Oven Roasted BBQ Ribs with Dry Rub

Learn the secret to how to make ribs in a roaster fast but very moist and tender with this Oven Roasted BBQ Ribs with Dry Rub recipe.

Quick and Easy Oven Baked Ribs

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If you crave finger-licking good ribs try the quickest recipe I know of for Oven Roasted BBQ Ribs with Dry Rub that’s moist and tender with a rich BBQ sauce.

The truth is, cooking ribs in a roasting pan that are super moist and tender is easier than you think. With just a few key tips at hand and my recipe for an over-the-top dry rub, you’ll find that just how simple it is how to cook spare ribs in the oven fast.

My easy oven baked ribs are moist and tender and so addicting that you’ll find yourself going back for seconds.

Oven versus Roasting Oven (Nesco)

For this recipe, I use a roasting pan in a conventional oven versus a roasting oven, like Nesco or Oster. But that being said, you can easily bake pork ribs in a roaster oven if you’ve got it.

You will still achieve the same delicious results. The reason? Like an oven, roaster ovens, allow for even cooking. It offers what I call “surround” cooking heat, meaning: all of the unit’s energy goes toward heating your ribs evenly top to bottom, side to side.

The temperature, however, needs to be set slightly lower than the conventional oven–350 degree F, but the total cooking time might be slightly quicker.

Note: I’ve cooked this rib recipe using both methods and for me, whether you use a convention oven or a roasting oven doesn’t really matter. They come out great!

Which method should you choose? It’s totally up to you. Just make sure your ribs have some liquid in the base of the cooking pan using either conventional or roaster oven method. Otherwise, it’s baking as usual.

If you’ve thought about cooking ribs in a roasting pan, but never tried it, you’ll love this recipe for Oven Roasted BBQ Ribs with Dry Rub.

Funny how one’s family standard recipe proves again and again that keeping it simple is always the best way to go. Even so, for many folks, the thought of cooked ribs in a roaster conjures up ideas of dried meat on bones–but not with this recipe.

If you’ve ever wondered how to cook ribs in a roaster that’s moist and flavorful, then you’ll love this recipe.

These ribs always turn out juicy, fork-tender and delicious and not difficult to make.

Five Tips How to Cook Pork Ribs in the Oven Fast

Here are my favorite tips for making the best ribs:

1. Buy Quality Meat

My butcher told me that the most succulent of pork spare ribs comes from quality meat. And, I’d have to agree. The ribs bake better and taste wonderful. That’s because they have the right amount of fat and meat ratio.

But the truth is that I can’t always get this meat–or even afford it, so here’s what I do:

When I buy a “lower” grade of pork ribs, I will cut back the extra fat (if there is any) and then watch my cooking time. I don’t want the ribs to completely fall off the bone, unless I’m doing sandwiches or something like that.

2. Use a Dry Rub

My family secret is the rub. I make mine from scratch: Wisconsin Homemaker Smoky Pork Rub. It’s made from the finest spices and blends.

FYI it’s taken me a long time to get this recipe right, but now I keep a jar of it handy for whenever I cook with pork.

Tip: This rub is perfect for grilling, oven roasting, as well as pressure cooking. Perfect for pork, beef, chicken and shrimp. I love the taste of the deep smoky flavor. Yum!

3. Use a Covered Roasting Pan

My other favorite secret is what to cook the ribs in. I have used a number of roasting pans, covered and not, aluminum pans and more, but my pan of choice for roasted meats has always been my 18 inch Granite Ware Roasting Pan.

I’m sure you’ve seen your mother or grandmother bake roasts in this type of pan and for good reason. The meat comes out succulent every time.

I bought a large and small roasting pan. And, there’s a trick to how to lay out your ribs. (Note: These ribs are already fully cooked, so you’ll have to use your imagination.)

I place the ribs on their side. That way the fatty juices run through the meat keeping it moist, like a natural baster.

4. Bake Them Low and Slow–Sort of

My preferred method for baking is to keep them at a constant temperature. Purists for BBQ ribs, however would disagree. They would opt to start out high (think 450 degrees F) which would seer the meat, and then drop the temp to 325 degrees F or lower and bake until tender.

I have found that keeping the oven temperature at 375 degrees F gives me the best of all worlds. Plus the fact that I always use a covered roaster, the meat browns evenly and cooks perfectly throughout.  As an FYI: for two large racks of ribs, the cooking time comes to about two hours or so–give or take.

Tip: You may want to baste your ribs at the half-way mark, even though they are “naturally” basting.

5. Apply Your BBQ Sauce at the Right Time

You know everyone has their own personal taste for the right kind of barbecue sauce, but I have yet to make or buy one that matches Sweet Baby Rays. I use the “Original” recipe. And, yes, I know it is store-bought, but until I can find (or make) a better one, I’m going to use it faithfully.

Also good to note: I usually buy two bottles every time I make ribs. One bottle is used for glazing during the baking process, the other for serving later on.

The BBQ sauce is slathered on the ribs during the last 10 minutes or so of cooking. That’s when you bake your meat uncovered. Be generous and cover all of the rib surfaces, top and bottom.

I like using a standard pastry/basting brush or a silicon brush to get into the nooks and crannies.

That’s it!

Once the ribs have cooked through, take them out of the oven and let them rest for 10-15 minutes to allow the juices to work its way back up and into the tender meat.

Then, cut, plate and serve with more barbecue sauce for dipping. Enjoy!

5 from 2 votes

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Oven Roasted BBQ Ribs with Dry Rub Recipe

If you crave finger-licking good ribs try the best and quickest recipe I know of for Oven Roasted BBQ Ribs with Dry Rub that’s moist and tender with a rich BBQ sauce.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword babyback ribs, barbecue, BBQ, oven baked, oven roasted, picnic, pork recipes, ribs

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 2 hours

Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes

Servings 8 servings

Calories 794 kcal

Author Deborah L Melian

Ingredients

• 6.5 lbs baby back ribs
• 1 cup Wisconsin Smoky Pork Rub See Recipe Link in Recipe Notes
• 18 oz Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Sauce Original

Instructions

1. On a large platter, place the baby back ribs. Using the Wisconsin Smoky Pork Rub, cover the ribs top and bottom.

2. In a large (18 inch) Granite Ware Roaster, place rack of ribs on end.

3. Cover and bake in a 375 degree F oven for approximately 2 hours.

4. 10 minutes prior to removing from the oven, brush liberally with BBQ sauce.

5. Put ribs back in oven, leaving uncovered and finish baking.

6. Remove from oven and let rest for about 10 minutes.

7. Serve hot with extra BBQ sauce for dipping. Enjoy!

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Recipe Link: Wisconsin Smoky Pork Rub – https://wisconsinhomemaker.com/wisconsin-homemaker-smoky-pork-rub/

Nutrition Facts

Oven Roasted BBQ Ribs with Dry Rub Recipe

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 794 Calories from Fat 387

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 43g 66%

Saturated Fat 8g 40%

Cholesterol 272mg 91%

Sodium 814mg 34%

Potassium 1303mg 37%

Total Carbohydrates 23g 8%

Sugars 18g

Protein 71g 142%

Vitamin A 3.1%

Vitamin C 0.4%

Calcium 10%

Iron 19.4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.