Barbecue ribs are a classic summer staple, but what if you don’t have access to a grill or smoker? Don’t worry, you can still make juicy, flavorful ribs in your oven or crockpot using a few simple tricks. Learning how to prepare ribs without barbecue can open up a world of possibilities and allow you to enjoy this tasty dish year-round. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through everything you need to know to prepare mouthwatering oven-baked or slow-cooked ribs that are just as good as what the barbecue joint serves up.
What You’ll Need
Before we get started, let’s go over the necessary equipment and ingredients for oven and crockpot ribs:
Equipment:
– Baking sheet or roasting pan – Used for oven ribs
– Crockpot/slow cooker – Used for slow-cooked ribs
– Aluminum foil – Helps ribs cook evenly
– Meat thermometer – Ensures ribs are fully cooked
Ingredients:
– Pork spare ribs or baby back ribs
– Dry rub – A homemade or store-bought blend of spices and herbs
– Barbecue sauce (optional) – For basting and glazing
– Chicken or beef stock – Keeps the ribs moist as they cook
– Liquid smoke (optional) – Adds a subtle smoky flavor
Now that you know what to have on hand, let’s get into the different methods for cooking ribs without a grill!
Oven-Baked Ribs
One of the easiest ways to prepare ribs indoors is in the oven. Here are step-by-step instructions for oven-baked ribs:
Prep the Ribs
– Start by removing the thin membrane from the underside of the ribs. This will make them more tender. Use a butter knife to loosen the membrane then pull it off with a paper towel.
– Pat the ribs dry with paper towels and lightly coat with oil. This helps the rub adhere.
Apply a Dry Rub
– Sprinkle a dry rub evenly all over the ribs on both sides. Use about 1-2 tablespoons total per rack of ribs.
– Gently rub the seasoning into the meat. Popular rib rub ingredients include brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, garlic and onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Cook the Ribs
– Place the seasoned ribs on a baking sheet or in a roasting pan bone-side down.
– Add 1 cup of chicken or beef stock to the bottom of the pan to keep the ribs moist.
– Cover tightly with foil and bake for 2 hours at 300°F. This allows the ribs to become very tender.
Uncover and Finish
– Remove the foil and drain any liquid from the pan.
– Brush the ribs with your favorite barbecue sauce.
– Place them back in the oven uncovered for 15-30 minutes until nicely browned and sticky.
– Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes before slicing individual ribs apart to serve.
The low and slow cooking method delivers juicy, fall-off-the-bone oven baked ribs full of flavor. Play around with different spice rubs and sauce glazes until you find your perfect oven rib recipe.
Crockpot Ribs
For even more convenience, you can make barbecue-style ribs in a crockpot or slow cooker. The long, gradual cooking tenderizes the meat. Here’s how:
Prep the Ribs
– Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs first.
– Cut racks in half or thirds to fit in your crockpot if needed.
– Pat the ribs dry and lightly coat with oil.
Season the Ribs
– Rub your favorite spice mix all over the ribs on both sides. Use about 1-2 tablespoons per rack.
– For extra flavor, let the rubbed ribs sit for 10-20 minutes before cooking.
Cook on Low
– Place ribs in crockpot meat-side down.
– Add 1/2 cup of broth or water to the bottom of the pot.
– Cook on low for 6-8 hours until ribs are very tender.
Finish in Oven
– Transfer ribs to a baking sheet and pat dry.
– Brush barbecue sauce generously on both sides.
– Place in a 400°F oven for 15 minutes until sauce caramelizes.
Serve
– Remove ribs from oven, slice, and serve while hot.
The crockpot does most of the work for you, creating fall-off-the-bone tender ribs. Play with different rub and sauce combinations to find your perfect crockpot rib recipe.
Choosing the Right Ribs
Deciding between spare ribs and baby back ribs comes down to a matter of taste and cooking times. Here’s how the two popular rib options compare:
Spare Ribs
– From lower rib cage near belly
– More fat marbling for flavor
– Need longer cook time – 3+ hours
– More bone, meat doesn’t fall off as easily
– Fuller pork rib flavor
Baby Back Ribs
– From upper rib near loin
– Leaner with less fat
– Shorter cook time – 2-3 hours
– Tend to be more tender
– Subtler pork flavor
While spare ribs have more intense pork flavor, baby backs tend to be more naturally tender. Cook times may need to be adjusted based on the thickness and cut of ribs used.
Top 5 Dry Rub Recipes
A good dry rub is key to flavorful ribs. While you can use a store-bought rib seasoning, it’s easy to make your own signature blend at home. Here are 5 highly rated dry rub recipes to try on your oven or crockpot ribs:
Basic Barbecue Rib Rub
Ingredients:
– 2 tablespoons brown sugar
– 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
– 1 tablespoon garlic powder
– 1 tablespoon onion powder
– 2 teaspoons salt
– 1 teaspoon black pepper
– 1 teaspoon chili powder
– 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Coffee-Chili Rib Rub
Ingredients:
– 3 tablespoons brown sugar
– 1 tablespoon finely ground coffee
– 1 tablespoon ancho chili powder
– 1 tablespoon paprika
– 2 teaspoons garlic powder
– 2 teaspoons onion powder
– 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
– 1 teaspoon black pepper
Memphis Dry Rub
Ingredients:
– 1/4 cup brown sugar
– 3 tablespoons smoked paprika
– 2 tablespoons garlic powder
– 2 tablespoons onion powder
– 1 tablespoon salt
– 2 teaspoons black pepper
– 2 teaspoons mustard powder
– 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Kansas City Rib Rub
Ingredients:
– 1/4 cup brown sugar
– 3 tablespoons smoked paprika
– 2 teaspoons garlic powder
– 2 teaspoons onion powder
– 1 teaspoon ground cumin
– 1 teaspoon black pepper
– 3/4 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
Spicy Sriracha Rib Rub
Ingredients:
– 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
– 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
– 1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce
– 1 tablespoon garlic powder
– 1 tablespoon onion powder
– 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
– 1 teaspoon black pepper
Feel free to experiment with your own blends using spices you have on hand until you find your perfect combination. Apply the dry rub generously on both sides of the ribs before cooking.
