How Long Do You Cook Spare Ribs In Oven
It all depends on what you are cooking them for. If youre cooking them for a dish that is going to be eaten very quickly, like tacos or burritos, then you dont have to worry about it being too long. However, if youre cooking them for a more leisurely meal, like a steak dinner or pot roast, then it will probably take a little bit longer.
Barbecue Sauce For Pork Ribs
The barbecue sauce in this recipe is used for both glazing and serving. It is literally a plonk and simmer job. Low maintenance and effortless, and really tastes of pure flavour compared to store bought .
It will look like were making a LOT, with the recipe calling for 1 1/2 cups of ketchup. But trust me when I say you want to have more rather than too little. Theres nothing worse than being stingy when glazing the ribs you want to slather generously with abundance without worrying about saving some for serving!
Doneness Cues For Your Baby Back Ribs
Bone Tips: When the ribs are close to being done, the meat will begin to retract, exposing the rib tips. U Shape: Hold the ribs in the middle with tongs. When they are ready, the rack will sag in a reversed U shape. The meat may crack, too, which is a good sign. Rib Twist: Grab an exposed bone tip with your tongs and gently twist. If the bone turns easily, the ribs are done. Toothpick Test: The meat is tender when a toothpick easily penetrates the meat between the ribs.
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Baby Back Vs Spare Ribs
Spare ribs are cut from the bottom portion of the rib cage, while baby backs are cut from the top portion of the rib cage.
Baby back ribs are leaner and cook faster than spare ribs, their heavier counterpart. Some people say spare ribs have richer flavor because they’re more marbled, but baby backs are more popular because they have more meat and are more tender.
When You Want Smoky Grilled Flavor Make Your Baby Back Ribs In The Oven And Finish Them On The Grill Get A Head Start By Baking Them The Day Before And Refrigerating Overnight A Quick 15 Minutes On The Grill Is All It Takes For Crispy On The Outside Tender On The Inside Baby Back Ribs Be Sure To Lather It Up With The Homemade Bbq Sauce

Charlie McKenna is a master BBQ and rubs chef. After graduating from New York’s Culinary Institute of America in 2000, he became a sous chef at two legendary Chicago-based restaurants, Tru and Avenues in the Peninsula Hotel.
His Southern inspiration has won him numerous awards, including in 2007 and 2016 at Memphis in May. While his love of southern cooking has expanded with Southern Revival Hospitality, his restaurant group, it’s his BBQ sauces and rubs that are his true passion. Combined with his early upbringing at his grandmother Lillie’s dinner table, he began and operates Lillie’s Q, a cooking company that provides southern BBQ sauces, rubs, and kettle chips to those who want to bring the southern flair to their own dinner table.
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13.5 poundrack pork loin back ribs
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¼cupyellow mustard
BBQ Rub
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1 ½teaspooncelery seeds
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1 ½teaspooncumin seeds
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1 ½teaspoonyellow mustard seeds
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1 ½teaspooncoriander seed
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¾cupturbinado sugar
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¾cupdark brown sugar
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3tablespoonfine sea salt or kosher salt
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4teaspoononion powder
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1 ½teaspoondried oregano
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1 ½teaspoonground black pepper
BBQ Sauce
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2 ½cupdark brown sugar
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1 ½teaspoonblack pepper
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Pinch cayenne pepper
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Secrets For Tender Ribs In The Oven
Perfectly tender ribs are actually easy to make and the secret is in the method below! Theyre melt-in-your-mouth tender and flavor packed.
Why Youll Love This Recipe
Perfectly glazed sauce with no burning We will cook the spareribs partially covered and then partially uncovered so that the meat is perfectly cooked and the sauce firms up just enough without burning.
Truly tender meat The meat will be the perfect amount of tender. Juicy and properly cooked, but not falling apart and disintegrated.
3 Ingredients All you need here is spare ribs, salt, and barbecue sauce. Use your favorite storebought sauce or make your own BBQ Sauce from scratch. As long as youre using a delicious barbecue sauce, these will have great flavor, and be nicely tender.
Simply baked in one pan in the oven These pork ribs are very straightforward to pull off. We will cook them the entire time in a tray in the oven.
No fancy equipment needed I originally published this method in 2011, back when I didnt have a grill or any fancy meat-cooking equipment. Nothing special is needed to make them. Theyre very easy.
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When Are Ribs Done
Properly cooked rib meat should threaten to crack when held up with tongs, and the bones should be able to be pulled away fairly cleanly with a firm twist. However, the meat should not come separated from the bone without assistance and should not lend itself to be described as “falling off the bone.” A properly cooked rib should be soft and tender but yet still have a slight chew to the meat, much like a very tender steak.
