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How Long to Cook Pork Ribs in the Oven for Perfectly Tender Results

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Making baked ribs in the oven ensures they are fall-off-the-bone tender and literally, perfect every single time.

Juicy fall-off-the-bone oven baked pork ribs are easier to make than you think. With the right time and temperature you can skip grilling and smoke lengthy barbecue methods, and make restaurant-quality ribs at home.

But how long should you bake pork ribs for them to be fully cooked without drying out? Read this whole guide to find out the best times to bake different kinds and sizes of ribs in the oven.

Oven Baking Times for Pork Ribs

There are a lot of things that can change how long pork ribs need to bake:

Type of Rib

  • Baby back ribs – These small, curved ribs are cut from the loin near the backbone. They usually take 1-1.5 hours to bake.

  • Spare ribs – Taken from the belly section, these ribs have more fat and need longer baking times of 2-3 hours.

  • Country-style ribs – Cut from the shoulder, they are meatier than spare ribs. Bake for 2-2. 5 hours.

  • St. Louis ribs – Shape of spare ribs with tips removed. Bake for 2-3 hours.

Weight of the Rack

  • 1-2 lb rack – Bake baby back ribs for 1 hour, spare ribs for 2 hours

  • 3-4 lb rack – Bake baby back ribs for 1.5 hours, spare ribs for 2.5-3 hours

  • 5 lb rack – Bake spare ribs for 3 hours

Bone-In vs Boneless

  • Bone-in ribs retain more moisture so require longer baking. Boneless ribs cook faster.

Covered vs Uncovered

Covering ribs with foil allows steam to keep them moist. Uncovered ribs may dry out faster.

Step-by-Step Baking Instructions

Follow these simple steps for juicy, flavorful oven baked ribs:

  1. Prep the ribs – Remove membrane, season with rub or marinade. Let sit 30 minutes.

  2. Preheat oven – Heat to 250°F (lower temp equals slower cooking for tender meat).

  3. Cover tightly with foil – Wrap entire rack to seal in moisture. Use heavy duty foil.

  4. Bake ribs – Place foil-wrapped ribs meaty side up on a baking sheet. Bake at 250°F using recommended time for weight/type of ribs.

  5. Check for doneness – Carefully unwrap one end of ribs. Meat should be very tender and shrink away from bones.

  6. Uncover and broil – Unwrap ribs and broil 3-5 minutes to caramelize sauce and crisp exterior.

  7. Let rest 5-10 minutes – This allows juice to redistribute through the meat before cutting.

  8. Serve and enjoy! – Slice between bones and dig into your tender, juicy oven baked ribs!

Oven Baked Rib Cooking Times

Use these oven bake times as a general guideline for ribs:

Baby Back Ribs

  • 1-2 lb rack: Bake at 250°F for 1 hour
  • 3-4 lb rack: Bake at 250°F for 1.5 hours

Spare Ribs

  • 1-2 lb rack: Bake at 250°F for 2 hours
  • 3-4 lb rack: Bake at 250°F for 2.5-3 hours
  • 5 lb rack: Bake at 250°F for 3 hours

Country-Style or St. Louis Ribs

  • 1-2 lb rack: Bake at 250°F for 2 hours
  • 3-4 lb rack: Bake at 250°F for 2.5 hours

Boneless Country-Style Ribs

  • Bake at 250°F for 1.5-2 hours

Tips for Moist, Tender Oven Baked Ribs

  • Always use meat thermometer to confirm ribs reach 200°F when done.

  • Spray foil with nonstick spray before wrapping ribs to prevent sticking.

  • Add apple juice, beer or broth inside foil wraps for extra moisture.

  • Choose racks similar in size so they bake evenly (or stagger on baking sheets).

  • For charred finish, broil ribs once sauce is brushed on for last 3-5 minutes.

How to Tell When Ribs Are Done

It can be tricky to judge doneness for oven ribs since you can’t see the meat. Here’s how to know ribs are fully cooked:

  • Meat thermometer inserted in thickest part reads 200°F

  • Meat has contracted and shrunk back from the ends of the bones

  • Bones wiggle easily when rack is picked up

  • Meat tears easily when poked with a fork

  • Sauce is bubbling thickly (if cooking unwrapped)

The most reliable test is checking temperature. Pork should reach at least 200°F for food safety and ribs to be considered fully done.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

It’s easy to end up with dry, tough ribs if you cook them wrong. Avoid these errors:

  • Baking at too high of a temperature like 350°F

  • Not covering ribs fully with foil seal

  • Cooking too many racks crowded on one baking sheet

  • Cutting rack membranes off improperly leaving parts attached

  • Brushing on sauce too early before bake time is done

  • Not allowing ribs to rest before cutting into them

Serving Oven Baked Pork Ribs

Baked ribs pair perfectly with traditional barbecue sides. Serve them with:

  • Corn on the cob
  • Coleslaw
  • Baked beans
  • Mac and cheese
  • Potato salad
  • Cornbread or biscuits

Leftover ribs can be stored covered in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven at 300°F until warmed through, about 20-30 minutes.

