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Kick your BBQ skills up a notch with OVEN BAKED RIBS! These dry rubbed ribs are one of our favorite easy dinner, SO MUCH FLAVOR!
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4.62 from 62 votes

Oven Baked Ribs Recipe

These Oven Baked Ribs are the perfect rainy day meal. So moist, tender, and delicious!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time3 hours
Rest Time15 minutes
Total Time3 hours 25 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8
Author: Becky Hardin

Equipment

  • Baking Sheet

Ingredients

For the Ribs

  • 4 pounds baby back ribs or spare ribs, cook time will vary
  • ¼ cup Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon liquid smoke optional or use smoked paprika
  • ½ cup spice rub (see recipe below)
  • ½ cup barbecue sauce store-bought (Blues Hog recommended) or homemade

For the Spice Rub

  • ½ cup dark brown sugar
  • teaspoons ground smoked paprika or sweet paprika
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic -- not garlic salt!
  • 1 teaspoon granulated onion -- not onion salt!
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon ground ancho pepper or chipotle pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground mustard
  • ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

Instructions

  • Line a baking sheet with double layers of aluminum foil and set a cooling rack inside the pan. The rack allows for heat to circulate evenly on all sides of the ribs. Place the ribs on the rack.
    4 pounds baby back ribs
    ribs on a cooking rack
  • In a large bowl, combine all dry rub ingredients and whisk well until all ingredients are completely incorporated.
    ½ cup dark brown sugar, 1½ teaspoons ground smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon granulated garlic, 1 teaspoon granulated onion, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon ground ancho pepper, 1 teaspoon ground mustard, ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
    seasoning mix for ribs
  • In a small bowl, mix the mustard and the liquid smoke. Brush a thin layer of the mustard/liquid smoke mixture over both sides of the ribs. Sprinkle the dry rub over the mustard and pat it gently so the rub will adhere to the meat. If desired, the seasoned meat can sit overnight in the fridge, just be sure to cover the pan tightly with foil.
    ¼ cup Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon liquid smoke, ½ cup spice rub
    ribs coated with mustard and liquid smoke.
  • When ready to cook the ribs, set the oven to broil and place the pan on the top rack of the oven. Broil the ribs (watching closely) for 4-5 minutes or until the dry rub sugar is bubbling and ribs are browned.
    Broiled ribs.
  • Remove the ribs from the oven and set the oven to 300°F. Move the oven rack to the middle position of the oven (wear oven mitts!). Once the oven has heated to 300°F, place the pan of ribs (uncovered) in the oven. If cooking Baby Back Ribs, roast the ribs for 1½-2 hours. If cooking Spare Ribs, roast for 2½-3 hours. Halfway through cooking, cover the ribs with aluminum foil to keep them from getting dry.
  • After the ribs have cooked with only 30 minutes left, brush the ribs lightly with barbecue sauce. Cover with foil and cook until the ribs are fork-tender when tested in the thickest part of the ribs.
    ½ cup barbecue sauce
    ribs being brushed with barbeque sauce.
  • Allow the ribs to rest, covered for 15 minutes.
    ribs covered with aluminum foil resting.
  • To serve, cut between the bones to separate into individual ribs. Serve with extra barbecue sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.
    cooked bones ready to serve.

Video

Notes

Note: We have updated the spice rub volume to better reflect the amount needed for one recipe without any leftovers. 
  • Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs for better tenderness. Pat the ribs dry with a paper towel before applying the seasonings.
  • Brush the ribs with more barbecue sauce in the last 15-20 minutes of cooking to create a sticky glaze, if desired.
  • Properly cooked ribs should have an internal temperature of 190-200°F. The meat should be tender and easily pull away from the bone. 

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5pound | Calories: 429kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 99mg | Sodium: 693mg | Potassium: 488mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 515IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 117mg | Iron: 3mg