How To Check If The Ribs Are Done
Once the ribs have cooked in the oven for at least 2 hours, open a corner of the foil . Use a fork to pull off a little piece of meat.
If the meat is not tender, they need MORE time. Seal them back up and add another 20-30 minutes and check again.
If they are ready ahead of time, turn the oven off and let them sit for up to 1 hour if you dont open the oven. Perfect fall off the bone ribs.
How long to cook ribs in the oven
My preferred method is a low temperature for a longer period of time. Cook at 275°F 2 hours to 2 ½ hours *preferred methodCook at 300°F 1 ½ hours to 2 hoursCook at 350°F 1 ¼ hours to 1 ½ hours
Do you have to remove the membrane?
No, you dont and some ribs will already have the membrane removed.
What are the best ribs to buy
Baby back ribs or back ribs are the best. Theyre so tender and delicious and we prefer them over spare ribs or side ribs.
How do you make ribs tender?
Cooking low and slow as directed in the recipe below ensures theyre perfect every time!
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat them in the oven, microwave, or air fryer.
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Season & Cook The Ribs In Foil
How To Cook Beef Spare Ribs In The Oven
Because spare ribs tend to be tougher than baby back ribs, and beef ribs tougher than pork, a slower, lower heat is ideal for beef spare ribs. In this case, the magic numbers are:
- 3 1/2 hours at 285 F
How should you prep those spare ribs prior to the slow, steady cooking? Pretty much like the pork baby backs, frankly. Dont be afraid to go off on your own magical flavor journey, but the following recipe will work well for easy, tasty spare ribs. We get spare ribs from the grocery store when possible just because its easier, but for the best racks, go to a butcher.
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp liquid smoke
Method:
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How To Make Slow Baked Pork Ribs
Our slow baked pork ribs arent complicated to make, but they do take time. Make sure you start the process at least three to four hours before serving. Remember, the name of the game here is low and slow in order to achieve peak succulence! Were going to cook it for 2 ½ to 3 hours at 300 degrees. The wait is so worth it!
First things first: heat the oven and make the dry rub.
Give the pork ribs a generous, even coating on both sides with your dry rub, then place them onto a rimmed baking sheet.
Tightly wrap the baking sheet with aluminum foil. Make it good and snug, trapping as much fat and juices as possible so that the meat gets nice and tender. Place them in the oven until theyre practically falling apart.
While youre waiting for your ribs, make the homemade BBQ sauce. Youve got the time, and its so worth it!
Once the pork ribs are done, take them out of the oven and coat them in BBQ sauce before broiling until the BBQ sauce caramelizes. Be sure to keep an eye on them. Weve come this far, we dont want them to burn!
Take those beautiful pork ribs out of the oven, and let them rest for about 10 minutes. Then get ready for a barbecue feast!
How To Make Ribs Tender

Making ribs in your oven can quickly lead to disaster for many home cooks. Ribs by nature are tough pieces of meat. The best ribs transform only through a long, slow, cooking process that they begin to melt into that tender summer treat we crave to slather with succulent sauces. Inexperienced home cooks will find that the baby backs have come up to a safe serving temperature and take them out of the oven well before they are actually done.
Unlike many pieces of meat, just because the ribs have come to the proper temperature does not actually mean they are done cooking. Instead, they need to continue to cook so the collagen breaks down, rendering a much more tender piece of meat.
There is a household phrase that continues to be a misnomer of ideal BBQ ribs: “Fall of the bone.” You do not want “Fall off the bone” ribs. These have been overcooked and feature a mushy texture – more reminiscent of a lazy crock-pot cook than a seasoned pit-master.
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Season With The Dry Rub
Mix the dry rub spices in a small dish and sprinkle it evenly on both sides of the ribs. Lightly rub the mixture into the meat so that everything is well-coated. Cover the ribs tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes or up to 2 hours for maximum flavor. Pro Tip: Make a double or triple batch of the BBQ spice rub. This way, you have it on hand for the next time you make these baby back ribs or to use for oven-roasted BBQ salmon.
What Our Readers Are Saying
If you dont believe that our recipe helps you achieve perfect oven baked ribs at home, take a look at what our readers are saying about the recipe! More reviews are in the comments section below.
These are the best ribs Ive ever made! Nick
My first time making ribs and it couldnt have been easier or tastier. M.B.
