Making baked ribs in the oven ensures they are fall-off-the-bone tender and literally, perfect every single time.
Cooking pork ribs in the oven is a great way to achieve fall-off-the-bone tender ribs. With the right temperature time and technique oven-baked ribs can rival those from the grill or smoker. Here’s everything you need to know to get perfect oven ribs every time.
Oven Temperature for Pork Ribs
The ideal oven temperature for pork ribs depends on a few factors
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Type of ribs – Baby back ribs should cook at a lower temperature (300-325°F) than larger, meatier spare ribs (325-400°F).
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Covered vs uncovered – Covering the ribs allows you to use a higher oven temp. Uncovered, stick to 300-350°F.
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Cooking time – The longer the ribs cook, the lower the oven temp should be to prevent overcooking. A good rule of thumb is 300°F for 2-3 hours or 350°F for 1-2 hours.
How Long to Cook Pork Ribs in the Oven
Cooking times vary based on the size and cut of the ribs:
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Baby back ribs – 1-1.5 hours
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St. Louis/spare ribs – 2-3 hours
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Country-style ribs – 2-2.5 hours
These times are for ribs cooked uncovered at 300-350°F. Covering the ribs speeds up cooking so you can reduce time by 30-60 minutes.
Always check for doneness before removing ribs from the oven. The meat should pull away from the bones easily when fully cooked. If underdone, continue cooking until tender.
Step-by-Step Guide for Oven-Baked Ribs
Follow these simple steps for foolproof oven ribs:
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Remove membrane – Slip a knife under the thin membrane on the back of the ribs and peel it off. This allows seasoning and smoke to penetrate.
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Season – Rub ribs all over with a dry seasoning blend. Let sit 5-10 minutes.
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Arrange ribs – Place ribs meaty side down on a foil-lined baking sheet.
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Cover – Completely seal ribs in a foil pouch or tent foil over the pan.
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Bake – Cook at 300-350°F for recommended time based on ribs’ size.
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Check doneness – Uncover carefully, check tenderness by poking meat with tongs. If not done, re-cover and bake longer.
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Uncover/broil – Remove foil, brush with sauce and broil 3-5 minutes to caramelize.
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Rest and serve – Let ribs rest 5-10 minutes before cutting into portions. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Oven-Baked Ribs
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Choose the right ribs – Look for meaty, uniform racks with a nice layer of fat. Avoid boney, ragged-looking ribs.
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Remove membrane – This step is key for maximum smoke and seasoning flavor.
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Season well – A quality dry rub adds lots of flavor. Apply it generously and let penetrate before cooking.
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Cook low and slow – Keep the oven temp moderate, below 350°F. Slow cooking renders fat and makes meat tender.
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Wrap tightly in foil – Creating a sealed packet keeps ribs moist as they cook.
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Check doneness carefully – Poking meat will let you know when ribs are ready without overcooking.
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Finish on grill or under broiler – Char ribs briefly at the end to add crispy texture and nice color.
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Let ribs rest before eating – This allows juices to reabsorb for moist, tender ribs.
Oven-Baked Rib Recipes to Try
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Sweet and Spicy Oven-Baked Ribs – With a homemade spice rub and glaze.
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Oven Barbecued Ribs – Slow cooked then finished with BBQ sauce.
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Tuscan Oven-Baked Ribs – With white beans, rosemary and garlic.
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Pork Ribs with Pineapple Glaze – Brushed with a sweet and tangy pineapple sauce.
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[Dr. Pepper Ribs](https:// Damndelicious.net/2020/05/16/dr-pepper-ribs/) – Braised in a Dr. Pepper barbecue sauce.
Common Questions about Oven Pork Ribs
What is the best cut of ribs for the oven?
Baby back and St. Louis ribs are ideal for the oven since they cook evenly and don’t need prolonged cooking like spare ribs. Meaty country-style ribs also bake up nicely.
Should you wrap ribs in foil when baking?
It’s recommended to wrap oven ribs in foil or seal tightly in an aluminum pan. This traps moisture, tenderizes meat and speeds cooking. Unwrap at the end to crisp them up.
How do you keep ribs from drying out in the oven?
Wrapping ribs in a foil pouch is the best way to prevent dryness when baking. Cook at a moderate temp, baste with sauce at the end and let rest before cutting to ensure tender, juicy meat.
Do you put BBQ sauce on before or after cooking ribs?
It’s best to add BBQ sauce only during the last 5-10 minutes when oven ribs are nearly fully cooked. Brush on sauce then and broil to caramelize. Adding it too early can burn the sugars in the sauce.
What temp should ribs be when done?
Fully cooked ribs should register 185-205°F on a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat. Check in a few spots to be sure they are heated through evenly.
Master Oven-Baked Ribs
Cooking ribs in the oven may seem tricky, but just follow these guidelines for time, temperature and technique and you’ll achieve fork-tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs every time. A flavorful homemade dry rub, low oven and a brief broiling at the end takes these ribs from good to sensational.
Frequency of Entities:
pork ribs: 32
oven: 27
ribs: 23
cook: 7
temperature: 6
bake: 5
tender: 5
foil: 5
sauce: 4
meat: 4
broil: 3
How to Make Ribs in the Oven
- Prepare the ribs by removing the membrane if it’s there and seasoning them (see recipe below).
- Put the ribs on a baking sheet with the meat side down. Cover them with onion and garlic and wrap them in aluminum foil.
- If you want, you can bake the ribs until they are soft. Then you can grill or broil them to make them a little browner if you want to.
Our favorite side dishes with ribs are corn on the cob and of course classic coleslaw and beans!
- Bear ribs should be used, and the pan should be well sealed so the ribs and onions steam. This will make them tender and add flavor.
- In the oven, cook them slowly until they are really soft.
- You can use any sauce (this is my favorite) or even just salt to make these.
- When the meat is soft, broil or grill it to give it a little char.
How To Check if Ribs Are Done
Oven baked ribs will need at least 2 hours. After two hours, take a piece of meat from one of the ribs and carefully open a corner of the foil. The steam will escape.
If the meat is not tender, it needs MORE time. Seal them back up, bake for an additional 20-30 minutes, and check again.
If the ribs are tender, they are ready to enjoy. You can either serve them right away or turn off the oven and let them sit for up to an hour. Don’t open the oven door during this 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.
Ingredients for Oven Ribs
Ribs: I always use Baby Back (or Pork Back Ribs) because they’re the most tender. Even though they cost a little more, I think it is worth it if you can afford it. If you use side ribs, you might need to add a little more cooking time.
Onion & Garlic: Onion and garlic are added to flavor the meat during roasting.
Seasonings: I use a homemade dry rub as I like to control the amount of salt in these ribs. You can change it up with other spices (try cumin, cayenne pepper, or dry mustard). Swap the homemade seasoning for salt & pepper or a prepared rub (this is our favorite pre-made rub).
Barbecue Sauce (or not!): You can use your favorite store-bought barbecue sauce, make your own, or not use any at all! My husband likes salt and pepper ribs, but I like sticky ribs made with barbecue sauce mixed with chili sauce.
