Fall Off the Bone Oven Pork Ribs with Barbecue Sauce Recipe

April 3, 2025 4:19 pm by Alex

Ingredients 🍖🔥

2 racks of pork ribs (baby back or spare ribs)
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon chilli powder (optional)
250ml barbecue sauce (shop-bought or homemade)
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon mustard

Instructions

1. Prepare the Ribs

Preheat your oven to 150°C (fan 130°C) / 300°F / Gas Mark 2.
Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs (use a piece of kitchen towel for grip and pull it off).
Pat the ribs dry with kitchen paper.

2. Season the Ribs

Mix salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and chilli powder in a small bowl.
Rub the seasoning all over the ribs evenly.
Wrap the ribs tightly in kitchen foil.

3. Bake the Ribs

Place the foil-wrapped ribs on a baking tray.
Bake for 2.5 to 3 hours, until the meat is tender and easily pulls away from the bone.

4. Make the Barbecue Sauce

In a small saucepan, combine the barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard.
Simmer over a low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. Glaze & Finish

Remove the ribs from the oven and carefully unwrap them.
Brush a generous layer of barbecue sauce over the ribs.
Increase the oven temperature to 220°C (fan 200°C) / 425°F / Gas Mark 7 and bake for 15 minutes, or until the sauce caramelises.
For extra char, grill (broil) for 2–3 minutes, watching carefully.

6. Serve & Enjoy

Let the ribs rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Serve with coleslaw, cornbread, or roast potatoes.

FAQ: Cooking Oven Ribs with Barbecue Sauce

How do you cook ribs in the oven with barbecue sauce?

Slow-cooking is key to tenderness. Wrap the ribs in foil and bake at 150°C (fan 130°C) / Gas Mark 2 for 2.5–3 hours. Then, coat them with barbecue sauce and bake at 220°C (fan 200°C) / Gas Mark 7 for another 15 minutes to glaze.

How long should BBQ ribs be in the oven?

For fall-off-the-bone tenderness, ribs should bake for 2.5–3 hours at 150°C (fan 130°C) / Gas Mark 2 before finishing at a higher temperature for caramelisation.

Do you put barbecue sauce on ribs before or after baking?

Start with a dry seasoning rub and bake the ribs. Add the barbecue sauce during the final 15 minutes of cooking at a higher temperature to create a sticky glaze.

How long should you cook ribs in the oven for them to be tender?

Low and slow is the secret! Bake the ribs for 2.5 to 3 hours at 150°C (fan 130°C) / Gas Mark 2 so the meat becomes juicy and pulls away from the bone.