Here’s a BBQ Baby Back Ribs recipe that’s tender, flavorful, and very reliable—even if you don’t have a grill. I’ll give you the oven method (never fails) with an optional grill finish.
🍖 BBQ Baby Back Ribs (Fall-Off-the-Bone)
Ingredients (Serves 3–4)
Ribs
- 2 racks baby back ribs
- Salt & pepper
Dry Rub
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
BBQ Finish
- ¾–1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite)
Optional: aluminum foil, parchment paper
Instructions
1. Prep the Ribs
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Remove the thin membrane from the back of the ribs (important for tenderness).
- Pat ribs dry and season lightly with salt and pepper.
2. Apply the Rub
- Mix all dry rub ingredients.
- Rub generously over both sides of the ribs.
3. Slow Bake (Key Step)
- Place ribs meat-side down on foil-lined baking sheet.
- Cover tightly with foil (this traps steam and makes them tender).
- Bake for 2½ to 3 hours, until the meat is very tender and pulling away from the bones.
4. Sauce & Caramelize
- Remove ribs from oven and uncover.
- Brush generously with BBQ sauce.
- Increase oven temp to 425°F (220°C).
- Bake uncovered for 10–15 minutes, until sauce is sticky and caramelized.
5. Rest & Serve
- Let ribs rest 5–10 minutes.
- Slice between bones and serve warm.
🔥 Optional Grill Finish
After baking:
- Grill ribs over medium heat 3–5 minutes per side, brushing with extra BBQ sauce for smoky flavor.
⭐ Pro Tips
- Low and slow = tender ribs. Don’t rush this step.
- If ribs brown too fast, loosely tent with foil.
- For extra juiciness, add 2–3 tbsp apple juice or water inside the foil while baking.
Variations
- Honey BBQ: brush with BBQ sauce mixed with 1–2 tbsp honey
- Spicy: add cayenne or chili powder to the rub
- Sweet & smoky: add a pinch of smoked paprika
If you want, I can also give you a 30-minute pressure cooker version, or a dry-rub ribs recipe with no sauce.
