Oven Baked Baby Back Ribs

For lovers of succulent, fall-off-the-bone ribs this Oven Baked Baby Back Ribs recipe is for you. This is an easy and simple method for achieving the prized BBQ flavor without the need for a grill or smoker. The dish is seasoned with a homemade dry rub and cooked low and slow until the meat glides from the bone.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Weather Constraints: Not everyone has access to a grill or smoker, especially in colder or unfavorable weather conditions. The oven provides a convenient indoor option for cooking ribs year-round.
• Ease and Convenience: Oven-cooking ribs can be more straightforward and less hands-on compared to grilling or smoking. It's a set-it-and-forget-it method where the ribs can be cooked low and slow without constant monitoring.
• Consistent Results: Ovens offer precise temperature control, ensuring even cooking throughout the ribs. This consistency can result in perfectly tender and juicy meat every time.
• Tender Meat: Slow cooking in the oven helps break down the collagen in the ribs, resulting in a tender texture that's highly desirable.
• Less Cleanup: This method can be less messy than grilling, as there's no open flame or charcoal involved. Cleanup tends to be simpler.

What Type of Ribs to Use

There are several types you can use:

• Baby Back: Come from the upper part of the pig's ribcage, closer to the backbone. They are shorter in length compared to spare ribs and are curved, with meat between the bones.
• Spare: Come from the lower part of the ribcage, closer to the belly. They are longer and flatter than baby back ribs, with more bone and meat.
• St. Louis Style: These are spare ribs that have been trimmed to a more rectangular shape, removing the sternum bone, cartilage, and excess flap meat.

I'm using baby back in this recipe. They got the name because they are shorter than spare ribs and are closer to the backbone, where the muscles are leaner and more tender. They are also known for being more curved than spare ribs and typically have less meat compared to spare ribs but are considered more tender and flavorful.

Dry Rub or Marinade

Dry rubs consist of a mixture of dry ingredients such as spices, herbs, sugars, salt, and sometimes dried powders. They don't contain liquid components. The rub is applied directly to the surface of the meat and is meant to create a flavorful crust or coating. They adhere to the meat, forming a seasoning layer that can enhance flavor and create texture during cooking.

Marinades are liquid-based mixtures made with various ingredients like oil, vinegar, citrus juice, wine, herbs, spices, and sometimes sweeteners like honey or sugar. Marinades are used to flavor and tenderize meat by soaking it in the liquid mixture for an extended period, usually several hours to overnight.

I like to use only a dry rub in this recipe because you can achieve tender fall-off-the-bone-ribs in the oven. I use my Dry Rub For Ribs Recipe. The choice to use a rub or marinade is a matter of preference. If you want to use a liquid marinade you can use apple cider vinegar and/or soy sauce (enough to coat the ribs) marinate the ribs in the fridge overnight.

Remove the Membrane From the Back of the Ribs

The membrane can become tough and chewy when cooked, affecting the overall texture of the ribs. Removing it allows for even and consistent cooking which results in more tender meat. This also allows spices, rubs, marinades, or sauces to penetrate the meat more effectively, enhancing flavor throughout the ribs.

Here's how you remove it:

1. Locate the Membrane: Turn the rib rack over so the bone side is facing up. The membrane appears as a thin, shiny layer covering the bones.
2. Loosen the Membrane: Using a knife, your fingers, or a paper towel for grip, start at one end of the rack and slide the knife or your fingers under the membrane, separating it from the bones.
3. Lift and Pull: Once you have a good grip on the membrane, lift it gently to separate it from the bones. You can use a paper towel for better grip if it's slippery.
4. Pull Across the Rack: Continue pulling the membrane across the entire rack of ribs. It might come off in one piece or multiple pieces, depending on how well it separates from the meat.

How to Make Oven-Baked Baby Back Ribs

Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

1. Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs.
2. Season both sides with the homemade rub.
3. Wrap in foil and bake.

Foil

Foil helps trap steam and moisture, preventing the ribs from drying out during the baking process. This helps the ribs cook in their juices, keeping them tender and flavorful. It also creates a sealed environment that promotes even cooking. It helps distribute heat evenly around the ribs, ensuring they cook uniformly.

Temperature

Bake the ribs at 250 degrees. Baking ribs at a low temperature break down the collagen and connective tissues in the meat gradually over time. This low and slow cooking method allows the ribs to become tender without drying out.

Cook Time/How Long to Smoke

The exact cooking time can vary based on the thickness of the ribs and your desired level of tenderness. You should typically plan for about 2 ½ to 3 hours, maybe even a little more if you like really tender ribs that fall off the bone.

How to Tell When They Are Done and Achieve Fall-Off-The-Bone-Ribs

• The meat should have pulled back from the ends of the bones, revealing a bit more of the bone. The surface should also have a nice caramelized color or slight crust.
• Use a fork or tongs to gently lift the ribs from one end. They should bend easily and the meat should start to separate from the bone.
• The ribs have to reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees to be safe to eat. But, for tender ribs, the internal temperature should land around 190-205 degrees. To get them to fall off the bone I usually have to cook them until they reach a temp over 200 degrees.

Resting

Once the ribs are done cooking, remove them from the oven and loosely cover them with the foil. This helps retain heat while allowing steam to escape, preventing the ribs from becoming soggy. Let them rest for 15-20 minutes. The resting time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the ribs.

If you slice into the ribs too soon, this will cause the juices to escape, leading to drier meat.

How to Store

Leftovers can be stored tightly covered and sealed for 3-4 days in the fridge.

How to Reheat

The best methods are in the oven (250 degrees until warm), on the grill, or in the air fryer (250 degrees).

Freezer Tips

You can freeze leftover ribs tightly covered and sealed for 4-5 months for optimal freshness. Defrost in the fridge overnight.

Pair With These Recipes

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Vinegar Coleslaw
Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Cheese
Smoked Mac and Cheese
Southern Baked Beans
Southern Coleslaw
Southern Potato Salad
Southern Soul Food Baked Mac and Cheese
Easy Spaghetti Salad
Southern Macaroni Salad

More BBQ and Ribs Recipes

Braised Beef Short Ribs
Country Style Ribs
Traeger Smoked Ribs
How to Grill Ribs on Charcoal or Gas Grill
Slow Cooker Crockpot Ribs
Air Fryer Ribs
BBQ Chicken Drumsticks and Thighs