The very best recipe for easy fall off the bone ribs with rave reviews every time! It’s no wonder because they are delicious! A simple spice mix combining both sweet and spicy components are blended together; the pork ribs are massaged with the spices and baked for a bit. After, they are brushed with your favourite barbecue sauce and grilled.
I’ve made this easy rib recipe a SO many times before now and I was always thinking that I have to share it with you all. By the time they were done, I’d just want to dig in!
Wait no longer, I tells ya! The spice blend is simply a bunch of spices you probably have on hand in your pantry (oregano, paprika, brown sugar, cayenne pepper and good stuff like that).
Note: I do use a fair bit of cayenne pepper, but you can use less if you like (or not at all).
I prepared these ribs on Saturday while having a super casual day (hey, it’s how I roll in the summer). Plus, we are actually getting to enjoy our deck a lot more. Why, you ask? Well, we (hubby) stripped the stain from our deck; it was peeling off ever so badly. Now, it looks brand spankin’ new!
We have our deck furniture out there, some potted plants and our new propane fire pit. Oh, good times! We can actually enjoy our outdoor area for the limited time we are nice weather ’round here. Don’t you just love summer?
Do I Have To Remove the Membrane on Ribs?
Pork ribs have a little thin layer of membrane on the back (or underside) of them.
You’ll want to remove the silverskin from ribs (it’s easy to do so) because it can be tough to chew. So, take the few minutes and remove before baking and you will be happy you did!
Best Dry Rub for Ribs
I like to keep things simple when making a dry rub for ribs and use pantry staples (while still adding tons of flavour). For this spice blend I use:
- Brown sugar
- Cayenne pepper
- Chili powder
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Oregano
- Paprika
- Mustard powder
- Salt and pepper
Tip: If you don’t like things spicy, feel free to add less cayenne pepper. If you like things more spicy, add more. You do what you enjoy best!
How to Prepare Pork Ribs for the Oven
Generously massage the dry rub on your fat-trimmed ribs, wrap in parchment paper, a little aluminum foil and throw in the oven (okay, not literally throw, but you get the drift).
The parchment paper acts as a little steamer for those ribs and keeps the moisture where it should be, in the meat.
I like to place the package in a casserole dish to catch any liquid that may leak out
How Long Should I Leave the Dry Rub on Before Cooking?
Honestly, most times, I simply rub the ribs with the spice blend and into the oven they go. But, if you have the time, rub the ribs generously with the spice blend, wrap up (per instructions below) and place in the fridge for a couple of hours, even overnight.
Do I Have to Grill the Ribs?
After the cooked ribs come out of the oven, they’re ready to eat. However, I love to coat the ribs with barbecue sauce and grill to get a little char or colour (i.e., flavour), and totally recommend grilling.
I love mine a little extra charred, but you can cook to how you like them.
Do Ribs Need To Rest After Cooking?
Nope, once the ribs are cool enough to eat, dig right in!
Best Sides To Serve With Ribs
- Veggie kabobs
- Mac and cheese
- Grilled corn
- Potato salad
- Pasta Salad
- Green Salad
Hope you love these easy fall off the bone ribs as much as we do! They are in high rotation during the summer months around here.
Oh, don’t forget those napkins cause you’re gonna need them. But, I say when you are eating something like ribs, the messier the better (that just means it tastes extra yummy).
If you make this easy fall off the bone ribs recipe, be sure to leave a comment below!
Easy Fall Off the Bone Ribs (Rave Reviews)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, use less if you prefer less spicy
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 pounds pork side ribs, trimmed of excess fat and silverskin
- ⅓ cup barbecue sauce, approximately (use your favourite variety)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, paprika, cayenne pepper, chili powder, onion powder, mustard powder, garlic powder, oregano, salt and black pepper until well combined.
- Trim ribs of any excess fat and silverskin. Pat spice mixture onto ribs, pressing into meat and covering all over.
- Wrap ribs with parchment paper. Then wrap ribs with aluminum foil. Place into a baking dish (about 9-inch x 5-inch) and bake for 2 hours, 15 minutes to 2 hours, 20 minutes or until fully cooked through. Carefully remove from oven and carefully unwrap (there will be steam).
- Preheat grill to medium-low. Brush one side of ribs with your favourite barbecue sauce. Place barbecue sauce side down on grill and cook for 3 to 5 minutes. Turn and coat other side with barbecue sauce and cook for 3 to 5 minutes more. The ribs are already cooked before grilling; you just want to caramelize/warm the sauce a little. Remove from grill, serve and enjoy!
Notes
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.
Tried this recipe?
If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!
Andrew
Made these today and they fell off the bone. Next time I will cut back on the spices for the but they were still tasty for a first attempt
Dawn | Girl Heart Food
Thank you, Andrew!! Happy you enjoyed the recipe!!