This is the best recipe for ribs that I have found. It is so easy and absolutely delicious! Jackie
Quite literally fall off the bone goodness. Jessica
OMG! These ribs are incredible!!! Lupita
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How Long Do You Cook Ribs In Oven At 350
Cooking ribs in the oven at 350 degrees is a common practice. The reason why is because it produces a gentle and consistent temperature throughout the cooking process, which helps ensure that your ribs are cooked to perfection. Cooking ribs in an oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit is a common way to cook them. The reason why is because the temperature range is ideal for both tender and tough ribs. Cooking ribs at this temperature also increases their flavor, making them more enjoyable to eat.
Adams Tip: Remove The Membrane
For the most tender ribs, we remove the thin membrane covering the rack. It can be a bit tough when cooked, and since we love ribs that fall of the bone, the membrane has to go. You might find that the butcher has already removed this, but just in case, heres how to do it yourself.
To remove it, gently slide a knife under the membrane, and then use your fingers to pull the membrane away from the bones. If it is slippery or difficult to remove, use a kitchen towel to take hold of it and pull.
As I mentioned above, you may find that the butcher or shop you bought your ribs from has already removed the membrane. Less work for you!
Also, keep in mind that removing the membrane is optional, some people prefer ribs with the membrane left intact. For ribs with some bite or chewiness, leave the membrane alone. Its all up to you!
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Our #1 Secret For Tender Ribs
The best, most fool-proof way to make sure that your ribs are fall off the bone tender is to bake them, covered, at a low temperature in your oven. We bake our ribs in a 275° F oven for two to three hours. It is this simple method that guarantees tender ribs!
We learned how to make oven-baked ribs from Steamy Kitchen and have never looked back! So we suggest you prep the ribs, pick out a favorite movie, open a beer, and relax until done.
These baked ribs are so easy all you need is time. We bake the ribs before adding any sauce, and then when baked, we brush on our favorite barbecue sauce.
You can use the barbecue sauce suggested in the recipe below or use your favorite homemade or store-bought sauce.
We use a similar sauce when making these barbecue chicken wings. You can also season the ribs with your favorite BBQ rub. We keep our ribs simple in the video and only use salt and pepper, but you can always add more flavor with a spice rub.
What To Serve With Ribs
We love these ribs. Here are some of our favorite dishes to serve alongside them:
You can never go wrong with potatoes! I love our Creamy Potato Salad, but when Im looking for something a little bit lighter, I turn to this Mayo-free Herby Potato Salad. These Crispy Roasted Potatoes or even mashed potatoes are also excellent options. Here are our recipes for Mashed Potatoes or Mashed Sweet Potatoes.
Pasta salad is a favorite around here. For a veggie-packed salad, try our Easy Pasta Salad or for a creamier salad, I love this Easy Creamy Macaroni Salad.
Anytime Im serving heartier meat dishes, I love serving them with a big salad. Throw your favorite salad greens into a big bowl and serve alongside one of these homemade dressings: Honey Mustard, Creamy Blue Cheese, or try my favorite Homemade Ranch.
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Glaze Bake And Repeat
Remove the rack from the oven, let cool slightly, and open the foil seal. Completely coat the rack in barbecue sauce, brushing it on all sides. Return it to the oven and bake for about 10 more minutes. Remove from the oven again and brush again with barbecue sauce . Repeat this process about four times, then cut and serve.
Oven Baked Barbecued Spare Ribs

November 18, 2019·FoodHussy·
This post is sponsored by the Ohio Pork Council. All opinions are my own.
Spare ribs in the oven arent actually that hard it really has only one requirement: patience. I took a barbecue class and learned all the tricks of the trade from a championship award-winning barbecue team!
Historic BBQ offered up a Barbecue class at a local farmers market and I jumped at the chance to learn from them. Im a big fan and they have won numerous BBQ competitions. They taught us how to make these spare ribs, brisket, pork belly and even steaks! That stack of delicious was Tony showing us how you can evenly cook a load of cow isnt it beautiful? He was using a Traeger grill which I actually own! They are amazing! Be sure to likeif youre in the Cincinnati area theyll list any upcoming cooking classes there.
the air fryer!!! I called them Air Fryer Rib Tips and they were DELICIOUS. I wanted to quit there and just eat these! I air fried them at 350 for 20 minutes. Thats it!
After trimming the spare ribs you have to pull the membrane off the back. Now I know its not the most exciting part but its essential. The easiest way to do this is to hold the rack of ribs over one hand and then use a paper towel to pull the membrane off with the other hand. You have to kind of pick at the edges like a roll of packing tape to get it started but once you do boom! You want the ribs dry and the paper towel helps you grip it.
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