Oven-Baked Baby Back Ribs

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet or tray with foil or parchment paper.
2. Remove the tough membrane from the underside of the ribs. Place ribs on the prepared tray.
3. In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, cumin, and optional chili or cayenne. Sprinkle seasoning evenly over both sides of the ribs. Drizzle with olive oil and rub in to coat thoroughly.
4. Cover tray with foil and bake ribs in preheated oven for 2 hours.
5. While ribs are baking, prepare the barbecue sauce by mixing together barbecue sauce, minced garlic, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, optional cayenne, and salt. Set aside.
6. After 2 hours, remove ribs from oven and uncover. Spread the barbecue sauce over the top of the ribs.
7. Increase oven temperature to 460°F (240°C) and bake uncovered for 10 more minutes.
8. Switch to broil (or grill) on medium-high heat for 2–3 minutes to caramelize the edges and get a light char. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
9. Let ribs rest for 10 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
• Servings: 6–8
• Difficulty: Medium

Variations & Substitutions

• Add smoked paprika or liquid smoke for a smoky flavor without a grill.
• Use a spicy barbecue sauce to kick up the heat.
• Try honey or brown sugar in the sauce for a sweeter glaze.
• Substitute baby back ribs with spare ribs or St. Louis-style ribs if preferred.

Serving Suggestions