My 3-step oven-baked ribs with spicy rub recipe is the ultimate way to enjoy a full rack of tender, flavorful ribs. What is more finger-licking good than ribs? 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 a while, 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.
3 Easy Steps for Perfect Oven Baked Ribs
If you’ve never made ribs in the oven before, don’t worry, it’s simpler than you think! My 3-step oven-baked ribs with spicy rub recipe is easy to follow and delivers mouthwatering results every single time. With just three steps, you’ll have ribs that are fall-off-the-bone tender and bursting with flavor.
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
This spice rub is bold, smoky, and just the right amount of sweet and spicy. It’s quick to make, and any extras can be saved for your next rib night!
Step 2: Season the Oven-Baked Ribs With Spicy Rub
Begin by covering a cookie sheet with foil and laying your oven-baked ribs with spicy rub 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 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 with spicy rub 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.
Bringing It All Together
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 of oven-baked ribs with spicy rub 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!
