How to Bake Ribs: Easy Fall-Off-The-Bone Oven Recipe

Craving tender, mouthwatering ribs that practically fall off the bone? You’re in the right place! Baking ribs in the oven is the foolproof method to achieve rib perfection every single time. This recipe will guide you through the simple steps to create incredibly delicious oven-baked ribs with minimal effort. Forget complicated techniques – with a little time and the right temperature, you can transform ordinary ribs into a BBQ feast right in your kitchen.

My family absolutely adores this oven-baked ribs recipe, and it’s become a go-to for weekend dinners and gatherings. The magic lies in the low and slow baking process, which allows the ribs to become unbelievably tender while you relax. This method consistently delivers ribs that are juicy, flavorful, and require barely any effort on your part.

Baking ribs at 275°F (135°C) for a few hours is the secret. This low temperature and long cooking time renders the fat and breaks down the connective tissues, resulting in that coveted fall-off-the-bone texture. I use this same technique even when I’m making my Asian sticky ribs, proving its versatility and reliability for tender rib results across different flavor profiles.

Key Ingredients for Perfect Oven Baked Ribs

Let’s break down the essential ingredients you’ll need to bake ribs that are bursting with flavor and tenderness:

Pork Ribs: For this recipe, I recommend baby back ribs due to their tenderness and lean meat. However, don’t feel limited! You can also use spare ribs, St. Louis-style ribs, or even country-style ribs. The cooking time should remain quite similar across these different cuts, but it’s always wise to keep an eye on them as they bake to ensure they reach that perfect tenderness. Experiment and find your favorite!
Simple Seasoning: Sometimes, less is more. For these oven-baked ribs, a generous seasoning of salt and freshly ground black pepper is often all you truly need to highlight the natural pork flavor. However, if you love a bit more complexity, feel free to incorporate your favorite BBQ spice rub or even a seasoned salt blend. A simple blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and a touch of cayenne pepper can also work wonders.
BBQ Sauce: The BBQ sauce is where you can truly customize the flavor of your ribs. I personally love to make my own sweet and spicy BBQ sauce from scratch (recipe provided below!), but high-quality store-bought BBQ sauce will work just as well to save time. Choose a sauce that you genuinely enjoy – whether it’s smoky, sweet, tangy, or spicy. Remember, the sauce is the finishing touch that adds that classic BBQ flavor we all crave. If you are looking for inspiration, consider a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce or explore other flavor profiles to match your taste preferences.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Cook Ribs in the Oven

Learning How To Bake Ribs in the oven is surprisingly straightforward. Inspired by a method from Steamy Kitchen, this oven-baked ribs technique is incredibly easy and relies primarily on time and low temperature to do the hard work for you. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to ensure your ribs turn out perfect every time:

Prepare the Ribs: Remove the Membrane: For the most tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs, removing the thin membrane located on the bone-side of the rack is highly recommended. This membrane can become tough and chewy during cooking, preventing that melt-in-your-mouth texture we’re aiming for.

Your butcher might have already removed this membrane for you, so check first. If it’s still there, here’s how to remove it yourself:
- Place the ribs bone-side up on a cutting board.
- Slide the tip of a butter knife under the membrane at one end of the rack, working it gently to loosen a section.
- Once you’ve lifted a section, use your fingers to grip the membrane and pull it away from the bones.
- If the membrane is slippery, using a paper towel or clean kitchen towel can help you get a better grip.
- Pull the membrane off in one piece if possible.
Season the Ribs Generously: Once the membrane is removed (or if it was already removed), it’s time to season your ribs. Generously sprinkle both sides of the ribs with salt and pepper. Don’t be shy with the seasoning – this is your primary opportunity to infuse flavor into the meat before baking. If you’re using a BBQ spice rub, massage it evenly onto all surfaces of the ribs.
Wrap the Ribs in Foil: Tightly wrap the seasoned ribs in heavy-duty aluminum foil. This step is crucial for steaming the ribs in their own juices, which contributes significantly to their tenderness. Ensure the foil is sealed tightly to trap the moisture inside. If your foil isn’t wide enough to wrap the entire rack, use two pieces and crimp the edges together securely.
Bake Low and Slow: Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C). Place the foil-wrapped ribs in a large roasting pan or on a baking sheet. Bake for 2 ½ to 3 ½ hours, or until the ribs are incredibly tender. The exact baking time can vary depending on the thickness of your ribs, so it’s best to check for tenderness after 2 ½ hours.
- Checking for Doneness: The ribs are ready when the meat is cooked through and easily pulls away from the bone. You can check for tenderness by inserting a fork or a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat. There should be very little resistance. Another way to check is to gently bend the rack of ribs – if the meat appears to be pulling away from the bones and the rack bends easily, they’re ready.
Add BBQ Sauce and Broil (or Grill): Carefully remove the baked ribs from the oven and unwrap the foil. At this stage, they will be cooked and tender, but they might not have that classic BBQ glaze yet. Generously brush both sides of the ribs with your favorite BBQ sauce.