Oven Baked Ribs Recipe

Try this simple baked ribs recipe for insanely tender, fall-off-the-bone results:

Ingredients:

  • 1 (4 pound) rack of pork spare ribs
  • 1⁄4 cup barbecue rub
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce

Instructions:

  1. Remove membrane from back of ribs and trim excess fat. Rub seasoning all over ribs.

  2. Wrap entire rib rack tightly in two layers of heavy duty foil.

  3. Bake ribs meaty side up at 250°F for 3 hours.

  4. Carefully open foil and test for doneness. Meat should be very tender.

  5. Brush ribs with barbecue sauce, return to oven and broil 5 minutes to caramelize sauce.

  6. Let ribs rest 10 minutes before cutting into individual ribs to serve.

Enjoy your fall-off-the-bone tender oven baked ribs! Adjust bake times as needed to suit different weights or types of ribs.

More Delicious Oven Baked Rib Recipes

If you love baking ribs in the oven, try these other amazing recipes:

  • Brown Sugar Garlic Baked Ribs
  • Sweet and Spicy Sriracha Ribs
  • Coca-Cola BBQ Rib Recipe
  • Baked Lemon Pepper Ribs
  • Baked Ribs with Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce
  • Easy Peach Baked Ribs

Baking truly is the easiest hands-off method for cooking ribs to tender, mouthwatering perfection. Ditch the grill and smoker, and make your next rack of ribs in the oven. Just be sure to allow plenty of time for the low and slow baking that breaks down the collagen for meat that’s fall-apart tender. In just a few simple steps, you’ll enjoy restaurant-worthy ribs and impress everyone at home with your pitmaster skills.

how long do i cook pork ribs in the oven

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.

how long do i cook pork ribs in the oven

How to Remove the Membrane from Ribs

The membrane does not have to be removed from the ribs, but I prefer the texture. The membrane is very thin on the back of a rack of ribs (see picture above). If you don’t see it, it is sometimes it has already been removed at the store.

To take off the membrane, run a knife along the thin skin on the back of one end of the ribs. Take a paper towel and hold the edge of the membrane. Then, slowly pull it away from the meat. Discard the membrane.

how long do i cook pork ribs in the oven

Easy Oven Baked Ribs (Spareribs, Baby Back, or St. Louis-style)

FAQ

How long does it take to cook ribs at 350 in the oven?

Larger, fattier ribs need to be cooked longer than baby backs. Shoot for around 2 hours at 350 degrees if the ribs are uncovered, as in our Barbecued Pork Ribs. If wrapped in foil, the ribs can go for up to 3 hours at 300°F degrees, or crank the oven up to 400 degrees for a briefer baking time—1.5 to 2 hours.

How long to cook ribs on 400?

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Season ribs all over with salt and pepper. Stack slabs on a large piece of heavy-duty foil; seal tightly, and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Cook until meat is fork-tender, about 1 1/2 hours.

How long should I cook my ribs in the oven?

Bake 2 1/2 to 3 hours for spareribs or 1 1/2 to 2 hours for baby back ribs. Halfway through cooking, cover the ribs with aluminum foil to protect them from drying out. Brush with barbecue sauce.

Should I bake ribs at 250 or 275?

How Long To Cook Baby Back Ribs. Baby back ribs should be cooked for four hours at 275°F or until they are tender.

How long do you cook ribs in the oven?

Martha Stewart recommends baking beef dino ribs at 325 degrees for 4 hours in the oven, keeping them covered to prevent drying. In contrast, flanken style beef short ribs only need about 5 minutes per side under the broiler. No wrapping or slow-baking is required for these super thin-cut ribs.

How long do you cook pork ribs at 300 degrees?

We’re 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.

How to cook pork ribs in the oven?

To cook pork ribs in the oven, preheat your oven to 300°F. Salt and pepper both sides of your ribs and place them in a single layer in a pan, fattier side up. Country-style Pork Ribs are a great, rich and fall-apart tender alternative to traditional ribs. They are cheap, easy to make, and SO good, this might just be your new favorite way to eat pork.

How long does it take to cook pork ribs?

For 1-inch country-style ribs, the cooking time varies depending on the oven temperature: one hour at 300°F, 45 minutes at 350°F, or 20 minutes at 400°F. Country Style Ribs are leaner and cook faster than other pork ribs.

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