Oven-Baked Ribs

Steps

• Prep: Heat the oven to 150°C (300°F). Remove the thin membrane from the underside of each rack, if present, for more tender ribs.

  Tip: The membrane doesn't break down the way the meat does, and left on it can make the underside noticeably tough and chewy.

• Rub: Combine the rub ingredients and pat all over both racks.
• Bake: Wrap each rack tightly in foil, place on a baking sheet, and bake until very tender.
  ⏱ Start 150 min timer

  Tip: The foil traps steam that speeds along the same collagen breakdown as a braise, while also protecting the ribs from drying out during this long stage.

• Prep: Unwrap the ribs and turn the oven up to 220°C (425°F).
• Sauce: Brush generously with BBQ sauce and return to the oven, uncovered, basting once more partway through, until the sauce is glossy and set.
  ⏱ Start 15 min timer

  Tip: Only now does the sauce go on — the same reasoning as the BBQ baked drumsticks: too long in the oven and its sugar scorches before the meat needs it to.