Pork Spare Ribs in the Oven

Low and slow cooking gives you super tender, juicy, fall-off-the-bone pork spare ribs with very little hands-on time and full-on flavor!

Pork spare ribs have long been my go-to for ribs. The meat is rich, flavorful, and the perfect vessel for your favorite BBQ sauce or spice rub.

Now, I know that they say patience is a virtue, and in this case, it really is. These spare ribs start with a super flavorful dry spice rub before they head into the oven for a nice slow cook, (but not too long, just a couple hours and you’ll have the tastiest ribs!) then they get a quick finish with your favorite BBQ sauce.

Trust me, the wait is worth it! 

Ingredients Notes and Substitutions

Here’s what you’ll need to make these juicy, flavor-packed spare ribs:

• Spare Ribs – you’ll start with 3 ½ pounds of pork spare ribs
• Coconut Sugar – 2 tablespoons of coconut sugar add a nuttiness and the perfect amount of sweetness to the rub.
• Paprika – 1 tablespoon of paprika gives a subtly sweet and peppery taste.
• Garlic Powder – a ½ tablespoon of garlic powder adds depth and fullness of flavor. 
• Onion Powder – a ½ tablespoon of onion powder enhances the savory notes of the rub.
• Cumin – a ½ tablespoon of cumin adds richness and warmth. 
• Chipotle Chili Powder – a ½ tablespoon of chipotle chili powder gives a subtle heat to the rub.
• Salt – a teaspoon of salt helps bring all the spice flavors together. 
• Pepper – a ¼ teaspoon of pepper adds additional depth and spice.
• Homemade BBQ Sauce

Ingredient Modifications

These ribs really are a blank canvas for flavor! Here are some ideas of how you can adjust depending on what you’re in the mood for:

• Adjust the heat – for more or less spice, adjust the amount of chili powder in the dry rub. 
• Add smokiness – use smoked paprika and ancho chili powder to add a subtle smoky flavor to the rub.
• Sub the coconut sugar – if you want a really traditional rib dry rub, substitute brown sugar for the coconut sugar to get a really caramelized cook on the ribs.
• Use a different sauce –  the options are endless here! Use your favorite homemade or store bought sauce for your ribs. Here are some ideas for different takes on BBQ sauce: Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce, Keto BBQ Sauce, Paleo BBQ Sauce.

How to Cook Ribs in the Oven

The process is so easy and only takes a few minutes of prep. Here’s how you’ll cook your spare ribs in the oven:

1. Preheat the oven – to 275℉. For super easy clean-up, prep your baking sheet by lining it with foil and then adding a layer of parchment paper (this is completely optional). 
2. Make the dry rub – while the oven is preheating, add all the spices for the dry rub to a bowl and whisk together. 
3. Rub the ribs – generously season both sides of the rib rack with your dry rub and place them meat side up on your prepared baking sheet. 
4. Cover and bake – cover your baking sheet with foil and bake for 3 hours. The steam will help cook your ribs and keep them moist, so resist the urge to peek at your ribs while they are cooking.
5. Make BBQ Sauce – if you’re preparing a homemade BBQ sauce, prepare your sauce while the ribs cook and then store it in the fridge.
6. Coat the ribs – once the ribs have finished cooking, remove the top foil and coat the top of the ribs in BBQ sauce. 
7. Increase heat and finish cooking – bump the heat on the oven up to 350℉ and cook your ribs uncovered for an additional 3-5 minutes to help caramelize the sauce. Watch carefully so that you don’t burn the BBQ sauce. 
8. Serve and enjoy! – remove the ribs from the oven, serve and enjoy!

Dry rub or BBQ sauce?

I know people feel strongly about this, and geography tends to play a big role (there is a big difference between Memphis-style ribs and St. Louis-style ribs), but I say both! And, it really comes down to preference.

If you like a “neater” rib (because BBQ sauce gets messy, there’s no way around it!), use the dry rub and then finish the ribs uncovered at the end to add some caramelization and crisp to the outside. You can also season your ribs with a simple salt and pepper, cook them, then add your favorite BBQ sauce to finish them.

I personally love the flavor of both the rub and the sauce on the meat. 

What to Serve with Ribs

These ribs are super tasty along with a wide variety of sides. Some of my favorites include Instant Pot mashed potatoes, German potato salad, creamy green apple coleslaw, or gluten-free cornbread.