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oven baked ribs seasoned with salt and pepper placed meatiest side down in a roasting pan ready to be covered with foil

Easy Fall Off the Bone Oven Baked Ribs

Oven baked ribs cooked low and slow at 275 degrees Fahrenheit until fall-off-the-bone tender, then finished with a homemade sweet and spicy BBQ sauce caramelized under the broiler.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 490

Ingredients
  

  • 2.5 lbs baby back pork ribs spare ribs, St. Louis-style, or country-style also work with similar cook times
  • 1 tsp salt or to taste, for seasoning the ribs
  • 0.5 tsp ground black pepper or to taste, for seasoning the ribs
  • 1 tbsp olive oil for the BBQ sauce
  • 0.25 cup finely diced onion for the BBQ sauce
  • 0.5 tsp ground cumin for the BBQ sauce
  • 0.5 cup ketchup use a thick variety with no high-fructose corn syrup such as Hunt's 100% Natural or Heinz Simply
  • 1 tbsp hot chili sauce such as Sriracha
  • 2 tbsp light brown sugar for the BBQ sauce
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar for the BBQ sauce

Equipment

  • Large roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet
  • Aluminum foil
  • small saucepan
  • Pastry brush
  • sharp knife

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 275 degrees Fahrenheit (135 degrees Celsius). Set out a large roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet and a generous sheet of aluminum foil.
  2. Flip the ribs meat-side down. Slide a knife gently under the thin membrane on the back of the rack and peel it away using your fingers. Use a kitchen towel for grip if it is slippery. Removing this membrane is essential for tender results.
  3. Season both sides of the ribs generously with salt and black pepper.
  4. Place the ribs meatiest-side down in your roasting pan. Cover tightly with aluminum foil, pressing the edges firmly to create a good seal. If your foil is too narrow, wrap each rack individually in its own foil packet and place on the baking sheet.
  5. Bake for 2 and a half to 3 and a half hours. Check at the 2-hour mark. The ribs are ready when a sharp knife pierces the meat with little to no resistance. If still tough, increase oven temperature to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and continue baking.
  6. While the ribs bake, make the BBQ sauce. Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until completely soft and translucent.
  7. Stir in the ground cumin and cook for 30 seconds. Add the ketchup, hot chili sauce, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar. Stir to combine, season with salt, and simmer for 2 minutes. Set aside.
  8. Remove the ribs from the oven and carefully discard the foil. Generously brush the BBQ sauce over both sides of the rack.
  9. Move an oven rack near the top and set the broiler to high. Broil the ribs for 3 to 4 minutes, watching closely, until the sauce caramelizes and bubbles into a glossy glaze. Serve immediately.

Notes

Always remove the membrane from the back of the ribs before cooking for maximum tenderness. Use a thick natural ketchup without high-fructose corn syrup for the best sauce. Multiple racks can be cooked simultaneously wrapped individually in foil on a large baking sheet with no change to cook time. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze double-wrapped for up to 3 months. Reheat wrapped in foil at 275 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes.
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