Description
These sticky oven barbecue ribs are perfectly tender and packed with flavor. Slow-cooked in the oven and glazed with a homemade barbecue sauce, they have the perfect balance of sweetness and smokiness. No grill needed! Ideal for family dinners, weekend gatherings, or any time you’re craving fall-off-the-bone goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Ribs:
- 2 racks baby back ribs (about 2–3 lbs total)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
For the Barbecue Sauce:
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ribs:
- Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs. Pat the ribs dry with paper towels.
- Rub the ribs with olive oil. In a small bowl, mix together garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper (if using). Rub this seasoning mixture evenly on both sides of the ribs.
- Prepare the Barbecue Sauce:
- In a saucepan, combine all the barbecue sauce ingredients: ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, and cayenne (if using).
- Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Let it cook for 10-15 minutes, or until it thickens slightly. Remove from heat.
- Cook the Ribs:
- Place the ribs on a baking sheet lined with foil. Cover the ribs with another piece of foil to keep them moist.
- Bake the ribs in the preheated oven for 2.5–3 hours, or until the meat is tender and pulls away from the bone.
- Glaze the Ribs:
- Remove the ribs from the oven and discard the top layer of foil.
- Brush a generous amount of the homemade barbecue sauce over the ribs. Return the ribs to the oven and bake, uncovered, for an additional 15-20 minutes, basting with more sauce halfway through.
- Serve:
- Remove the ribs from the oven, let them rest for a few minutes, then slice between the bones.
- Serve with extra barbecue sauce on the side and enjoy!
Notes
- For even more flavor, marinate the ribs in the seasoning mixture for a few hours or overnight before cooking.
- You can adjust the sweetness or spice level of the barbecue sauce to suit your taste.
- If you prefer a smokier flavor, you can add a few drops of liquid smoke to the barbecue sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2.5–3 hours (baking) + 20 minutes (sauce glazing)
- Category: Main Course, Dinner
- Method: Baking, Roasting
- Cuisine: American, BBQ