3 Step Oven Baked Ribs with Spicy Rub

What is more finger-licking good than a full rack of tender oven baked ribs with spicy rub? My husband would tell you nothing. He absolutely LOVES ribs and could probably eat a full rack himself. The way to Dan’s heart is through his stomach, so if I really want to love on him I make him something meaty and spicy.  I usually opt for my foolproof Crockpot Baby Back Ribs Recipe, but the oven works well too. Sometimes it’s nice to peek in every once in awhile, spread on a little more sauce, and pull them out at the peak of tenderness. I also like this recipe because it involves a spicy rub that will add a little kick to your bite. Let me show you the 3 easy steps: 

Step 1: Make the Spicy Rub

I prefer to make my own spice rubs because I can control the salt level and the preservative content. This is enough rub to cover two racks of ribs. If you are seasoning just a few ribs or one rack, cut the recipe in half or save some for another day. Here are the spices you’ll need:

2 Tablespoons chili powder

2 Tablespoons brown sugar

2 Tablespoons Kosher salt

2 Tablespoons freshly ground pepper

1 Tablespoon dry mustard

1 Tablespoon cumin

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Step 2: Season the Oven Baked Ribs

Begin by covering a cookie sheet with foil and laying your ribs fat-side down. Take the spicy rub mixture you made in step 1 and generously rub it into the bones and on all sides of the meat. I prefer Smithfield’s ribs the best because they are preservative and nitrate free.

Turn the ribs over and spread the rest of the seasoning into the thick part of the meat. Use your fingers to press the spices in so that they don’t flake off. Let the ribs sit in the spices for 30 minutes before baking.

Step 3: Cook the Oven Baked Ribs

Heat the oven to 350 degrees and cook the oven baked ribs for an hour and a half. When time is up, pull the ribs out and spread on 2/3 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce. Return the ribs to the oven and cook for another 20-30 minutes. When you can tug on one of the bones and the meat starts to pull off, you know they’re done.

If you can get them onto a pretty platter with a little parsley garnish, you’ll have an irresistible and eye-catching centerpiece for your next dinner party or BBQ. But to be honest, this is a rare sight in my house. I was standing over these oven baked ribs with one hand on my camera and one hand holding back my husband’s grabby hands. See, you just never know what’s going on behind the scenes, lol! 🙂

Because I knew Dan would eat half the rack himself, I opted for healthy veggies as a side. I made my 10 Minute Oven Roasted Brussel Sprouts while the ribs were cooling, and I steamed some zucchini with kosher salt and pepper in a strainer on the stove. It was the world’s easiest dinner, but to my husband I had climbed Mt. Everest in flip flops. By the way, this is what I think of him when he unclogs the sink or fixes my car. 🙂 We make a good team: he fixes stuff and I feed him! 😉

These ribs would be sensational for a backyard BBQ with some of my Grandma Ruth’s Chunky Potato Salad. If you need other side dish ideas, check out my Recipe Index or follow me on Pinterest. Happy cooking y’all!

3 Step Oven Baked Ribs with Spicy Rub

Heidi Davison

This easy 3 Step Oven Baked Ribs with Spicy Rub Recipe is a winner for every occasion. It's easy for a casual dinner or BBQ but fancy enough for a special holiday or party.

4 from 3 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 35 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 35 minutes mins

Course Entree

Cuisine American

Servings 6 -8

Ingredients

  

• 1 full rack of baby-back pork ribs
• 2 Tbsp chili powder
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp Kosher salt
• 2 Tbsp freshly ground pepper
• 1 Tbsp dry mustard
• 1 Tbsp cumin
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 2/3 cup BBQ sauce

Instructions

 

• Heat oven to 350 degrees.
• Line a cookie sheet with foil and lay the ribs meat-side down.
• Mix together all the spices.
• Rub and press the spice mixture onto all sides of the ribs.
• Let the meat sit with the spices for 30 minutes.
• Bake the ribs for 1.5 hours, remove, and spread on BBQ sauce.
• Return the ribs to the oven and cook another 20-30 minutes or until tender and falling off the bone.

Notes

This rub mixture makes enough for two full racks of ribs. If making only one rack, cut the recipe in half or save the extra in a ziplock bag or covered mason jar.