Baby Back Ribs in the Oven (or on the Grill!)

User Reviews

5.0

9 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    20 mins

  • Cook Time

    3 hrs

  • Total Time

    3 hrs 20 mins

  • Servings

    12

  • Calories

    362 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    American

Baby Back Ribs in the Oven (or on the Grill!)

Learn the foolproof steps to bake baby back ribs in the oven or cook them on the grill so they're fall-off-the-bone tender with a perfect bark, every time. Whichever cooking method you prefer, start with our bold and delicious coffee BBQ sauce recipe for ribs that are finger-licking amazing!

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Ingredients

Servings

For the Oven Baked Ribs:

  • 4 teaspoons chile powder
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
  • 2 racks baby back ribs
  • 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
  • 1 tablespoon oil

For the Coffee Barbeque Sauce:

  • 2-3 cloves garlic minced
  • 3/4 cup cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 28 ounces tomato puree
  • 3 tablespoons molasses
  • 1/4 cup whiskey
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons instant coffee granules
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 2 tablesppons Dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
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Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Mix the first seven ingredients in a small bowl.
  2. Cut each rack in several pieces and rub the spices over all the rib sections. You can leave the ribs whole if you like the way they look better—I just think they are easier to handle on the grill in smaller pieces! Pour 4 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke in a roasting pan.
  3. Place the ribs in the pan, top side up. Tightly cover the pan with foil and bake for 2 hours. Remove from the oven and rest until ready to grill.
  4. Meanwhile, add 1 tablespoon oil to a saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes. Then add the rest of the ingredients for the BBQ sauce to the saucepan. Simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Once the ribs have cooked for 2 hours, remove them from the oven and place them on a baking sheet, uncovered. Heat an oven to 425 degrees.
  6. Brush the ribs completely with BBQ sauce. Place them back in the oven and cook for 20 minutes, turning and brushing every 5 minutes until the desired “bark” has developed.

Notes

  • Grill Method -
  • Preheat the grill to 300-325 degrees F. Mix the first seven ingredients in a small bowl.
  • Cut each rack in several pieces and rub the spices over all the rib sections. You can leave the ribs whole if you like the way they look better—I just think they are easier to handle on the grill in smaller pieces! Pour 4 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke in a roasting pan or foil pan.
  • Place the ribs in the pan, top side up. Tightly cover the pan with foil and place the pan on the grill for 1 ½ - 2 hours. 
  • Meanwhile, add 1 tablespoon oil to a saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes. Then add the rest of the ingredients for the BBQ sauce to the saucepan. Simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Brush the ribs completely with BBQ sauce. Place them on the grill grates and cook for 20 minutes, turning and brushing every 5 minutes until the desired “bark” has developed.
  • Barbecue Sauce Note - It's fun to make your own coffee BBQ sauce. But in a pinch, buy a bottled variety you like and simmer for a few minutes with the coffee granules!
  • Leftovers - Cooked ribs will keep well for up to 3 days in the fridge stored in an airtight container.
  • To Freeze - Wrap each of the cooked sections of baby back ribs in aluminum foil before placing them all together in a plastic ziploc bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Then thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating in the oven or air fryer.
  • Preheat the grill to 300-325 degrees F. Mix the first seven ingredients in a small bowl.
  • Cut each rack in several pieces and rub the spices over all the rib sections. You can leave the ribs whole if you like the way they look better—I just think they are easier to handle on the grill in smaller pieces! Pour 4 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke in a roasting pan or foil pan.
  • Place the ribs in the pan, top side up. Tightly cover the pan with foil and place the pan on the grill for 1 ½ - 2 hours. 
  • Meanwhile, add 1 tablespoon oil to a saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes. Then add the rest of the ingredients for the BBQ sauce to the saucepan. Simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Once the ribs have cooked until tender, remove them from the grill. Raise the grill temperature to 350-400 degree F.
  • Brush the ribs completely with BBQ sauce. Place them on the grill grates and cook for 20 minutes, turning and brushing every 5 minutes until the desired “bark” has developed.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Serving 1serving Calories 362kcal (18%) Carbohydrates 30g (10%) Protein 21g (42%) Fat 17g (26%) Saturated Fat 6g (30%) Cholesterol 65mg (22%) Sodium 1052mg (44%) Potassium 697mg (20%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 25g (50%) Vitamin A 805IU (16%) Vitamin C 7.3mg (8%) Calcium 82mg (8%) Iron 3.4mg (19%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 362 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 362kcal 18%
Carbohydrates 30g 10%
Protein 21g 42%
Fat 17g 26%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Cholesterol 65mg 22%
Sodium 1052mg 44%
Potassium 697mg 15%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 25g 50%
Vitamin A 805IU 16%
Vitamin C 7.3mg 8%
Calcium 82mg 8%
Iron 3.4mg 19%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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5.0

9 reviews
Excellent

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