The Perfect Oven-Baked Beef Spare Ribs Temperature, Time and Tips
Juicy, tender beef spare ribs with a beautifully caramelized exterior are easy to make right in your own oven. With the right temperature, timing, and preparation, beef spare ribs come out melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
In this complete guide, you’ll learn how long to cook beef spare ribs in the oven along with tips for choosing the best ribs and getting perfect results every time.
What Are Beef Spare Ribs?
Beef spare ribs come from the underside of the cow specifically the belly and breast section. They are larger meatier, and fattier compared to back ribs. The fat content makes them super flavorful and moist when cooked low and slow.
Look for racks of beef spare ribs around 2-3 pounds each. Avoid ribs with a lot of bone showing through or an overly thin meat layer, which can lead to dryness
Oven Temperature for Beef Spare Ribs
The ideal oven temperature for beef spare ribs ranges from 250°F to 300°F. This relatively low temperature gently breaks down the fat and connective tissue over several hours.
Higher temperatures can cause the exterior to burn before the interior cooks through and makes the meat tough.
For the most tender, fall-off-the-bone spare ribs, stick with 250-300°F. You can finish them briefly under the broiler if you want crisping.
How Long to Bake Beef Spare Ribs
At 250°F, beef spare ribs take around 4-5 hours to become perfectly tender. For ribs 2 1/2 to 3 pounds, aim right in the middle at 4 1/2 hours.
At 300°F, reduce the cooking time slightly to 3 1/2 – 4 hours.
Always check for doneness rather than going strictly by time. You want the meat to easily pull away from the bones.
Use an instant-read thermometer to check for an internal temperature of at least 195°F when done.
Preparing Beef Spare Ribs for the Oven
Properly preparing the ribs before baking is key. Follow these steps:
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Choose racks around 2 1/2 – 3 lbs for ideal oven roasting.
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Remove the thin membrane from the back of the racks.
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Season all over with a dry rub at least 30 minutes before baking (longer is better).
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For ultimate flavor and moisture, brine the ribs overnight.
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Let the ribs sit at room temperature while the oven preheats.
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Place ribs meat-side down on a foil-lined baking sheet.
Baking Tips for Perfect Oven Ribs Every Time
Once your oven is preheated to 250-300°F, use these tips for foolproof baked spare ribs:
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Check after 2 hours; lightly tent foil if browning too quickly.
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Flip ribs over halfway through baking to ensure even doneness.
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Add barbecue sauce or other glaze during the last 30-60 minutes only.
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Use a meat thermometer to confirm 195°F internal temperature.
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Let ribs rest 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
The low and slow oven method delivers incredibly moist, tender beef spare ribs every time. For more spice and char, finish under the broiler for 5 minutes per side.
Serve the ribs with traditional barbecue sides like coleslaw, corn on the cob, baked beans, and cornbread. Or go the Asian route with sticky rice and kimchi.
Troubleshooting Oven-Baked Beef Spare Ribs
Having trouble getting your beef spare ribs to come out perfectly using the oven? Here are some common problems and solutions:
Ribs are dry and tough:
- Cook at a lower temp (250°F) and cover with foil.
- Leave membrane on accidentally. Always remove it first.
- Bake too long past 205°F internal temperature.
Ribs are not done after recommended time:
- Oven may run cooler than set temp. Extend cook time.
- Racks are extra thick and need more time.
- Double check temperature with a meat thermometer.
Exterior is burning:
- Cook at lower temp like 275°F max.
- Tent foil over ribs if browning too fast.
With the ideal oven temperature, cook time, and preparation, you can achieve competition-worthy beef spare ribs easily at home. Focus on low, gradual heat and let the oven do the work for finger-licking ribs exactly how you like them.
Oven-Baked Beef Spare Rib Recipes to Try:
- Classic Barbecue Beef Spare Ribs
- Asian Five Spice Ribs
- Beer and Brown Sugar Beef Ribs
- Cherry Cola Balsamic Glazed Beef Ribs
The oven allows you to infuse big beef spare ribs with lots of flavor. Take your time finding the right balance of spice rubs, sauces, and glazes to make these ribs truly your own signature recipe.
Need delicious side dish ideas for these beef ribs?? Check them out here!
Wow, that girl can get on my nerves!! I love her so much!! I think we used to hate making beef ribs because we didn’t have a good recipe to use.
Yes, I have another oven-baked beef rib recipe on my site but I grew tired of that one. It was a little too saucy and time-consuming. Also, they weren’t very good at making my husband do the “pretend booty slap dance” after he ate them. Which is what he does when I make something amazing.
I wanted an oven-baked beef rib recipe that was simple, easy, and made the best beef ribs consistently. I did what any girl does when she needs a tried-and-true recipe that will blow their mind: I called my grandmother!!!
Ms. Barbara never disappoints honey. When my husband and I went to visit, she made us oven-baked BBQ beef ribs. Yes, she cooks a full spread for anyone who tells her they are coming over. Like seriously. She is insanely sweet like that) and he raved about how good they were. I love it when my food makes my husband happy, so I was determined to make him mom’s ribs again.
Guess what? My husband liked this oven-baked BBQ rib recipe more than Grandma Barbs!! The only thing I changed was I made the rib spice rub recipe with more spices. I think this made the BBQ sauce taste better and even made them a little more tender.
I now only make this beef rib recipe in the oven. Once you try it, you might not make it any other way. My husband won’t let me try any other recipes because these beef ribs took him on a trip and he couldn’t stop eating them. He seriously almost ate the entire pan. That’s right, they’re great! They’re juicy, fall-off-the-bone tender, well-seasoned, saucy, and sticky—everything I want in a good oven-baked BBQ beef rib.
Ok, enough blabbering about these doggone beef ribs. Go make them for your man. For your wife. For yourself. For your kids. Somebody! Just make them. And devour them one by one until you push back from the table totally stuffed. I may or may not have done that. I made these BBQ beef ribs and baked them in the oven. I served them with garlic toast, broccoli, steamed corn, mashed sweet potatoes with cinnamon, and sweet ice tea.
Watch Me Make These Oven Baked BBQ Beef Ribs From Start To Finish!
My sister and I always have to make the beef ribs for family gatherings. The reason for this is unknown. Maybe it’s because we make really great oven-baked beef ribs. We really don’t know what we’re doing, and our oven-baked ribs used to be all over the place.
Here’s how the conversation would go. My sister calls me up:
Sister: Mama wants you to make beef ribs for {insert any occasion}.
Me: No she doesn’t. You know good and well she asked you to make them.
Sister: Yes, but I don’t want to. So, I’ll buy them and let you make them ok.
Me: Umm…no ma’am!
Sister: Ok I’ll drop them off.
Me: Shon don’t bring those ribs over here, seriously! I’m not even at home. (total lie)
Sister: Ok then I’ll just leave them by the door m-kay. Byeee. Thanks boo!!!!!! (and she hangs up before I have a chance to respond).
EASY Oven Baked Beef Short Ribs | The PERFECT Indoor BBQ Beef Ribs
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