each slab. Return to the oven and bake at 275°F until the ribs are tender and meat is pulling away from bones for about 45 minutes to an hour.
Finally, remove from oven and brush slabs evenly with remaining barbecue sauce. Increase oven temperature to broil, and return ribs to middle rack. Broil until sauce bubbles and starts to caramelize for about 3 to 5 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Seasoning The Ribs
The key to flavorful and tender ribs is seasoning them well before cooking. To make a dry rub for your ribs, mix together salt, brown sugar, smoked paprika, pepper, garlic powder, and dry mustard in a bowl. Brush your ribs with oil and sprinkle the spice mixture on top, patting it gently to ensure it adheres to the meat. You can also experiment with different combinations of herbs and spices to suit your taste.
After seasoning your ribs, wrap them in heavy-duty aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 2.5 to 3 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 190-205°F. Once the ribs are cooked through, remove the foil and discard the drippings. Brush barbecue sauce on top of each slab and return to the oven for an additional 45 minutes to an hour until the meat is pulling away from the bones.
For an extra caramelized finish, broil your ribs in the oven until the sauce bubbles and starts to caramelize. Finally, let your ribs rest for 5 minutes before serving. With a well-seasoned dry rub and a little patience, you can achieve perfectly cooked and delicious pork baby back ribs in your oven.
Cooking The Ribs In The Oven
Cooking pork baby back ribs in the oven is a great alternative to grilling, especially during the colder months or if you don’t have access to a grill. Here’s how to do it:
Start by preheating your oven to 275°F. While the oven is heating up, prepare your ribs by removing the thin outer membrane on the back of the ribs. This can be done by loosening it with a butter knife and pulling it off. Discard the membrane.
In a bowl, mix together salt, brown sugar, smoked paprika, pepper, garlic powder, and dry mustard. Brush your ribs evenly with oil and sprinkle the spice mixture on top, patting it gently to ensure it adheres to the meat.
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack inside. Wrap each slab of ribs with heavy-duty aluminum foil and place them on the prepared wire rack. Bake in the preheated oven for 2.5 to 3 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 190-205°F.
Remove the ribs from the oven and discard the foil and drippings. Place the ribs directly on the wire rack and brush 1/2 cup of barbecue sauce on top of each slab. Return to the oven and bake at 275°F until the ribs are tender and meat is pulling away from bones, for about 45 minutes to an hour.
Remove from oven and brush slabs evenly with remaining barbecue sauce. Increase oven temperature to broil, and return ribs to middle rack. Broil until sauce bubbles and starts to caramelize, for about 3 to 5 minutes.
Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious fall-off-the-bone pork baby back ribs! By following these steps, you can make tender, flavorful ribs in the comfort of your own kitchen without having to worry about grilling outside.
Adding Sauce (Optional)
If you want to add an extra layer of flavor to your pork baby back ribs, you can add barbecue sauce during the cooking process. Once you have removed the ribs from the oven and discarded the foil and drippings, brush 1/2 cup of barbecue sauce on top of each slab. Return to the oven and bake at 275°F until the ribs are tender and meat is pulling away from bones, for about 45 minutes to an hour.
If you prefer a charred exterior, you can finish the ribs on the grill or under the broiler. To finish on the grill, remove the ribs from the pan and place them directly on the grill grates. Baste and turn them a few times for about 10 minutes until they are charred to your liking. To finish under the broiler, uncover the ribs from the foil and coat them fully (both sides) with additional BBQ sauce. Turn the broiler on high and ensure the ribs are 5-6 inches from the heat source. Broil for 1-3 minutes per side or until ribs reach desired charred exterior. Brush ribs with additional BBQ sauce before serving if desired.
Remember, adding barbecue sauce is optional and depends on your personal preference. If you want to skip this step, simply follow steps 1-3 above and enjoy your delicious fall-off-the-bone pork baby back ribs as is!
Serving And Enjoying Your Delicious Ribs
Now that your pork baby back ribs are perfectly cooked and ready to serve, it’s time to think about how to enjoy them. Ribs are a classic finger food, so be sure to have plenty of napkins on hand. You can serve them as the main course or as part of a larger spread.
When serving ribs, it’s important to have some side dishes to balance out the flavors. Some classic sides that pair well with ribs include baked beans, coleslaw, cornbread, and potato salad. You can also try something a little different, like roasted vegetables or grilled peaches.
When it comes to drinks, beer is a classic choice for pairing with ribs. A cold, refreshing beer can help cut through the richness of the meat and complement the smoky flavor. If you prefer wine, a full-bodied red like Zinfandel or Syrah can also be a good choice.
Once you’ve served up your ribs and sides, it’s time to dig in! Use your hands or a fork and knife to pull the meat off the bones. Don’t be afraid to get messy – that’s part of the fun of eating ribs. Enjoy the juicy, tender meat and savor the smoky flavor.
With these tips, you’re sure to impress your guests with deliciously cooked pork baby back ribs and perfectly paired sides. Enjoy!