Wayne
Best ribs I ever had. I think they’re better than grilled ribs.
Dawn | Girl Heart Food
Thank you very much, Wayne!! So happy you enjoyed the recipe!!
Jennifer
Since I found this recipe a couple of years ago it’s the only one I use. I’ve now been dubbed best rib maker by everyone. Tip: the parchment paper is the secret….don’t skip this step. Thank you.. truly the very best hands down even compared to a restaurant.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you very much for the kind words, Jennifer!! So happy you enjoy the recipe!! ‘Best rib maker’… that’s awesome!! 🙂
Megan
Love this recipe! How long would I bake with two racks of ribs, approximately 5 pounds.
Caryn
Wow! Are these good! I’ve always been a bit intimidated to make ribs. My husband got a bunch of frozen spareribs St. Louis style so I decided to make some for Labor Day. Found this recipe which was very detailed and fairly easy. They were fantastic! Thank you so much!
Dawn | Girl Heart Food
Thank you very much, Caryn!! So happy you enjoyed the recipe!!
Pria Rose
Going to make these ribs for Mother’s Day this year! I have gotten up to the rub and in the fridge overnight. When they go in the oven, does it matter if you put the meat side down or the bone side down in the baking dish? Also, does making double the amount elongate the bake time due to how much is in the oven? We have an older oven that doesn’t have any fancy additions like convection or things like that haha. Thanks!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Hi Pria Rose! That’s great! I cook meat side up. If your racks are about the same size as the ones I used (and you just have more of them), baking time should be the same. Perhaps you can separate into two baking dishes instead of piling all the racks into one. Just bake until cooked through and then finish on the grill. Hope you enjoy the recipe! It’s a favourite around here. 🙂
Vivian Bannon
I am planning on making these ribs this weekend. Wondering what kind of BBQ sauce you use or do you make your own!!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
So happy to hear that, Vivian 🙂 Use your favourite bbq sauce or a homemade one (there’s a blueberry bbq sauce on my site that would pair wonderfully). Hope you love them!
Pria Rose
Hi Dawn! I didn’t see your comment in time and ended up baking them meat side down. They still turned out delicious! I left them in the oven a tad longer thinking it may need a little more time, but turns out they got a tiny bit dry in areas because of that. Since the oven stayed at 325, I should’ve known that it would take the same time. It wasn’t a total mess up though, they were great!! The family really loved them and I will be sharing this recipe with friends and family for more rib dinners to come!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
So happy to hear that you all enjoyed the recipe! Thanks for letting me know! Have a wonderful day. 🙂
Trisha
Could I use this recipe with beef ribs as well, would I need to change anything?
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Hi Trisha! I haven’t use beef ribs in lieu of pork ribs for this recipe before. I would think that the spice rub would work well with beef ribs too. However, because they are two different types of proteins, I would imagine cook time would vary, so I can’t speak on that. If you do try, love to hear how they turn out for you 🙂
Lucy
I heated them in oven and will bbq them tomorrow to save time. Is that ok to do?
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Hi Lucy! I usually just cook them in the oven and right to the grill, but that should be a-ok too 🙂 Definitely a great idea to save time! Hope you love ’em!
Brandy
Best ribs I’ve ever made!! I have not made ribs any other way since discovering this recipe.
Girl Heart Food
Thank you so much, Brandy – made my day to hear that 🙂 They’re a favourite in our home, especially in the summer months. Really happy you enjoy them too!!
Claire
These really were falling off the bone.
The brown sugar rub was just amazing!!!
SOOO GOOD
Thank you for such a great recipe.
Patty
Wow these rib look delicious, perfectly cooked and fall off the bone, just how we like them! Love the spice blend too! Really a must try!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Patty! Hope you enjoy them as much as we do 🙂
Sheila
We had a wonderful time last night with these tender and delicious ribs. My family kept asking me for the secret and I directed them to your blog for amazing and easy recipe. Thank you for sharing.
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Sheila! Happy to hear that you enjoyed them!!
Thao @ In Good Flavor
I am a sucker for falling off the bone meat. These ribs look mouth-watering! Your spice rub sounds wonderful!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you so much Thao 🙂 !!
Kate | My Little Larder
These look so delicious and I just love how easy they are to make. Can’t wait for summer to get out the grill and make these!
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Kate! They are pretty delicious!!
Miriam - londonkitchendiaries.com
Your fall-off-the bone ribs are right up my alley! Love the combination of sweet and spicy and I completely agree with you – the messier the better 🙂 Summer is all about al fresco eating but I am totally with you when it comes to crawlies … Have a lovely weekend, Dawn!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Miriam!! Glad I’m not the only one 😉 Have a lovely weekend too!