This post contains affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
Are you on the hunt for a foolproof, fall-off-the-bone ribs recipe? If so, this Oven Baked Ribs recipe is exactly what you need! This post will walk you through straightforward steps to achieve tender, flavourful and saucy oven baked bbq ribs.
😍 Why You’ll Love Oven Baked Ribs
Effortless: fall-off-the bone meat every single time.
Comfort food: at its finest; perfect for potlucks, BBQ’ or an effortless dinner.
Flavourful: finished with the most delicious homemade espresso bbq sauce.
🗒 Ingredients You’ll Need To Make Oven Baked Ribs
- Pork side ribs: or baby back ribs.
- Ketchup: the base of the espresso bbq sauce recipe that adds a slightly tangy, sweet thicker consistency.
- Brown sugar: adds a sweet caramelization.
- Espresso: adds a rich and unique depth of roasted flavour without being too over powering.
- Worcestershire: adds a savoury and unami flavour which compliments the oven baked ribs nicely.
- Yellow mustard: provides a sharp tangy flavour that pairs well with the ketchup and brown sugar.
- Dries herbs: dry mustard, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and chili powder used to add flavour to the bbq sauce.
👀 How To Make Oven Baked Ribs
- Prepare the ribs: first, blot the ribs on both sides removing as much of the moisture as you can. Lightly drizzle both sides of ribs with olive oil, and generously season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Bake the ribs: secondly, tent aluminum foil loosely around the ribs, crimping the top edges to seal tightly. Bake for 3-4 hours.
- Prepare the espresso bbq sauce: next, combine all ingredients in a medium sized sauce pan and bring to a boil and then reduce to simmer for 10-15 minutes or until thickened.
- Baste the ribs: finally, remove the ribs from the oven and evenly bast the ribs with the espresso bbq sauce and bake uncovered for another 30 minutes.
👉 Sammy’s tips
- First, firmly press the salt and pepper into the ribs. Then, wrap the ribs tightly with plastic wrap to allow the salt to deeply penetrate the meat which will result in more tender ribs.
🗒️ Variations & Substitutions
- Ribs: opt for baby back ribs rather than side ribs.
- BBQ Sauce: to make things even easier, opt for your favourite store-bought bbq sauce.
🤝 Pairs Well With
- Simple House Salad
- Caesar Pasta Salad
- Blackened Chicken and Rice with Cilantro Lime Dressing
- Lemon Herb Pasta Salad
- Eggplant Salad
🤔 FAQ’s
You can certainly add other spices if you prefer, however these oven baked ribs really only needs the basics.
Yes, of course. Firstly, cut the rack in half or into smaller sections. Secondly, ensure each piece is wrapped tightly with plastic wrap. Finally, follow the recipe card’s instructions to achieve the most tender oven baked ribs.
Yes! In fact, the flavours get better the longer it marinates. Therefore, making it a day or two in advance is a great idea.
Of course! However, the homemade espresso bbq sauce really elevates this oven baked ribs recipe.
The easiest way to know this is by doing the bend test. Generally speaking, when the ribs are tender enough you should be able to pick up a piece of rib and the meat should be pulling away from the bone, in a bending motion. In addition, if you gently slide a knife into the meat and it goes in effortlessly, they should be tender enough.
🍴 Leftovers? Lucky you.
Make ahead: Assemble as per recipe instructions, cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Microwave for 30-45 seconds or bake in a 375 degree oven for 15-20 minutes.
👩🏻🍳 Hungry For More?
- Lemon Dill Salmon
- Easy Cabbage Rolls
- Jalapeño Popper Chicken
- Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry
- Orecchiette with Asparagus and Peas
💌 Let’s Stay Connected
Keep in touch with me on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest! If you do make this recipe (or any recipe of mine) don’t forget to leave a review.
Oven Baked Ribs with Espresso BBQ Sauce
Equipment
- 1 Large baking sheet
Ingredients
Ribs:
- 5½-6 lbs pork side ribs or baby back ribs, 2 slabs
- olive oil
- salt
- pepper
Espresso BBQ Sauce:
- 1¼ cups ketchup
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 shot espresso, about 1½ ounces
- 1 tbsp worcestershire
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tsp dry mustard
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the ribs: remove both slabs of ribs from the packaging.Using a small pairing knife, remove the membrane from the back side of the ribs. (see notes below)Using a paper towel, blot the ribs on both sides removing as much of the moisture as you can.Lightly drizzle all sides of the ribs with olive oil, and generously season all sides with salt and freshly cracked pepper.Cover the ribs with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight.
- Bake the ribs: preheat your oven to 250 °F.Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil.Next, take the ribs out of the plastic wrap. Place each rack of ribs (meaty-side down) onto its own large piece of aluminum foil and wrap them individually.Tent the foil loosely over the top of the ribs, crimping the edges to seal tightly. This will create a steamy environment ensuring the ribs stay tender and moist. Please note, it's very important that the ribs are sealed tightly; if the foil doesn't wrap fully around the ribs, you may need to wrap in multiple layers.Add the ribs onto the foil lined baking sheet and bake.If your slabs (combined) are closer to 6 lbs, bake for 4 hours, if they are 5-5½ lbs bake for 3½ hours.
- Sammy's tip: you'll know the ribs are ready to come out of the oven and be brushed with bbq sauce when you can effortlessly pierce the meat of the ribs with a knife. You can also slightly bend the ribs, and if the meat effortless pulls away from the bone, they are tender enough and can be removed from the oven.
- Prepare the espresso bbq sauce: combine all ingredients in a medium sized sauce pan and bring to a boil and then reduce to simmer for 10-15 minutes or until thickened.
- Baste the ribs: remove the ribs from the oven, remove the foil and place the ribs back on a the foil lined baking sheet, meaty side up.Turn up the heat of your oven to 400 °F.Evenly baste the ribs with the espresso bbq sauce and bake uncovered for another 30 minutes at the higher oven temperature.
- Serve: using a knife, cut between the bones and serve right away.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
