Baby Back Ribs in the Oven

These easy Baby Back Ribs in the Oven are baked low and slow (275 degrees). They are so tender, juicy, and fall off the bone. No smoker or grill needed! Finish them with your favorite BBQ sauce and broil for a little char.

Overhead image of baby back ribs with side dishes and sauce.

These oven baked baby back ribs are the perfect solution for delicious indoor barbecue, just like my St. Louis Style Ribs in the Oven or my Easy Dutch Oven Pulled Pork Recipe.

You will also love my Beef Kabobs in the Oven.

Looking for a slow cooker recipe? Try my Slow Cooker Ribs with Dr. Pepper.

If you want to deviate from classic barbecue flavors, try my Glazed Sticky Asian Pork Ribs instead.

If you are just looking for a rub recipe, try my Best Dry Rub for Ribs Recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

No smoker or grill needed – The ribs are baked in the oven low and slow at 275 degrees and finished under the broiler to create the perfect caramelized exterior.
Fall off the bone – They are so tender and fall apart.
Juicy – The basting liquid not only adds flavor, but it also adds moisture.
Sweet and tangy – The brown sugar and honey add a touch of sweetness that contrasts the acidic vinegar and ground mustard.
Smoky – Since this recipe does not use a smoker, the smoked paprika is crucial to create that traditional barbecue flavor. Charring them under the broiler also adds some smoky notes.
Not spicy – The chili powder adds flavor but not much spice. These are extremely mild.
Simple – This recipe does not require any specialty ingredients or bbq rubs. You likely have most of these ingredients on hand.
Easy – This recipe takes some time but it is mostly hands off.

Ingredients & Substitutions

An overhead image of ingredients needed to make baby back ribs in oven.

Smoked Paprika: Be sure to use smoked paprika and NOT regular paprika. Smoked paprika has a lot more flavor and adds smoky notes to the pork.
Kosher Salt: All of my recipes are tested with Morton kosher salt unless noted otherwise. It is the best salt for everyday cooking because of its size and flavor. If using table salt, the amount should be reduced. I highly recommend picking up some kosher next time you are at the store!
Barbecue Sauce: Use your favorite store-bought barbecue sauce. I like to mix in some of the drippings. I like to use locally made sauces made here in Texas. Sweet baby rays is a great option that is available in most stores.

Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.

How to Make Baby Back Ribs in the Oven

Quick Overview

Prep ribs.
Rub with the dry rub.
Wrap with foil.
Bake and baste.
Unwrap and broil.

Step by Step Instructions

A 4 photo collage showing the assembly of baby back ribs.

Be sure to coat the racks with the dry rub on all sides.

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 275 degrees. Using a paring knife, remove the silver skin or membrane on the bottom of the racks. The knife should help loosen it and then you should be able to pull it off with your fingers. Cut into 4 portions.

Step 2: Mix together the paprika, chili powder, brown sugar, garlic, onion powder, mustard, salt, and pepper. Rub the spice mixture all over the ribs, coating them completely.

Step 3: Wrap each portion tightly in heavy duty aluminum foil and place on a large baking sheet. Bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Step 4: While the ribs bake, mix together the apple cider vinegar and honey. Set aside for basting.

A 4 photo collage showing the final assembly of baby back ribs.

Broil for extra flavor.

Step 5: After the ribs have baked for 1.5 hours, unwrap just enough to expose the top of the ribs. Baste with about half of the vinegar mixture.

Step 6: Rewrap and bake for another 45 minutes. Unwrap again and baste with the remaining liquid.

Step 7: Rewrap and bake for a final 45 minutes. Unwrap completely and brush with barbecue sauce.

Step 8: Broil for about 5 minutes or until caramelized, watching very closely so they do not burn. Serve with more barbecue sauce and drippings.

Recipe Serving Suggestions

These baked baby back ribs are delicious served with any of these side dishes:

The Best Fried Cabbage with Onions
Cheesy Air Fryer Scalloped Potatoes
Moist Cornbread without Buttermilk
Caesar Salad without Anchovies or Egg
Your favorite pasta tossed with Simple Homemade Mac and Cheese Sauce
Learn How To Cook a Baked Potato in the Oven (super crispy)

If you have any leftover rib meat, try any of these yummy Leftover Rib Recipes.

Expert Tips & Variations

Wrap tightly. This is going to help the fat render and make the ribs super tender.
Bake low and slow. If you are short on time, you can’t increase the oven temperature and reduce the time. The ribs will not cook properly and will be tough. The ribs need to reach an internal temperature of 195-200 degrees for the collagen to completely break down and for them to fall off the bone.
Baste. The combination of the vinegar and honey adds a sweet and tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with the pork. It also ensures the ribs stay super moist. I do not recommend skipping this step.
Broil. This will caramelize the sugars in the barbecue sauce and create a beautiful crust. It also has some char which is reminiscent of the flavor you would get on the grill.

Up close image of a baby back rib with garnish.

Recipe FAQs

How long does it take to cook baby back ribs in the oven?

It takes about 3 hours at 275 degrees.

What temperature do you cook baby back ribs in the oven?

I recommend 275 degrees. Higher temperatures result in tough and dry meat.

Should baby back ribs be covered when baking?

Yes. Wrap them in foil. This will help insulate them and ensure they stay moist and tender.

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