Mastering Melt-In-Your-Mouth Oven Baked Beef Ribs
Juicy tender oven baked beef ribs may seem like weekend warrior territory but this hands-off method delivers fork-tender ribs any night of the week. Ditch the grill and discover how easy it is to achieve competition-worthy results right in your own kitchen.
We’ll share pro tips for selecting ribs, prep, cook times, and serving ideas so you can become an oven-baked beef rib expert. Read on to get all the details you need for finger-licking ribs every time.
Picking the Best Beef Ribs for Oven Baking
For ultimate tenderness and flavor, choose beef back ribs, also called beef spareribs. Back ribs come from the upper rib section near the spine and contain a good amount of marbled meat between the bones. Look for racks that are meaty and have a nice layer of fat running through them.
Opt for racks that are around 1.5 to 2.5 pounds each to get 4-6 servings per rack. Smaller back ribs cook faster while larger racks can take longer. Inspect ribs to ensure they have a fresh red color without dried or brown spots.
Prepping Beef Ribs for Oven Success
Proper prep is crucial for oven-baked beef rib excellence. Follow these steps:
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Rinse ribs under cold water and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
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Carefully remove the thin membrane from the back of the rack. Use a knife to lift an edge, then grab it with a paper towel and peel it off.
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Season both sides generously with a dry rub. Massage the rub all over the meaty side to penetrate flavor.
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For even cooking, line a baking sheet with foil and top with a wire rack. Place ribs meat-side up on the rack.
Cook Time Based on Oven Temperature
Oven temperature significantly impacts total cook time. To achieve fall-off-the-bone texture, cook low and slow at 225-300°F. Higher oven temps of 350-400°F reduce cook time but can dry out the meat.
Here are general guidelines for oven baked beef rib cook times:
- 225°F oven: 5-6 hours
- 250°F oven: 4-5 hours
- 275°F oven: 3-4 hours
- 300°F oven: 2.5-3.5 hours
- 325°F oven: 2-3 hours
- 350°F oven: 1.5-2.5 hours
- 375-400°F oven: 1-2 hours
Always check for doneness at the low end of ranges provided. Ovens can vary and rib thickness impacts cook time.
Step-By-Step Oven Baked Beef Ribs Method
Follow these simple steps for perfect oven-baked beef ribs every time:
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Prepare ribs as directed with membrane removed and seasoning rubbed into the meat.
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Arrange ribs meat-side up on a foil-lined baking sheet with rack.
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Bake at 250-300°F, checking often until meat is fork-tender and pulls away from bones.
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During last 15 minutes of cook time, brush with barbecue sauce to glaze.
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Remove ribs from oven, tent with foil and let rest 10-15 minutes before serving.
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Slice ribs between bones and serve with extra barbecue sauce for dipping.
Secrets to Flavorful, Tender Oven Baked Beef Ribs
To take your oven-baked ribs to the next level, use these flavor-boosting techniques:
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For extra moistness, coat ribs with yellow mustard before applying rub.
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Spritz ribs every hour with apple juice or cider vinegar while cooking.
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Add bone-in short rib trimmings to the baking pan for extra flavor.
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Flip ribs halfway through cook time to ensure even doneness.
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Let ribs rest in their juices after baking for best moisture retention.
Serving Suggestions for Oven-Baked Beef Ribs
These tasty sides perfectly complement oven barbecued beef ribs:
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Corn on the cob brushed with compound butter
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Tangy coleslaw or broccoli salad
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Buttery mashed potatoes or baked beans
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Fresh watermelon, corn, and tomato salad
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Cornbread muffins or buttermilk biscuits
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Creamy potato or pasta salad
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Grilled vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers
Troubleshooting Oven Baked Beef Ribs
Use these tips to troubleshoot any oven-baked rib issues:
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If ribs are dry, oven temp is too high. Cook at 250°F next time.
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For tough ribs, increase cook time and use a meat thermometer to check doneness.
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If ribs are too smokey, reduce or omit liquid smoke in the rub.
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For bland flavor, add more seasoning and use sauce sooner when glazing.
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If ribs stick, use more foil and don’t pierce the top layer.
The Takeaway
When cooked low and slow, oven-baked beef ribs become melt-in-your-mouth tender every time. For convenience, season and prep ribs a day ahead. Then spend just minutes getting them in the oven. In just a few flavor-packed hours, you’ll have tasty barbecue beef ribs ready for serving. Ditch the grill and enjoy finger-licking oven-baked ribs all year round!
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).
Oven Baked BBQ Beef Ribs Recipe – How to Make Ribs in the Oven
FAQ
How long to cook beef ribs at 350 degrees?
What is the best time and temperature for beef ribs?
How long should ribs cook in the oven?
Does the 3:2:1 method work for beef ribs?
How long do you cook beef ribs in the oven?
Let the beef ribs bake in the middle rack of the oven for 1 ½ hours. Then, baste it with the rib drippings and put it back in the oven for another 1 ½ hours or until the internal temperature reaches 203° F. Rest for 30 minutes before serving. Beef ribs and short ribs are not the same.
How long do you cook short ribs in the oven?
Place the baking pan with the ribs in the middle rack of the oven preheated to 300° F. Let it bake for 1 ½ hours. Then, baste the ribs with the rib drippings and put them back in the oven for another 1 ½ hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 203° F. Rest for 30 minutes before serving. The oven recipe is for beef ribs.
How long do you cook ribs bone side up?
To cook ribs bone-side up in the oven, place them on a baking sheet and bake for 4 hours. After 4 hours, remove ribs from the oven, discard the aluminum foil, drain any remaining fat from the baking sheet, and return the ribs to the baking sheet with the bone side facing down.
How do you cook beef back ribs?
To cook beef back ribs, season them and wrap them in foil, then transfer them to the oven. Cook them low and slow to achieve tender and juicy ribs. You can serve them however you’d like. The quick and easy homemade dry rub included in the recipe is insanely delicious on its own.