BBQ Boneless Pork Ribs in the Oven

Craving that smoky BBQ flavor but don't want to fire up the grill? These BBQ Boneless Pork Ribs in the oven are the perfect solution! This easy recipe brings all the delicious taste of barbecue right to your kitchen. In just over an hour, you'll have tender, juicy pork ribs coated in your favorite BBQ sauce, no grill required.

These oven-baked ribs are great for family dinners, game days, or any time you're in the mood for some comfort food. With a simple spice rub and your choice of barbecue sauce, you can customize the flavors to suit your taste. Plus, the oven does most of the work, leaving you free to prepare your favorite sides or just relax while dinner cooks.

These BBQ Boneless Pork Ribs are a favorite in our house. They're so tender and flavorful that it's hard to believe they weren't cooked on a smoker or grill. The best part? You can enjoy them year-round, regardless of the weather outside. We also enjoy these Instant Pot Apple BBQ Side Ribs.

I love serving these ribs for weekend family dinners. We often pair them with classic BBQ sides, such as coleslaw, green beans, baked beans, and corn on the cob. It's a meal that brings everyone to the table with smiles on their faces.

These ribs are also great for entertaining. When we have friends over to watch the game, I'll make a big batch and set up a "sauce station" with different BBQ sauces - spicy, sweet, tangy - so everyone can customize their ribs. It's always a hit!

On busy weeknights, these oven-baked ribs are a lifesaver. I can prep the spice rub and coat the ribs in the morning, then pop them in the oven when I get home from work. In about an hour, we have a delicious homemade meal that beats takeout any day. Plus, the leftovers (if there are any!) make great sandwiches for lunch the next day.

Ingredient Notes

See the printable recipe card below for all ingredients, specific measurements, and complete instructions.

• Boneless Pork Ribs - About 3 lbs. You can use regular boneless or country-style. Both work great in this recipe and yield similar results.
• Olive Oil - Helps the spices stick to the meat and keeps it moist during cooking. You can substitute with vegetable oil if needed.
• Garlic Powder - Adds savory flavor without the need for fresh garlic.
• Onion Powder - Gives depth to the seasoning. You can also use dry minced onion if you have it on hand. 
• Smoked Paprika - Adds a smoky flavor without using a grill. Regular paprika works too, but you'll miss out on the smoky flavor.
• Ground Mustard - Brings a tangy kick. Dijon mustard can be substituted if you don't have the powder.
• Salt and Black Pepper - Essential for seasoning.
• Chili Powder - Adds a mild heat and a bit of smokiness.
• Barbecue Sauce - Use your favorite brand! Store-bought works perfectly, or use homemade. I've tested with Original and Hickory Brown Sugar flavors and both were great.

How To Make BBQ Boneless Pork Ribs In Oven

First, preheat your oven to 325℉. This lower temperature ensures the ribs cook slowly and stay tender.

Grab a 9x13" baking dish (or something similar) and place your pork ribs in it in a single layer. Don't overcrowd the dish - you want each rib to have some space around it for even cooking.

Now for the seasoning. In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil and all your spices. This combination will give your ribs that classic BBQ flavor without needing a grill. Use a brush or spoon to coat all sides of each rib with this mixture. Don't be shy - make sure each rib is well-coated for maximum flavor.

Pop the dish into your preheated oven and let the ribs bake for 40-45 minutes. You're looking for an internal temperature of at least 145℉ (63℃) and the ribs should be tender when poked with a fork.

Once they're done, it's time for the BBQ sauce. Take the ribs out of the baking dish and place them on a large baking pan, making sure they're not touching. If you prefer, you can empty the liquid from your original baking dish and continue using that, as long as the ribs have space between them.

Now comes the fun part - slather each rib with your favorite BBQ sauce. Use a brush to coat the tops and sides generously.

Switch your oven to broil at 450℉ (230℃). Place the pan on the top rack and broil for 3-5 minutes. Keep a close eye on them - you want the sauce to get thick and sticky, but not burnt.

After this first broil, take the pan out and flip the ribs over. Brush the bare side with more BBQ sauce and pop them back under the broiler for another 3-5 minutes. If you like your sauce extra thick and sticky, you can repeat this step.

Once you're happy with the sauce consistency, take your ribs out of the oven. Let them rest for a few minutes before serving - this helps the juices redistribute throughout the meat.

Serve these mouthwatering ribs warm alongside your favorite BBQ sides. Coleslaw, baked beans, green beans, potato salad, or corn on the cob are all great options.

Make-Ahead, Storing and Freezing

Make Ahead: You can prepare these ribs in advance to save time on busy days. Season the ribs with the spice mixture and place them in the baking dish. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you're ready to cook, remove from the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking as directed in the recipe.

Store: If you have leftover ribs, let them cool completely before storing. Place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in aluminum foil. They'll keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in a 325°F oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions for a quick meal, although the texture may not be as good as that of oven reheating.

Freeze: After cooking and cooling completely, wrap individual portions or family-sized servings tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then bake in a 325°F oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until hot throughout. If you like, you can brush on additional BBQ sauce before reheating for extra flavor and moisture.

Substitutions and Variations

• Try different BBQ sauces. Experiment with various BBQ sauce flavors like honey mustard, spicy chipotle, or tangy vinegar-based for different flavors.
• Switch up the meat. While this recipe uses boneless pork ribs, you can apply the same method to beef short ribs or even chicken thighs for a different twist.
• Adjust the spice mix. Customize the flavor by adding brown sugar for sweetness, cayenne for heat, or smoked salt for extra smokiness.
• Go sauceless. If you prefer a dry rub style, skip the BBQ sauce entirely and just cook the ribs with the spice mixture.

Recipe Tips

• Pat the ribs dry with paper towels before seasoning. This helps the spice mixture stick better and promotes better browning.
• Don't overcrowd the baking dish. Arranging the ribs in a single layer with some space between them ensures even cooking.
• For more tender ribs, you can cover the baking dish with foil for the first 30 minutes of cooking, then uncover for the remaining time.
• Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. The internal temperature should reach at least 145°F for food safety, but cooking to 160-165°F will yield more tender ribs.
• When broiling, keep a close eye on the ribs. They can quickly go from perfectly caramelized to burnt.
• Let the ribs rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in juicier ribs.
• If your BBQ sauce is on the thinner side, you might want to baste the ribs a couple of times during the broiling process for a thicker coating.
• For easy cleanup, line your baking pan with aluminum foil before broiling the ribs with BBQ sauce.

My ribs came out tough. What went wrong?

Tough ribs usually mean they were overcooked or cooked at too high a temperature. Make sure your oven is accurately calibrated and try reducing the cooking time slightly next time. Also, using a meat thermometer can help ensure you don't overcook them.

Can I cook these ribs in a slow cooker instead?

Yes, you can adapt this recipe for a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. You'll still want to finish them under the broiler to caramelize the BBQ sauce.

Delicious BBQ Boneless Pork Ribs in the Oven require no grill for tender pork ribs, coated in a simple spice rub and smothered in BBQ sauce. These oven-baked ribs deliver all the taste of outdoor grilling with the convenience of cooking in your kitchen. So next time you're craving that classic BBQ goodness, remember you don't need a grill to enjoy juicy, tender ribs!