Recipe

Ultimate Beef Ribs Recipe

Fall-apart tender, sticky, and deeply savory beef ribs with crisp edges and a glossy, rich BBQ-style glaze.

By Matt Campbell

•

4.9

A baking sheet of lacquered beef ribs fresh from the oven with caramelized edges and a small bowl of sauce on the side

Beef ribs are one of those dishes that feel like you had a plan, even if you really just wanted dinner to taste like a backyard cookout and a cozy Sunday roast had a very delicious baby. These are oven-baked beef ribs that come out tender enough to tug apart, with a sauce that turns glossy and bold, plus those little crisped edges that make you “taste test” three times before they hit the table.

No smoker required. We slow-bake them covered so the meat gets soft and juicy, then we finish uncovered and broil briefly for that sticky, caramelized top. It is approachable, low drama, and wildly rewarding.

Why It Works

Low and slow tenderness: Covered baking with a splash of liquid gently braises the ribs so the connective tissue breaks down and the meat loosens from the bone.
Big flavor, simple pantry: A spice rub plus an easy sauce builds layers of savory, sweet, and tangy without specialty ingredients.
Crisp edges, sticky top: Uncovering near the end concentrates the sauce, and a quick broil gives you that caramelized finish.
Works for back ribs or short ribs: This method is flexible, just adjust cook time based on thickness.

Pairs Well With

Creamy Coleslaw
Skillet Cornbread
Crispy Potato Wedges
Stovetop Mac and Cheese

Storage Tips

How to Store and Reheat

Refrigerate: Cool ribs for about 30 minutes, then store airtight in the fridge for up to 4 days. Keep extra sauce in a separate container if you can. For food safety, do not leave ribs out for more than about 2 hours total (or 1 hour if it is very warm).

Freeze: Wrap ribs tightly and freeze up to 2 months. For best texture, freeze with a little sauce to protect the meat from drying out.

Reheating

Oven: Put ribs in a baking dish, add a splash of water or broth, cover with foil, and heat at 300°F for 20 to 35 minutes until hot. For extra confidence, heat to 165°F in the thickest part. Uncover for the last 5 minutes, then brush with sauce.
Microwave: Works, but go low and slow. Cover and heat at 50 to 70% power in short bursts with a spoonful of sauce to keep them juicy.

Common Questions

What kind of beef ribs should I buy?

For this recipe, beef back ribs are the most common and cook up beautifully in the oven. If you find English-cut short ribs, they also work, but they are thicker and usually need more covered time (plan on adding 30 to 60 minutes). A deeper pan and an extra splash of broth can help too.

Do I need to remove the membrane?

Yes, if it is still on. The thin silvery membrane on the bone side can turn tough. Slide a butter knife under it and pull with a paper towel for grip.

How do I know the ribs are done?

Look for tenderness first. A skewer or knife should slide in with little resistance, and the meat should look relaxed and pulled back from the bones. If you like a temperature guide, aim for about 195°F to 205°F in the thickest part of the meat. Just know back ribs can be thin between bones, so thermometer placement can be tricky. If it is tender, it is done.

Can I make these ahead?

Totally. Bake them covered until tender, cool, then refrigerate. Reheat covered at 300°F, then sauce and broil right before serving for fresh-looking glaze and crisp edges.

My sauce tastes too sweet. How do I fix it?

Add a splash of apple cider vinegar or a squeeze of lemon, plus a pinch of salt. Tang and salt balance sweetness fast.

Do I need to adjust for convection?

If you are using convection, your oven may run a bit hotter. Start checking for tenderness 15 to 20 minutes early, and keep a close eye during the 400°F and broil steps since the glaze can caramelize faster.

Matt Campbell

I have always had a huge passion for the culinary arts, people, working as a team, and so on. I wanted to pursue my love for cooking initially at Virginia Commonwealth University with a culinary arts degree; however, I instead decided to apply myself and acquire more practical skills. My end goal is to eventually open my own restaurant or similar establishment.

Kitchen Essentials

Large rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan
Aluminum foil (heavy duty if possible)
Small bowl for mixing rub
Small saucepan for warming sauce (optional, but helpful)
Tongs
Instant-read thermometer (optional, helpful for confidence)

The first time I tried to make beef ribs at home, I overthought it like I was auditioning for a cooking show. Fancy steps, weird timing, unnecessary stress. Now I do it the way I actually cook most often, which is: season boldly, cook it gently, then crank the heat at the end for the fun part.

These ribs are my favorite kind of kitchen chaos. The house smells unreal, the sauce gets sticky in the best way, and you get to feel like a hero with basically one pan and some foil. That is my kind of magic.

Ultimate Beef Ribs Recipe

(4.9 Reviews)

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 3 hours 35 minutes

Total Time 4 hours

Servings 3 to 4 (or up to 6 with smaller portions and hearty sides)

Ingredients

4 to 5 lb beef back ribs (1 to 2 racks)
1 tbsp kosher salt (use 2 tsp if using fine salt)
2 tsp black pepper
2 tsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 to 2 tbsp brown sugar (optional, for extra caramelization)
1 tbsp neutral oil (avocado, canola, vegetable)
1/2 cup beef broth (or water)

Rich Rib Sauce

3/4 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite)
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 to 2 tsp soy sauce (umami boost)
1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
2 cloves garlic, finely grated or minced
1 tbsp butter (stir in at the end for gloss)

Sauce yield: About 1 cup, enough for glazing plus extra for serving.

Instructions

Heat the oven: Preheat to 300°F. Position a rack in the middle (keep it there for the whole recipe).
Prep the ribs: Pat ribs dry. If there is a membrane on the bone side, remove it. If you spot big, thick caps of surface fat, trim them down a bit so the pan juices do not get greasy. Cut the rack into 2 to 3 bone sections if needed so it fits your pan.
Mix the rub: In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cumin, and brown sugar (if using).
Season: Rub ribs lightly with oil, then coat generously with the spice mix on all sides.
Set up the pan: Place ribs bone-side down in a rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan. Pour 1/2 cup broth into the pan around the ribs (not over the rub).
Cover and slow-bake: Cover tightly with foil. Bake for 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes, until very tender. You want a skewer or knife to slide in with little resistance, not just meat pulling back from the bones.
Make the sauce: While ribs bake, stir together BBQ sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire, vinegar, Dijon, soy sauce, hot sauce (if using), and garlic. Warm in a small saucepan over low heat for 3 to 5 minutes, then turn off heat and stir in the butter.
Glaze and finish uncovered: Remove foil. Brush ribs with sauce. Raise oven temp to 400°F (same rack position) and bake uncovered for 10 minutes. Brush again with sauce and bake another 5 to 10 minutes until sticky.
Broil for crisp edges (watch closely): Broil 1 to 3 minutes until the edges bubble and caramelize. Do not walk away.
Rest and serve: Rest ribs for 10 minutes. Slice between bones, add a final brush of warm sauce, and serve.

Optional move for extra richness: Skim a spoonful of the pan juices and stir it into your sauce. It tastes like you knew exactly what you were doing.

Beef ribs being brushed with sauce on a baking sheet with a silicone brush

Nutrition information is estimated.

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