Oven Barbecued Pork Ribs

These oven barbecued pork ribs give you all the juicy, saucy goodness of barbecue without ever stepping outside. Pork spareribs are slow-roasted in the oven until tender, then basted repeatedly with a simple butter, vinegar, and brown sugar sauce that keeps them moist and boosts the flavor with every pass.

Because ribs cook low and slow on a rack, the fat renders gently, keeping the meat succulent rather than drying out. A final brushing of your favorite barbecue sauce—homemade or bottled—adds the sticky, finger-licking finish that rib fans love. It’s a great option when you don’t have a grill handy, or the weather isn’t cooperating, but you still want a rib-night dinner on the table.

What You’ll Like About This Recipe

• No grill or smoker needed. Everything happens in the oven, so you can make tender, flavorful ribs any time of year. You still get that slow-roasted, baste-and-brush experience without tending a fire.
• Simple homemade basting sauce. The butter, vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, and spices melt into a savory-tangy glaze that keeps the ribs moist as they cook. It’s quick to mix and uses ingredients you probably already have.
• Tender, meaty ribs. Cooking the ribs on a rack allows the heat to circulate and the fat to drip away, so you end up with tender meat that pulls cleanly from the bone without feeling greasy.

Ingredient Notes

• Pork spareribs – Spareribs are meatier and a bit fattier than baby back ribs, which makes them well-suited to slow oven roasting. If the rack still has a membrane on the bone side, you can slip a knife underneath and peel it away for more tender ribs and better flavor penetration.
• Unsalted butter – Butter forms the rich base of the basting sauce and helps carry the flavors of the vinegar, garlic, and spices over the surface of the ribs. Unsalted butter lets you control the salt level, but salted butter will work if you adjust the added salt.
• Apple cider vinegar – This adds tang and brightness, balancing the richness of the ribs and butter. Cider vinegar also gives a mild fruitiness that works well with barbecue flavors.
• Brown sugar or maple syrup – A touch of sweetness helps the basting sauce caramelize as it cooks onto the ribs. Brown sugar gives a gentle molasses note, while maple syrup adds its own subtle flavor.
• Garlic – Minced garlic brings warmth and savory depth to the sauce. Since it simmers briefly with the butter and vinegar, it softens and mellows as the ribs cook.
• Cayenne pepper – Just a dash adds a quiet heat that doesn’t overpower the ribs. You can increase it slightly for a spicier batch, or leave it out if you prefer very mild ribs.
• barbecue sauce (for finishing) – A bottled sauce or homemade barbecue sauce brushed on at the end gives you a sticky, flavorful outer layer. Choose smoky, sweet, spicy, or mustard-based depending on your preference.

How to Make Oven Barbecued Pork Ribs

1. Prepare the ribs by patting them dry and cutting the slab into serving-size sections so they fit comfortably on a rack set inside a roasting pan.
2. Preheat the oven to a moderate temperature and set the rack in the pan so the ribs are elevated; this allows hot air to circulate and fat to drip away as they roast.
3. Make the basting sauce by gently heating the butter, water, brown sugar or maple syrup, cider vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper, and cayenne in a small saucepan. Bring it just to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar, then remove from the heat.
4. Arrange the ribs meaty side up on the rack and place the pan in the oven. Roast the ribs uncovered until the meat has started to shrink back from the bones and they are beginning to turn golden.
5. Start basting the ribs with the warm sauce, brushing it generously over the surface. Continue roasting, basting every 10 to 15 minutes so the layers of sauce build flavor as the ribs become more tender.
6. Check for doneness when the ribs are well browned, the meat feels tender when pierced with a fork, and it pulls slightly away from the bones. Brush with a final layer of basting sauce or barbecue sauce near the end of cooking.
7. Let the ribs rest briefly out of the oven so the juices settle, then slice between the bones and serve with extra barbecue sauce on the side.

Pro Tips

• Remove the membrane on the bone side of the ribs if it’s still attached. This thin, shiny layer can be tough and can prevent the seasoning and basting sauce from fully penetrating.
• Position the ribs meaty side up on a rack so they cook evenly and don’t sit in rendered fat. Lining the pan with foil underneath the rack makes cleanup easier.
• Warm the basting sauce occasionally as you go so it spreads easily and doesn’t congeal. A warm sauce coats the ribs more evenly.
• Baste frequently during the final stretch of cooking. Multiple light coatings deliver better flavor and color than a single heavy brush of sauce.

Recipe Variations

• Sweet and smoky ribs. Increase the brown sugar slightly and add a pinch of smoked paprika to the basting sauce. Finish with a smoky barbecue sauce for a deeper, campfire-style flavor.
• Spicy cayenne or chili ribs. Add extra cayenne or a bit of your favorite hot sauce to the basting mixture for ribs with noticeable heat. Serve with a cooling side like coleslaw or a creamy potato salad.
• Baby back rib swap. Use the same basting sauce with baby back ribs instead of spareribs. Baby backs are smaller and leaner, so begin checking for doneness earlier and adjust the total cook time as needed.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with creamy coleslaw or vinegar slaw for a cool, crunchy contrast.
• Pair with baked beans, potato salad, or mac and cheese for classic BBQ sides.
• Add skillet cornbread or soft dinner rolls to soak up the extra sauce.
• Include grilled or roasted corn on the cob, or a simple cucumber-tomato salad.
• Finish with peach cobbler, banana pudding, or brownies for a satisfying dessert.

How to Store

• Refrigerate: Cool leftover ribs to room temperature, then transfer them to an airtight container or wrap them tightly in foil. Refrigerate for up to 3 to 4 days. Store extra barbecue sauce separately in a covered container.
• Reheat: For the best texture, reheat the ribs in a 300°F oven, wrapped in foil with a spoonful of water or extra barbecue sauce to keep them moist. Warm until the meat is hot and tender, then unwrap and brush with a bit more sauce if desired.
• Freeze: Wrap cooled ribs tightly in foil and place them in a freezer bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the oven, adding a splash of liquid and extra sauce to refresh the flavor and moisture.