Step by step

Method

4 steps

1. 1

   Heat the oven to 300°F. Flip 2 racks baby back ribs bone-side up and slide a knife under the thin membrane; grip with a paper towel and peel it off. Pat the racks dry.

2. 2

   Mix 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Rub all over both sides. Wrap each rack tightly in foil and set on a sheet pan.

3. 3

   Bake 2½–3 hours until the meat is tender and pulls back from the bones about ½ inch — a fork should twist easily. Carefully unwrap (hot steam) and pour off excess juices.

4. 4

   Brush with 1 cup barbecue sauce. Broil 3–5 minutes (or grill over medium) until the sauce is glossy and lightly charred in spots. Rest 10 minutes, then cut between the bones. You want tender oven BBQ ribs with a sticky lacquered glaze — not tough chewy meat or sauce that burns before the ribs soften.