These Chipotle BBQ Ribs are just one of those super easy Sunday dinners you can toss in the oven and let cook while you check off your to-do list. I used homemade Chipotle BBQ Sauce, but to make this even easier, use your favorite store-bought sauce.
The first time I made baby back ribs in the oven, I was surprised by how easy they were to make. The trick is low and slow. The ribs cook at 275F for 2+ hours.
The only thing tricky about this recipe is peeling off the membrane from the back of the ribs, but I linked to a video in the recipe notes that will make that a breeze!
If you want more easy, relaxing Sunday dinner recipes, try my One Pot Creamy Ground Beef Pasta or Layered Chicken Enchilada Casserole.
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Ingredients & Substitutions
- Baby Back Ribs - Baby back ribs are tender, flavorful, and perfect for cooking in the oven. If you can’t find them, you can also use St. Louis-style ribs or spare ribs. Check out the section below for tips on cooking other cuts of ribs!
- Smoked Paprika - I love using smoked paprika to give it a little smoky flavor you miss out on by cooking these in the oven. If you're not a fan of the smoked flavor, use regular paprika for both the BBQ sauce and to season the ribs.
- Worcestershire Sauce - Adds sweet, salty, tangy, and umami flavors. No Worcestershire? Use soy sauce and add a little more sugar to balance the flavor.
- Apple Cider Vinegar - You can swap apple cider vinegar out with rice wine or red wine vinegar. If using white vinegar, reduce to 3 tablespoons as it’s more tart.
Full ingredient list with quantities in the recipe card below
How to Make Oven Baked Chipotle BBQ Ribs
Step 1 | Prepare Your Baby Back Ribs
Remove the thin white membrane from the back of the ribs. Trim any excess fat if needed and cut them into 2–4 sections for easier handling, if desired.
Step 2 | Season & Bake
Pat dry, oil, and season the ribs. Place the meaty side up on a baking sheet, cover tightly with foil, and bake for 2+ hours until the meat easily pulls from the bone.
Step 3 | Make Chipotle BBQ Sauce
While the ribs bake, prepare the BBQ sauce by blending all sauce ingredients in a blender until smooth.
Step 4 | Brush Ribs with Sauce
Brush the ribs with ¼ cup BBQ sauce and bake uncovered at 325°F for 15 minutes. Add another ¼ cup, broil for 3–4 minutes, and caramelize the sauce.
Can You Use Other Ribs?
Baby back ribs are leaner and smaller than other rib cuts, making them perfect for oven baking. But if you can’t find baby back ribs, other work great too!
- Spare Ribs: These are larger and have more fat than baby back ribs. You may want to cook them about 30–40 minutes longer, check on them at the 2-hour mark.
- St. Louis-Style Ribs: These are larger, flatter, and have more fat than baby back ribs. You may want to cook them about 20-30 minutes longer. Check on them at the 2-hour mark.
Prep Ahead of Time!
Prep: You can repair and season the ribs up to 24 hours and make the BBQ sauce up to 3 days in advance.
Store: Keep the seasoned ribs and BBQ sauce in the fridge until you’re ready to cook.
Cook: Follow the recipe as written—no need to adjust the cooking time.
Sides
I love pairing my spicy BBQ chipotle BBQ ribs with thick seasoned Potato Wedges. You can also do a Simple Side Salad or Potato Salad.
Have you tried this recipe yet? I'd love to know how it turned out! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below or tag @MeganVsKitchen on social.
Easy Oven Baked Chipotle BBQ Ribs
Ingredients
Ribs
- 2.75-3 pounds baby back ribs
- 1 tablespoon olive or avocado oil
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- 1 teaspoons ground pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Chipotle BBQ Sauce
- ⅔ cups ketchup
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2-3 3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce use 2 for a milder kick
- 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 275°F. Line a large baking sheet with foil.
- Remove the thin white membrane from the back of the ribs by sliding a small knife under it and peeling it off. Trim any excess fat if needed and cut them into 2–4 sections for easier handling, if desired.
- Pat the ribs dry with a paper towel.
- Brush the meaty side of the ribs with oil.
- In a small bowl, mix smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over the ribs.
- Place the ribs on the prepared baking sheet, meaty side up, and cover the pan tightly with foil.
- Bake for 2 hours. Check for tenderness by piercing the meat with a sharp knife or bending the ribs gently. The meat should pull away from the bone with little resistance. If not tender, cook for another 20–30 minutes.
- While the ribs bake, prepare the BBQ sauce by blending all sauce ingredients in a blender until smooth.
- Remove the ribs from the oven and increase the temperature to 325°F.
- Brush the ribs with ¼ cup of the BBQ sauce and bake, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
- Brush with another ¼ cup of sauce, then set the oven to broil and cook for an additional 3–4 minutes to caramelize the sauce.
- Serve the ribs hot with the remaining BBQ sauce on the side.
Notes
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- Spare Ribs: These are larger and have more fat than baby back ribs. You may want to cook them about 30–40 minutes longer, check on them at the 2-hour mark.
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- St. Louis-Style Ribs: These are larger, flatter, and have more fat than baby back ribs. You may want to cook them about 20-30 minutes longer. Check on them at the 2-hour mark.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and may vary based on the ingredients used.
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