Baby Back Ribs With Dry Rub Recipe

1. 1

   Heat the oven to 300u00b0F. Line a rimmed sheet pan completely with foil. Now lay another extra-long piece of foil, dull side facing up, down the middle (this is what we'll use to bundle the ribs, so make sure it's big enough to envelope them completely).

2. 2

   Make the spice rub: Combine the paprika, mustard, brown sugar, garlic powder, and salt in a small bowl. Mix until completely smooth, with no remaining lumps. Transfer 3 tablespoons of this mixture to a another small bowl for later.

3. 3

   Place the ribs, meaty side down, on the big piece of foil. You'll notice a thin, transparent membrane covering the bones. Use a pair of kitchen shears to snip open the membrane, then use your hands to ease your way under it, then pull it completely off the ribs.

4. 4

   Grab the larger bowl of spice mixture and rub it all over the ribs-top, bottom, and sides. With the meaty side facing up, bundle the ribs in the larger piece of foil. (Double wrap if you need-just make sure there are no gaps for the juices to escape from, since you'll be flipping the ribs halfway through.) Start roasting with the meaty side facing up.

5. 5

   Roast the ribs in the foil package for 2 hours, carefully flipping halfway through, until the meat is fork or toothpick tender.

6. 6

   Once they're tender, remove the ribs from the oven and crank up the heat to 500u00b0F. While the oven is coming up to temperature, open the ribs' package (watch out for steam!), and transfer the ribs, meaty side facing up, to a cutting board. Now carefully pour all the juices from the sheet pan into a heatproof cup or bowl (we'll use these soon). Throw away the foil from the ribs' package and the foil covering the pan; carefully line the pan with a fresh sheet of foil (or not, but I prefer an easier cleanup). Return the ribs to the newly lined sheet pan, meaty side facing up, and sprinkle the remaining 3 tablespoons of spice mixture evenly on top. Use a spoon to gently pat the spice mixture down, encouraging it to dissolve.

7. 7

   When the oven is at 500u00b0F, get the ribs back in-this time completely uncovered. Roast for 10 minutes until the top is starting to crisp up and dry out. Remove the ribs from the oven and lightly brush the top with the reserved juices (you won't use them all). Get the ribs back in the oven and continue to bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the top is crispy.

8. 8

   Transfer to a cutting board and let cool for a few minutes. To cut, flip the rack upside-down, so the bony side is facing up. This makes it a lot easier to cut neatly cut between each bone. Serve hot, with the extra pan juices alongside if you want.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.