There’s Something Special About Our Baked Pork Ribs Recipe
There’s nothing better than picking up a delicious, glistening BBQ pork rib and biting right into it. We love the unspoken agreement between everyone at the table when baked pork ribs are being served- it’s okay to get messy! And guess what? You don’t even need a smoker or barbecue to make melt-in-your-mouth, finger-licking good pork ribs at home. All you need is an oven, and you’ll be able to whip up batches of everyone’s favorite barbecue dish. Not to mention homemade BBQ sauce to go with it! Make sure that you’re stocked up on napkins and let’s get started!
Essentials for Slow Baked Pork Ribs
The flavor in our baked pork ribs recipe begins even before the homemade barbecue sauce comes into play (and trust us, you want your barbecue sauce homemade). We like to think of the barbecue sauce as the crowning glory, and it's the dry rub that lays the ground work. A dry rub does the same thing as a pork ribs marinade. And it’s just what it sounds like, a mixture of dry spices that’s rubbed into a cut of raw meat. This is going to amplify the flavor that the meat already has, and bring out new ones as well. This method is so effective that it can turn even an inexpensive cut of meat (like ribs) into one of the best things you’ve ever tasted! Here’s what you’ll need to make your new favorite baked pork ribs:
Kosher salt
Garlic powder
Freshly cracked black pepper
Chili powder
Paprika
Cayenne
Baby back pork ribs
How to Make Slow Baked Pork Ribs
Our slow baked pork ribs aren’t complicated to make, but they do take time. Make sure you start the process at least three to four hours before serving. Remember, the name of the game here is low and slow in order to achieve peak succulence! We’re going to cook it for 2 ½ to 3 hours at 300 degrees. The wait is so worth it!
First things first: heat the oven and make the dry rub.
Give the pork ribs a generous, even coating on both sides with your dry rub, then place them onto a rimmed baking sheet.
Tightly wrap the baking sheet with aluminum foil. Make it good and snug, trapping as much fat and juices as possible so that the meat gets nice and tender. Place them in the oven until they’re practically falling apart.
While you’re waiting for your ribs, make the homemade BBQ sauce. You’ve got the time, and it’s so worth it!
Once the pork ribs are done, take them out of the oven and coat them in BBQ sauce before broiling until the BBQ sauce caramelizes. Be sure to keep an eye on them. We’ve come this far, we don’t want them to burn!
Take those beautiful pork ribs out of the oven, and let them rest for about 10 minutes. Then get ready for a barbecue feast!
How to Pick the Best Pork Rib Rack
There are a few things to look for when you’re picking your pork ribs at the grocery store. Head on over to the meat department and don’t be afraid to ask for help! Make sure there is plenty of meat covering the bones, otherwise they may fall out while the ribs are cooking. That’s not the fall-off-the-bones juiciness we’re looking for! Look for pork ribs without too much fat on the surface, since we want meaty ribs, not fatty ones! When it comes to fresh or frozen, fresh is always better but frozen will do in a pinch. Just be sure to check that the edges of the ribs aren’t dried out, since this could indicate freezer burn.
If you’re not buying from behind the case, sometimes a rack of ribs still has a thin membrane covering it. You’ll be able to tell it’s there by the rubbery texture and white coloring. We want to get rid of that, since it will make our ribs tougher and chewier. Not to worry! It’s easily removed by taking a paring or butter knife and sticking it under the membrane. Once you peel enough away to get a good hold of the membrane, peel it right off! You may need to use a paper towel to get a better grip. Once you’ve found the rib rack that checks all the boxes, run, don’t walk to check out. It’s pork ribs night!
Tools You’ll Need
Paring knife or butter knife
Aluminum foil
What to Pair with Our Slow Baked Pork Ribs
We know you’ll agree that these oven baked pork ribs and BBQ sauce are perfect already, but here are some great sides that will complement them and make a more balanced meal.
Invite Everyone Over For Baked Pork Ribs!
You can’t keep these homemade BBQ sauce slathered oven baked pork ribs to yourself. So bust out your phone and some extra napkins, and invite all the people in your life who appreciate a face full of BBQ sauce! Show us how you and your loved ones eat their slow baked pork ribs on Instagram at @themodernproper and #themodernproper. Happy finger licking!
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