Oven Baked Ribs

I usually smoke my ribs, but there are times when I’m more than happy to cook them in other ways. Usually, that means on the Char-Broil Big Easy. Once, heck, I even made them in the slow cooker! Gasp! This time I figured I’d try oven baked ribs, which really isn’t much different than using the Big Easy.

I ended up with tender, juicy ribs that tasted absolutely great. Of course, they do not have that smoky flavor I’d get on the smoker, cooked for 6 hours. But, I make up for that a bit by adding smoky ingredients. Like smoked paprika. And I used a smoky (hickory in this case) BBQ sauce at the end.

Oven Baked Ribs

Adding Smoke Flavor

Although I did not include it in the recipe below, I’d consider adding a drop of liquid smoke to the foil before sealing the ribs. There’s already a good bit of great smokiness added by the smoked paprika. I wouldn’t go crazy with the liquid smoke. A few drops at most. If you aren’t a fan of liquid smoke but want more smoky flavor, substitute smoked sea salt for the Kosher salt.

I used back ribs, though when I smoke ribs I almost always use spare ribs trimmed St. Louis-style. I wouldn’t use spare ribs in this recipe because I’d be afraid that the additional fat in them would almost end up ‘boiling’ the ribs in the foil.

If I’m reaching for a bottled BBQ sauce, I often go for Sweet Baby Ray’s.

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Also try my oven-baked hot dogs. Hankerin’ for more ribs? Make some slow cooker Vietnamese ribs.

Oven Baked Ribs
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Oven Baked Ribs

Fantastic ribs that don't need a smoker or grill to be cooked to perfection.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword baked, ribs
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 55 minutes
Servings 2 racks
Calories 1549kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
  • Place ribs onto two large pieces of foil.
  • Combine the remaining ingredients except for the sauce.
  • Sprinkle the rub mixture over the ribs on all sides. Depending on the size of your ribs you may not end up needing all of the rub.
  • Seal the foil tightly, transfer to a large baking sheet and place in the oven.
  • Bake for 2 1/2 hours.
  • Carefully open the foil. There will be lots of hot liquid accumulated in the bottom of the foil packets!
  • Remove the ribs from the foil (they might be quite tender, so support them from underneath using large turners or flat wooden paddles and transfer to the baking sheets.
  • Brush with plenty of sauce and place ribs under the broiler for about 5 minutes or until the sauce has set.
  • Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.
  • Serve with more sauce for dipping if desired.

Notes

I like to use a smoky sauce to give the illusion of smoked or grilled ribs.

Nutrition

Calories: 1549kcal | Carbohydrates: 67g | Protein: 111g | Fat: 95g | Saturated Fat: 33g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 391mg | Sodium: 1751mg | Potassium: 1870mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 55g | Vitamin A: 5616IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 290mg | Iron: 9mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

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2-2-1 Smoked Baby Back Ribs

I’m a huge fan of spareribs trimmed St. Louis-style and smoked low-and-slow. I have to admit, my favorite part are the rib tips that come from trimming the spareribs. And that’s why, until recently, I haven’t really smoked a lot of baby back ribs, which have less fat and no tips. That’s until I tried 2-2-1 smoked baby back ribs.

This is The Way

Well, now I cannot stop making them. This is my go-to method for making the most tender, juicy, flavor-packed baby back ribs in around 5 hours. They’re truly easy to make and are about as fool-proof as you can get, and you get the same results time after time.

Don’t be afraid of the mustard on these 2-2-1 smoked baby back ribs. It’s there to help the seasoning adhere to the ribs. Trust me, you won’t taste it a bit when the ribs are done. It’s what is referred to as a ‘binder’. It helps ‘bind’ the seasonings to the meat. It’s a good thing so get it nice and evenly distributed so the seasonings get nice and evenly distributed.

2-2-1 Smoked Baby Back Ribs

What’s in a Name?

So why are they called 2-2-1 ribs? Because you smoke them uncovered for 2 hours. Then you smoke them wrapped in foil for another 2 hours. And finally finish them off uncovered for another hour. Now, depending on the size of the ribs and the temperature of your smoker, they might be done a bit earlier or later, but a minute here or there won’t make a big difference. Just make sure they’re nice and tender before removing from the foil.

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If you prefer spareribs, check out my technique for making 3-2-1 smoked St. Louis-style ribs. Need a great homemade sauce? Here are just a few of the ones I’ve made and love: smokehouse, southwestern, atomic, Sriracha and sweet-n-spicy.

2-2-1 Smoked Baby Back Ribs
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

2-2-1 Smoked Baby Back Ribs

This is my go-to method for making the most tender, juicy, flavor-packed baby back ribs in around 5 hours. 
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword ribs, smoked
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 10 minutes
Servings 1 rack
Calories 1270kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Fire up your smoker for 225 F. Use a medium or light wood. I prefer hickory, cherry, apple, peach or maple.
  • Spread a thin layer of mustard on both sides of the ribs. Dust lightly with the rub.
  • Smoke for 2 hours, bone-side down.
  • Lay out a large piece of thick foil (double it if using thin foil). In center of the foil squeeze out a thin line of honey, a few teaspoons of chili sauce, and a line of margarine.
  • Place the ribs bone-side down onto the center of the foil.
  • Squeeze out another line of honey, a few teaspoons of chili sauce, and some more margarine along the meat side of the ribs. No need to spread out the ingredients.
  • Seal the foil tightly and return to the smoker for 2 hours or until you can easily slide a toothpick between the ribs.
  • Carefully open the foil (the escaping steam will burn!) and remove the ribs, placing them directly on the smoker grates. Reserve the basting juices and brush them onto the ribs.
  • Smoke another 30 minutes, brushing with the basting juices every 10 minutes.
  • Now, brush the ribs the BBQ sauce and smoke another 30 minutes or until the sauce is set as you desire.
  • Let rest 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Nutritional values do not include the rub or sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 1270kcal | Protein: 108g | Fat: 93g | Saturated Fat: 33g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 391mg | Sodium: 493mg | Potassium: 1400mg | Vitamin A: 125IU | Calcium: 176mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

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