# Oven Baked BBQ Ribs

Oven baked BBQ ribs are rubbed with a sweet and smoky spice mix, wrapped in foil and cooked low and slow until the meat is tender and pulls cleanly from the bone. A last blast of heat with barbecue sauce makes them sticky and glazed.

You do not need a grill or smoker. The oven does the work, and a good rub does the rest.

- Total time: 3 h 30 min (prep 15 min, cook 3 h 15 min)
- Serves: 4
- Per serving (estimated): 720 kcal, 42 g protein
- Cuisine: American. Category: Main course. Diet: dairy-free, gluten-free, high-protein.

## Ingredients

- 2 racks baby back ribs (about 1.8 kg)
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dry mustard
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 cup barbecue sauce (240 ml)
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

## Method

1. Heat the oven to 275°F (135°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil for easier cleanup.
2. Flip the ribs bone side up. Slide a butter knife under the thin membrane at one end, grab it with a paper towel, and pull it off in one piece.
3. Mix the brown sugar, paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, mustard and cayenne. Rub it all over both sides of the ribs, pressing it in.
4. Wrap each rack tightly in a large sheet of foil, meaty side up, sealing the edges. Set them on the baking sheet.
5. Bake 2 1/2 hours, until the meat has pulled back about 1/4 inch (6 mm) from the ends of the bones and a toothpick slides in with little resistance.
6. Carefully open the foil; steam will escape. Mix the barbecue sauce and vinegar and brush half over the ribs. Re-fold the foil loosely.
7. Heat the oven to 425°F (220°C), or switch to broil. Cook the ribs unwrapped, sauced side up, for 10 to 12 minutes, brushing on the rest of the sauce halfway, until glossy and caramelized at the edges. Rest 10 minutes, then cut between the bones.

## Why it works

- Removing the membrane lets the rub flavor the meat directly and prevents a tough, leathery layer.
- Wrapping tightly in foil traps steam, so the ribs braise in their own juices and the collagen turns to gelatin.
- Low heat at 275°F (135°C) cooks the ribs slowly enough to melt connective tissue without drying out the meat.
- Saucing at the end instead of the beginning prevents the sugar from burning during the long cook.
- A final blast of high heat sets the sauce into a sticky glaze.

## The science

- **Why foil wraps help.** Foil creates a sealed, steamy environment, so the ribs cook in moist heat. That melts collagen into gelatin faster and keeps surface moisture from evaporating. This is why wrapped ribs end up very tender, though with less crust than smoked ribs.
- **Don't sauce too early.** Barbecue sauce is rich in sugar, which scorches at about 350°F (175°C) when left for a long time. Adding it in the last 10 to 15 minutes caramelizes the sugar into a glaze without burning it.

## Tips

- Take the ribs out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking so they cook more evenly.
- Test doneness by lifting the rack with tongs; it should bend and the meat should crack on the surface.
- Save the juices in the foil to stir into the barbecue sauce.

## Mistakes to avoid

- Leaving the membrane on, which makes the underside tough and chewy; pull it off.
- Cooking at too high a heat, which makes the meat dry and chewy; keep it low and slow.
- Saucing at the start, which burns the sugar; add sauce only at the end.

## Variations and swaps

- Use a Kansas City style sauce with molasses and tomato, or a vinegar-based Carolina sauce.
- Add a few drops of liquid smoke to the barbecue sauce for a smokier flavor.
- Finish the ribs on a hot grill for 2 minutes per side for char.
- Swap baby back ribs for spare ribs, and add 30 to 45 minutes to the first cook.
- Swap brown sugar for maple sugar or coconut sugar.
- Swap barbecue sauce for hot honey and a little butter for a different glaze.

## Storage

Refrigerate ribs within 2 hours and eat within 3 to 4 days. Reheat wrapped in foil at 300°F (150°C) for 20 minutes until steaming, at least 165°F (74°C).

## FAQ

**How long do you bake ribs at 275°F?**

Baby back ribs take about 2 1/2 hours wrapped at 275°F (135°C), plus 10 to 15 minutes at the end for the sauce. Spare ribs need about 3 1/2 hours.

**Should I wrap ribs in foil?**

Wrapping makes ribs very tender and prevents drying. If you prefer a firmer, chewier bark, bake them uncovered, but expect to add about an hour.

**Do I need to remove the membrane from ribs?**

Yes, it is best to. The membrane is tough, blocks the rub and can feel rubbery. Slide a knife under one corner and pull it off with a paper towel.

**How do I know when ribs are done?**

The meat pulls back from the bones, a toothpick slides in easily, and the rack bends when lifted with tongs. The internal temperature will be about 195 to 203°F (90 to 95°C).

**What internal temperature is safe for pork ribs?**

The USDA minimum is 145°F (63°C), but ribs are tough at that point. They become tender at around 195°F (90°C) or higher, when the collagen has melted.

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Source: https://cookingscientist.com/recipes/oven-baked-bbq-ribs (Cooking Scientist). Learn the science of cooking in the Cooking Scientist app for iPhone and iPad: https://apps.apple.com/app/id6830326846