Enjoying the messy, delicious goodness of ribs is a summer staple. If you don’t have a grill or smoker at your disposal, you can still create mouthwatering ribs using your oven.

Start by making a dry rub full of spices to give the meat a balanced, sweet and savory flavor. Brown sugar is a must, as it is less sweet and provides more flavor than white sugar.

It will caramelize nicely as the ribs cook, eventually forming a delicious crust. You also need enough salt in your rub to season the meat and draw its flavors out.

Ribs cooked inside don't get access to smoke, so you can use smoked paprika, mustard powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper to impart some smoky and spicy flavors.

Ribs are rich in collagen and connective tissue, so it’s essential to cook them at a low temperature for an extended period to break down, render the fat, and become tender.

Roast your uncovered ribs for several hours at 250 to 300 F so the rub browns and crisps. Check on them periodically to make sure they aren't cooking too quickly and burning.