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Craving ribs that are juicy, tender, and packed with flavor? These Sticky Oven Baked Ribs are slathered in a rich, garlicky barbecue sauce with a spicy kick. With their caramelized, glossy exterior and fall-off-the-bone texture, these Oven Baked Ribs are the ultimate weekend indulgence. Continuing the legacy of our Slow Cooker Barbecue Ribs, this oven-baked version delivers all the finger-licking goodness you love.
What Sets These Oven Baked Ribs Apart?
Think perfect barbecue ribs require a fancy smoker or grill? Think again! These easy-to-follow oven baked ribs are proof that mouthwatering, smoky ribs can be made right in your oven. A family favorite, these oven baked ribs release an irresistible aroma as they cook, guaranteeing everyone’s attention at the dinner table.
After mastering pork dishes like Sticky Chinese BBQ Pork Belly and BBQ Baked Pork Chops, I’ve perfected the ultimate melt-in-your-mouth consistency. The best part? With the oven doing most of the work, you can relax while your oven baked ribs turn tender and glistening in that sticky barbecue sauce.
Oven Baked Ribs With Barbecue Sauce: Key Ingredients
The secret to these Sticky Oven Baked Ribs lies in the ingredients. A smoky dry rub adds bold flavor, tender pork ensures juiciness, and a rich barbecue sauce brings glossy, caramelized perfection. Simple steps, unbeatable results!
- BBQ Sauce: Choose a high-quality barbecue sauce that complements your taste—whether smoky, tangy, or sweet. I love using plain, regular BBQ sauce for its balanced flavor that lets the dry rub shine.
- Worcestershire Sauce: The secret weapon for irresistible ribs! This savory ingredient adds depth and umami, enhancing the marinade and elevating your barbecue experience.
- Pork Ribs: Opt for fresh, high-quality ribs with a good balance of marbling for tenderness and flavor. Baby back ribs are perfect for a meatier bite, while spare ribs give you more of that satisfying fat.
*Note: Please see Recipe Card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Additions And Substitutions
When it comes to Sticky Oven Baked Ribs, every detail counts. Don’t have a specific spice for the dry rub? No stress—easy substitutions still pack a flavorful punch without compromising that smoky, rich taste!
- Liquid Smoke: A few drops of liquid smoke bring a deep, smoky barbecue flavor, perfect for recreating that authentic grilled taste—no smoker needed!
- Soy Sauce: Swap Worcestershire sauce for soy sauce to achieve a savory, umami twist in the marinade without compromising the ribs’ bold flavor.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: A splash can brighten the barbecue sauce, balancing its sweetness with a tangy punch while keeping flavors vibrant and rich.
Homemade Sticky Barbecue Ribs: Step-by-Step
Let’s dive in! With a handful of easy steps, you’ll master the art of Sticky Oven Baked Ribs—tender, juicy, and coated in that rich, smoky barbecue goodness. Time to make your kitchen smell amazing!
- Preheat the Oven Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Prepare the Ribs Peel off the tough membrane covering the underside (bony side) of the ribs.
- Season the Ribs Combine garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, cumin, and chili or cayenne. Sprinkle the seasoning over the ribs and drizzle with oil. Rub the seasoning all over both sides of the ribs.
- Bake the Ribs Cover the tray with foil and bake for 2 hours.
- Prepare the Sauce During the last 5 minutes of baking, mix together the sauce ingredients: barbecue sauce, minced garlic, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper (optional for heat), and salt.
- Apply the Sauce Remove the ribs from the oven, remove the foil, and spread the tops of the ribs with the barbecue sauce mixture. Increase the oven temperature to 460°F (240°C). Return the ribs to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
*Pro Tip: In the final 3 minutes, switch the oven settings to broil (or grill) on medium-high heat to lightly char and caramelize the edges.
Oven Baked Ribs are a match made in heaven, aren’t they? It’s a classic that I couldn’t resist recommending. Lucky for you, I have a few versions to bring together the mild, earthy flavor of spuds with the rich, smoky taste of ribs: Easy Creamy Mashed Potatoes, Crispy Garlic Baked Potato Wedges, Garlic Roasted Potatoes, or Garlic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes. However, if you’re craving other veggies, try Corn on the Cob with Garlic Butter, Grilled Asparagus, or Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots– they all pair perfectly with barbecue ribs.
Recipe FAQ’s
While marinating overnight can enhance the flavor, it’s not necessary. You can season the ribs and bake them right away for a delicious result.
The ribs are done when the meat is tender and easily pulls away from the bones. You can also check the internal temperature, which should be around 190-203°F (88-95°C).
You can substitute Worcestershire sauce with soy sauce or a mixture of soy sauce and a dash of vinegar for a similar flavor profile.
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Sticky Oven Barbecue Ribs
Ingredients
RIBS:
- 4 pounds baby back pork ribs
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper cracked
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder or cayenne powder – optional
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
SAUCE:
- 2 cups barbecue sauce
- 3 tablespoons garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 – 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper optional for heat
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Peel off tough membrane that covers the underside/bony side of the ribs. Place on a baking sheet or tray lined with foil (or parchment paper).
- Combine together garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, cumin and chili or Cayenne. Sprinkle seasoning over ribs and drizzle with oil. Rub the seasoning all over the ribs on both sides. Cover tray with foil and bake for 2 hours.
- During the last 5 minutes of cook time, mix together sauce ingredients.
- Remove ribs from the oven, remove foil and spread the tops of the ribs with the barbecue sauce mixture.
- Increase oven temperature to 460°F (240°C). Return ribs to the oven, uncovered, and bake for a further 10 minutes. Change oven settings to broil (or grill) on medium-high heat to lightly char and caramelise the edges (about 3 minutes).
- Rest for 10 minutes to allow the juices to recirculate back into the meat before slicing.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Made this for dinner tonight. My husband does not like bbq sauce so I cut him a half a rack with just the dry rub and he absolutely loved it. I however, love the bbq sauce and it was the best ribs I’ve ever eaten. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Hi Melissa! I’m so happy to hear both of you enjoyed my recipe.
Hi! Quick question when you raise the heat to 4 something do you wait to put it in or do the ten minutes while it’s increasing
Hi Sam, check out step 6 in the recipe card. Everything you need is detailed there. Take a look!
I’ve been using this recipe for over 5 years but I recently forgot how to make the barbecue sauce so I came back to check but it looks like it’s changed, did it ? The last one was almost a make from scratch with tomato sauce and apple cider etc… do you still have that recipe somewhere would love it !
Hi David! We did not change the recipe; however, to make this sauce, you’re still required to prepare it from scratch by adding different sauces.
Love these ribs! My new favourite. Thank you so much. Making them again tonight!
Hi Wendy! I’m so happy to hear you loved this recipe. Happy cooking!
Can you use this same recipe for beef ribs? Thank you
Absolutely, Sandy! You can definitely use the sticky oven barbecue ribs recipe with beef ribs. However, you’ll need to adjust the cooking time since beef ribs are meatier than pork. Marinate them for longer and check the internal temperature to ensure they’re cooked properly.