For the final touch, you have two options to caramelize the sauce:
- Broiling: Move an oven rack to the top position and turn on the broiler to high. Broil the sauced ribs for 3 to 4 minutes, keeping a very close eye on them to prevent the sauce from burning. You want the sauce to become sticky and caramelized.
- Grilling: Alternatively, you can transfer the sauced ribs to a preheated grill over medium heat for a few minutes per side. Grilling will add a smoky flavor in addition to caramelizing the sauce.
Serve and Enjoy: Once the BBQ sauce is caramelized to your liking, remove the ribs from the oven or grill. Let them rest for a few minutes before cutting into individual portions and serving. These oven-baked ribs are guaranteed to be some of the best you’ve ever made – tender, juicy, and packed with flavor!

Storing and Reheating Baked Ribs

Lucky you if you have leftover ribs! Baked ribs are even delicious the next day.

Storing: Allow the ribs to cool down slightly before storing them. Then, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze baked ribs for up to 3 months. For freezing, I recommend double-wrapping them tightly in freezer wrap or foil to prevent freezer burn. Thaw frozen ribs overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating: To reheat, the oven is a great option to maintain tenderness. Wrap the ribs in foil and place them in a 275°F (135°C) oven for 20 to 30 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat them on a grill over medium heat, which can help to crisp them up slightly. Before serving reheated ribs, brush them with fresh BBQ sauce and broil or grill for a minute or two to caramelize the sauce again and revive their flavor.

What to Serve with Oven Baked Ribs

Oven-baked ribs are a fantastic main course that pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes. Here are some classic and delicious side dish ideas to complete your BBQ meal:

Classic BBQ Sides: You can’t go wrong with classic BBQ sides like potato salad, coleslaw, and cornbread. These are always crowd-pleasers and complement the richness of the ribs perfectly.
Potato Perfection: Crispy roasted potatoes or creamy mashed potatoes are excellent choices. For a slightly sweeter twist, consider mashed sweet potatoes.
Pasta Salads: Pasta salad is a refreshing and satisfying side. A veggie-packed pasta salad or a creamy macaroni salad both work beautifully alongside ribs.
Fresh Salads: To balance the heartiness of the ribs, serve a big, fresh salad. Simply toss your favorite salad greens with a homemade dressing. Honey mustard dressing, creamy blue cheese dressing, or homemade ranch dressing are all excellent choices.

More Pork Recipes You Might Love

If you enjoyed these oven-baked ribs and are looking for more delicious pork recipes, here are a few more to explore:

Juicy Skillet Pork Chops: For a quick and flavorful weeknight meal, try skillet pork chops.
Oven-Baked Pork Chops: Another easy and reliable method for cooking pork chops with minimal fuss.
Pork Tenderloin with Apples: Roast pork tenderloin with apples and onions for a flavorful and slightly sweet dish.
Easy Ground Pork Tacos: For a super fast and tasty meal, ground pork tacos are a great option.

These easy oven-baked ribs are truly a game-changer. With minimal effort and mostly hands-off cooking time, you can achieve restaurant-quality, fall-off-the-bone ribs right in your own oven. Gather your ingredients, follow these simple steps, and get ready to enjoy the most tender and flavorful ribs you’ve ever had!

Easy Fall Off the Bone Oven Baked Ribs Recipe

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes – 3 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes – 3 hours 50 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:

2 to 2 ½ pounds baby back pork ribs
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup finely diced onion
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon hot chili sauce (like Sriracha)
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Salt and ground pepper, to taste

Equipment:

Large roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet
Aluminum foil
Saucepan
Pastry brush (optional, for sauce)

Instructions:

Bake the Ribs:

Preheat oven to 275°F (135°C). Set aside a large roasting pan and foil.
Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs if necessary (see instructions in article).
Season both sides of ribs generously with salt and pepper.
Place ribs meat-side up in the roasting pan. Cut ribs in half if needed to fit.
Cover pan tightly with aluminum foil.
Bake for 2 ½ to 3 ½ hours, until meat is very tender. Check for doneness after 2 hours.

Make Homemade BBQ Sauce (While Ribs Bake):

Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and cook until softened, 5-8 minutes.
Stir in cumin and cook for 30 seconds.
Add ketchup, chili sauce, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar. Stir to combine, season with salt, and cook for 2 minutes. Set aside.

To Finish:

Remove ribs from oven, discard foil, and brush both sides generously with BBQ sauce.
(Optional) Broil ribs for 3-4 minutes to caramelize sauce, watching carefully to prevent burning.

Recipe Notes:

Ribs: Spare ribs, St. Louis-style, or country-style ribs can be substituted for baby back ribs. Cooking time may be similar but check for tenderness.
Membrane Removal: See detailed instructions in the article for removing the rib membrane.
Multiple Racks: Wrap each rack tightly in foil for even cooking if baking multiple racks.
Ketchup: Use thicker ketchup varieties without high fructose corn syrup for best BBQ sauce results.

Nutrition Information (per serving, estimated):