Easy Southern Style Ribs Recipe (Oven Baked & Grilled)

This Easy Southern Style Ribs Recipe gives you flavorful meat that’s fall off the bone tender and so, so SO delicious! With a slow cooking process in the oven, a flavorful dry rub, and a final sear on the grill or in the oven under the broiler, these southern style ribs are packed with smoky, sweet, and tangy southern flavors that the whole family will love.

Why You'll Love these Southern Ribs 

If you’re looking for the best way to make Southern Style Ribs that are both foolproof and packed with flavor, this is it! 

The slow cooking process at a low temperature ensures fork tender meat that practically melts in your mouth. 

And whether you use baby back ribs, spare ribs, or even boneless country-style ribs, this method works like a charm.

Like traditional ribs, this easy southern recipe requires minimal effort!  Just season your ribs, bake slow and low for a couple of hours, finish with a layer of homemade barbecue sauce (or your favorite bbq sauce) before crisping them up under the broiler or on the grill. 

So let's get to it before our fingers get too sticky!

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Ribs: You can use baby back ribs, spare ribs, or boneless pork ribs. If using boneless ribs, reduce the cooking time slightly. If you're looking for a country style pork ribs recipe, this recipe also works for that but the preperation is a little different. Be sure to check out my notes in the recipe card.
• Dry Rub: You can use a store bought dry rub or try my easy dry rub for ribs recipe! It's made with a blend of simple ingredients like brown sugar,  black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, dry mustard and a few other spices to create the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and smoky. Chili powder and cayenne pepper are also optional if you prefer a spicy rub!
• Homemade BBQ Sauce: I love using my homemade southern barbecue sauce, but you can swap it for your favorite barbecue sauce from the grocery store.
• Aluminum Foil: Helps create an airtight container for steaming the ribs, locking in moisture for tender meat.
• OPTIONAL ADDITIONS - my recipe doesn't require any of these steps but if you want to add some extra steps - you do you, baby!
  • Liquid Smoke (optional): Adds extra smoky flavor without needing a smoker.
  • Cider Vinegar: Balances the sweetness of the dry rub and the richness of the ribs.
  • Dijon Mustard: Helps the seasoning stick and adds a subtle tang.

How to Make It

PREP THE RIBS: Pat the racks of ribs dry with paper towels, then remove the fat membrane from the bottom of the ribs. If this is your first time doing it, check out this easy youtube tutorial for removing the fat membrane.

SEASON THE RIBS: Place ribs on a baking sheet, bone side up, and sprinkle ½ of the dry rub onto the backs of the ribs then rub it in. Flip the ribs over and evenly coat with the remaining dry rub, massaging and patting into the meat to lock in flavor.

LET THEM REST: Allow the ribs to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes, or refrigerate them for up to 24 hours for deeper flavor.

BAKE LOW & SLOW: Preheat the oven temperature to 275F. Wrap the sheet pan (or the individual racks of ribs) tightly with aluminum foil, sealing them well to create an airtight container. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast for 2.5-3 hours until bone tender.

LET THEM REST: Remove from the oven and let them rest for 10 minutes before unwrapping.

SAUCE & CARAMELIZE: Brush with homemade bbq sauce or your favorite bbq sauce. Then:

• Broiler Method: Place under the broiler for a couple of minutes until caramelized.
• Oven Method: Bake at 425F for 15-20 minutes.
• Grill Method: Sear on a super hot grill for a few minutes until the sides of the ribs are caramelized and slightly charred.

SERVE & ENJOY: Add another coating of bbq sauce before serving.

What to serve with BBQ Southern Ribs?

Here are a few of my favorite delicious recipes to serve with these southern style ribs. 

• Macaroni Salad with Peas and Cheese
• Dill Pickle Potato Salad
• Collard Greens
• Fried Corn
• Field Peas and Snaps
• Honey Butter Biscuits
• Deviled Eggs with Relish
• my go-to Baked Beans Recipe

Recipe

Easy Southern Style Ribs Recipe (Oven Baked & Grilled)

This Easy Southern Style Ribs Recipe gives you tender meat that’s bone tender and fall-off-the-bone delicious! With a slow cooking process in a low oven, a flavorful dry rub, and a final sear on the grill or under the broiler, these country ribs are packed with smoky, sweet, and tangy flavor that the whole family will love.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs

Course Main Course, meat

Cuisine north american, southern

Servings 6 servings

Equipment

• Large Baking Sheet
• Tinfoil
• Gas Grill optional

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 3 lb Rack of Ribs (it can be slightly over or under this amount)
• 1 recipe Dry Rub for Ribs
• 1 recipe Southern BBQ Sauce

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Instructions

 

• Pat ribs dry with paper towels and remove the fat membrane from the bottom of the ribs. (There is a video linked above if needed)
• Place ribs on a large baking sheet lined with tinfoil, bone side up, and coat with ½ of the dry rub. Flip and coat the meaty side with the remaining half of the dry rub.
• Let ribs sit at room temperature for 30 minutes or refrigerate and marinate for up to 24 hours.
• When ready to cook, preheat the oven temperature to 275F.
• Wrap the sheet pan (or the individual racks of ribs) tightly with aluminum foil, then place in the preheated oven for 2.5-3 hours or until fork tender.
• Once fork tender, remove from the oven and let them sit for 10 minutes before unwrapping.
• Brush with homemade bbq sauce or favorite bbq sauce.
• At this point, you can either use the oven or a grill to caramelize the barbecue sauce.

  If using the oven: Bake at 425F for 15-20 minutes until caramelized OR place under the broiler for a few minutes.

  If using the grill: Sear on a super hot grill for a few minutes per side.
• Brush on another layer of bbq sauce before serving.

Notes

For Country Style Ribs - follow the process as written but bake at 300F for 1-2 hours until fork tender then continue the recipe as directed.

Keyword bbq, ribs, southern food

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