Oven-Baked BBQ Pork Ribs (Spare Ribs)

Oven-Baked BBQ Pork Ribs (Spare Ribs)

Tender, juicy pork ribs slow-baked in the oven and finished sticky with a homemade BBQ sauce. Mostly hands-off cooking makes this perfect for a relaxed lunch or weekend BBQ.

5 from 2 votes

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Course: BBQ, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: BBQ Ribs, Oven Baked Ribs, Pork Ribs

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 4

Servings: people

Calories: 337kcal

Equipment

Large baking tray
Foil (for covering ribs)
Saucepan (for BBQ sauce)
Sharp knife and cutting board

Ingredients

For the Ribs:

1.5 –2 kg pork ribs spare ribs, membrane removed
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp paprika
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tbsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper optional
Salt & black pepper to taste

For the Homemade BBQ Sauce:

1 cup ketchup
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp Dijon mustard optional
1 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tbsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper optional
Salt & black pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 140°C fan-forced.
Prepare the Ribs: Pat the ribs dry. Remove the membrane from the back if not already done.
Prepare the Spice Rub: Mix brown sugar, paprika, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, oregano, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Rub evenly over both sides of the ribs.
Protect the Ribs: Place ribs bone-side down on a large tray. Lay a sheet of baking paper on top of the ribs before covering with foil.
Slow Cook: Bake in the oven for 3.5–4 hours, checking for tenderness after 3.5 hours. The meat should pull away from the bone easily. If not, continue cooking for another 20–30 minutes.
Tip: If the ribs look a little dry during cooking, baste lightly with a little olive oil before returning to the oven.
Make the BBQ Sauce: Combine all BBQ sauce ingredients in a saucepan. Simmer over low heat, stirring frequently until slightly thickened, about 10–15 minutes. Taste and adjust sugar or seasoning if needed.
Tip: If you’re in a rush or prefer convenience, a good-quality store-bought sauce works perfectly.
High Heat Finish: Oven: Increase oven to 220°C (200°C fan-forced). Brush ribs with BBQ sauce and bake 15–20 minutes, uncovered, basting halfway through, until caramelised and sticky.
Optional BBQ/Grill Finish: Preheat the grill. Brush ribs with BBQ sauce and cook over medium heat 5–10 minutes, turning once, until caramelised and lightly charred.
Rest & Serve: Let ribs rest 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with extra BBQ sauce and your choice of sides such as corn, potato salad, or a crisp fresh salad.

Video

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