Slow-baked in the oven and finished with sticky BBQ sauce, these ribs come out fall-off-the-bone tender with deep smoky flavor—no grill needed.
Ingredients:
3–4 lbs pork ribs (baby back or spare ribs)
1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite)
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon chili powder (optional, for heat)
1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
½ cup water (for the pan)
Instructions:
- Prepare the ribs
Remove the thin membrane from the back of the ribs if present. Pat ribs dry with paper towels. - Make the dry rub
In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and chili powder. - Season
Rub ribs all over with olive oil or melted butter. Coat generously with the spice mix, pressing it into the meat. - Wrap and bake low & slow
Preheat oven to 150°C (300°F).
Place ribs on a baking tray or roasting pan. Add ½ cup water to the pan.
Cover tightly with aluminum foil.
Bake for 2½ to 3 hours until ribs are very tender. - Sauce the ribs
Remove ribs from oven and carefully uncover.
Brush generously with BBQ sauce on both sides. - Caramelize
Increase oven temperature to 220°C (425°F).
Return ribs to oven uncovered and bake 10–15 minutes, until sauce is sticky and slightly charred. - Rest and serve
Let ribs rest 10 minutes before cutting.
Slice and serve with extra BBQ sauce on the side.
Serving ideas:
Serve with coleslaw, roasted potatoes, corn on the cob, or garlic bread.
Warm, sticky, and full of flavor—these oven baked BBQ ribs taste like they came straight from a grill.