Top Barbecue Sauce Options
While dry rub provides the base of flavor, barbecue sauce is what gives oven and crockpot ribs that sticky, finger-lickin’ glaze. Brush your favorite sauce on during the last 15-30 minutes of cooking. Here are top sauce ideas:
Classic Sweet & Tangy Barbecue Sauce
This mildly spicy ketchup-based sauce provides balance between sweet and tangy flavors.
Ingredients:
– 1 cup ketchup
– 1/4 cup brown sugar
– 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
– 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
– 1 tablespoon molasses
– 1 teaspoon mustard powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Thick & Sticky Bourbon Barbecue Sauce
The addition of bourbon gives this sauce a smoky, whiskey flavor.
Ingredients:
– 1 cup ketchup
– 1/2 cup bourbon
– 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
– 1/4 cup light brown sugar
– 3 tablespoons molasses
– 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
– 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1 teaspoon onion powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Spicy Chipotle Barbecue Sauce
Chipotles in adobo sauce provide smoky heat to this sauce.
Ingredients:
– 1 cup ketchup
– 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
– 2 tablespoons brown sugar
– 1 to 2 chipotles in adobo sauce, minced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon adobo sauce
– 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Tangy Mustard Barbecue Sauce
The addition of mustard gives this sauce a tangy zip.
Ingredients:
– 3/4 cup ketchup
– 1/4 cup yellow mustard
– 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
– 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
– 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
– 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
– 1 clove garlic, minced
– 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Honey Sriracha Barbecue Sauce
For a sauce with both sweet and heat, combine honey and Sriracha.
Ingredients:
– 3/4 cup ketchup
– 1/4 cup honey
– 3 tablespoons Sriracha
– 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
– 1 tablespoon soy sauce
– 1 teaspoon sesame oil
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
– 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
– 1/4 teaspoon pepper
The sauce possibilities are endless. Use these recipes as inspiration to create your own signature barbecue sauce at home.
Oven vs. Crockpot Ribs Comparison
Both the oven and crockpot allow you to make tender, juicy ribs indoors, but they each have their pros and cons. Here is a side-by-side comparison:
| Oven Ribs | Crockpot Ribs | |
|---|---|---|
| Cook time | 2-3 hours | 6-8 hours |
| User involvement | Medium – need to check periodically | Low – mostly walk away |
| Char level | Light char if uncovered at end | No char |
| Moisture level | Can dry out if not careful | Very moist |
| Flavor depth | Moderate | Very deep flavor |
| Texture | Moderately tender | Fall-off-the-bone tender |
For most weeknight meals, crockpot ribs are the easier, fuss-free cooking method. Oven ribs require more hands-on time but allow you to develop flavor through charring. Choose your preferred method based on time constraints and texture preferences.
Tips for Maximum Flavor
Follow these handy tips for infusing your oven or crockpot ribs with the most flavor possible:
– Apply rub generously on all sides and let sit for 10-20 minutes before cooking if time allows. This helps the seasonings penetrate deeper.
– Sprinkle a dash of rub and/or brown sugar on the ribs during the last 15 minutes while saucing. This creates a nice crust.
– Look for rubs and sauces with umami flavor boosters like Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, liquid smoke, etc.
– Add a splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to your sauce. The acidity brightens other flavors.
– For smoky flavor without a grill, use smoked paprika, chipotle peppers, or a few drops of liquid smoke in the rub or sauce.
– Sear or char ribs briefly on the stovetop before oven roasting for bonus flavor layers.
– Let cooked ribs rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting to allow juices to redistribute.
With the right cooking tricks and flavor combinations, you can enjoy backyard barbecue-worthy ribs using just your oven or crockpot any time a rib craving strikes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature should I cook ribs in the oven?
Cook ribs around 300°F for best results. This lower temp helps break down connective tissue over 2-3 hours so they become tender. You can briefly broil at the very end to char.
Should ribs be cooked covered or uncovered?
It’s best to cover ribs with foil for most of the oven cooking time to keep them moist. Remove foil toward the end to glaze and char the outsides if desired.
Do I need to add liquid to the crockpot?
Yes, add 1/2 cup broth, water, or other liquid to the bottom of the crockpot to help steam and braise the ribs as they cook on low for 6-8 hours.
How can I make oven or crockpot ribs more tender?
Long, slow cooking times and removing the membrane allow ribs to reach peak tenderness. Also look for ribs with good marbling or enhanced with solution for extra moisture.
What wood chips can I use to add smoke flavor?
Soak wood chips like hickory, oak, applewood, mesquite, or pecan in water for 30 minutes then wrap in foil with holes poked on top. Add to oven or crockpot for a smoky nuance.
What sides go well with oven or crockpot ribs?
Classic rib pairings include cornbread, coleslaw, baked beans, mac and cheese, collard greens, cornbread salad, and fresh watermelon.
Conclusion
While BBQ ribs may taste best hot off the smoker, you can still achieve juicy, flavorful ribs at home without owning fancy equipment. Seasoning the ribs well with a homemade dry rub, slow cooking them in the oven or crockpot, then brushing on your favorite barbecue sauce delivers tender results full of smoky, sweet and savory flavor. With the proper techniques and a dash of creativity, oven and crockpot ribs can be just as satisfying as those cooked low and slow on the grill.