Here’s a pork ribs recipe that gives you tender, flavorful ribs whether you’re baking them in the oven, grilling them, or both. This recipe focuses on BBQ-style pork ribs, but I’ll also include some notes for variations.
🍖 Ultimate BBQ Pork Ribs Recipe (Oven & Grill Combo)
🕒 Prep Time: 20 minutes
🕒 Cook Time: 2.5–3 hours
🍽 Serves: 4–6 people
🛒 Ingredients
For the Ribs:
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2 full racks of pork ribs (baby back or St. Louis-style)
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2 tbsp olive oil (for coating)
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1 tbsp yellow mustard (optional, helps seasoning stick)
Dry Rub:
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2 tbsp brown sugar
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1 tbsp smoked paprika
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1 tbsp garlic powder
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1 tbsp onion powder
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2 tsp kosher salt
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1 tsp black pepper
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1 tsp chili powder (optional for heat)
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½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
For Basting/BBQ Sauce:
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1½ cups BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade – see below)
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2 tbsp apple cider vinegar or apple juice (to thin the sauce while basting)
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Optional: honey for extra glaze
🔧 Tools Needed
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Baking sheet
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Aluminum foil
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Wire rack (optional, helps air circulation)
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Pastry brush (for basting)
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Tongs
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Grill (optional, for finishing)
👨🍳 Instructions
1. Preheat & Prep the Ribs
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Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
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Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs:
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Flip the ribs bone-side up.
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Use a butter knife to lift the membrane from a corner.
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Grip it with a paper towel and peel it off in one piece.
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Pat ribs dry with paper towels.
2. Seasoning
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Lightly rub ribs with olive oil or mustard.
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Mix all dry rub ingredients in a bowl.
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Generously coat both sides of the ribs with the rub.
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Let them sit for 15–30 minutes (or refrigerate overnight for more flavor).
3. Wrap & Bake
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Place each rack on a sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil.
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Add 1–2 tbsp of apple juice or water (optional, for steam).
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Wrap tightly in foil and place on a baking sheet.
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Bake for 2.5 hours until tender but not falling apart.
4. (Optional) Finish on Grill
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Preheat grill to medium-high heat (375–400°F / 190–200°C).
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Carefully unwrap ribs (watch for hot steam).
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Brush with BBQ sauce.
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Grill each side for 5–7 minutes, basting with more sauce and flipping once.
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Let sauce caramelize but not burn.
🔥 No grill? Just broil ribs for 5–7 minutes in the oven instead.
5. Rest & Serve
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Let ribs rest for 10 minutes before cutting.
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Slice between the bones with a sharp knife.
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Serve with extra sauce, slaw, cornbread, or fries!
🥣 Homemade BBQ Sauce (Optional)
In a saucepan, combine:
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1 cup ketchup
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¼ cup apple cider vinegar
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¼ cup brown sugar
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2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
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1 tbsp Dijon mustard
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1 tsp smoked paprika
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Salt & pepper to taste
Simmer for 15 minutes until thickened.
🔁 Variations
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Asian-style ribs: Use a soy-ginger-hoisin marinade instead of BBQ rub.
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Spicy ribs: Add more cayenne or use a spicy BBQ sauce.
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Fall-off-the-bone: Cook ribs in foil for 3–3.5 hours, then broil/grill.
✅ Pro Tips
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Don’t skip removing the silver skin – it makes ribs chewy.
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For smokier flavor, add a drop or two of liquid smoke to the sauce.
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Let ribs come to room temperature before grilling for best sear.