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Tender oven-baked ribs with spicy rub, sliced and arranged on a white plate, highlighting their deep caramelized color and juicy texture.

3-Step Oven-Baked Ribs with Spicy Rub

Bold, tender oven-baked ribs with a homemade spicy rub of chili powder, brown sugar, dry mustard, cumin and red pepper flakes, baked low at 350°F and finished with BBQ sauce. Three steps, no grill or smoker needed.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Resting Time 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Spicy rub (enough for 2 racks)
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons freshly ground pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dry mustard
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Ribs
  • 1 rack pork ribs such as Smithfield
  • 2/3 cup BBQ sauce your favorite
  • fresh parsley for garnish, optional

Method
 

  1. Mix all the rub spices together. This makes enough for two racks; halve it or save the extra for next time.
  2. Line a baking sheet with foil and lay the ribs fat-side down. Rub the spice mixture generously into the bones and all sides, then turn the ribs over and press the rest into the thick part of the meat so it does not flake off. Let the ribs sit for 30 minutes.
  3. Heat the oven to 350°F and bake the ribs for 1 hour 30 minutes. Pull them out, spread on the BBQ sauce, and return to the oven for 20-30 minutes more, until a bone tugs free and the meat starts to pull away.

Notes

Making your own rub lets you control the salt and skip preservatives. For a hands-off version, try the crockpot baby back ribs.