Our secret to oven-baked ribs that fall off the bone is to bake them low and slow. Some people think that ribs should be left to the “pit masters” — it’s just not true. Baking ribs in the oven is seriously easy. It only takes a short amount of time to make this recipe. The rest of the time is spent sitting back and enjoying the ribs. Let’s do this!.
Cover your ribs and bake them at a low temperature for a long time. This is the best and only way to make sure they are fully cooked.
We bake our ribs in a 275°F oven for two to three hours. This easy method makes sure the ribs are tender! We use the same method to make these Asian-style ribs with a hoisin glaze.
We learned how to make oven-baked ribs from Steamy Kitchen and haven’t looked back since! While the ribs are cooking, make a beer, and watch your favorite movie.
These baked ribs are so easy — all you need is time. First, we bake the ribs without any sauce on them. After they’re done, we brush them with our favorite barbecue sauce.
You can use the easy-to-make barbecue sauce in the recipe below, or you can use your favorite sauce from the store or make it yourself. (We also LOVE this sweet and tangy bbq sauce).
We use a similar sauce when making these barbecue chicken wings. You can also season the ribs with your favorite BBQ rub. Spice rubs can be used to make your ribs taste even better. In the video, we just use salt and pepper.
Juicy, tender pork ribs with fall-off-the-bone meat are the ultimate comfort food. But nailing the right cooking time can seem tricky. Undercook them, and the meat is tough and dry. Go too long, and you end up with mushy ribs in burnt sauce.
Don’t worry – this guide will walk you through exactly how long to cook pork ribs to get mouthwatering results every time.
Below we’ll cover
- Ideal internal temperature and doneness
- Cooking times for various methods
- Tips for baby back vs spare ribs
- How to tell when they’re done
- Delicious recipes to try
Follow these simple instructions, and you’ll be able to cook pork ribs with confidence. Let’s get started!
Perfect Internal Temp and Doneness
The internal temperature for cooked ribs should reach at least 145°F for food safety But for best texture and tenderness, pork ribs are considered done at
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195°F for fall-off-the-bone ribs – The collagen breaks down completely at this temp, delivering super tender, pull clean from the bone meat.
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175°F for competition-style ribs – The meat shrinks back slightly from the ends of the bones and has a pleasant chew while still being juicy.
So cooking to between 175-195°F will give you amazing ribs. Use an instant read thermometer to check. Now let’s look at cook times.
Oven Bake Times for Pork Ribs
Uncovered at 225°F:
- Baby back ribs: 1.5 – 2 hours
- Spareribs: 2.5 – 3 hours
Covered/wrapped at 250°F:
- Baby back ribs: 2 – 2.5 hours
- Spareribs: 3 – 4 hours
Covering locks in moisture, allows higher heat and reduces cook time. Add 30-60 mins for meatier spare vs baby back ribs.
Grill Times for Pork Ribs
Indirect heat at 225-250°F:
- Baby back ribs: 3 – 4 hours
- Spareribs: 4 – 5 hours
Direct heat for finishing:
- 10-15 mins per side at med-high heat
Indirect roasting followed by direct heat gives great smoke flavor and char.
Braise and Instant Pot Times
Braised at 300°F:
- Baby back ribs: 1.5 – 2 hours
- Spareribs: 2 – 3 hours
Instant Pot high pressure:
- Baby back ribs: 25 – 30 mins
- Spareribs: 35 – 40 mins
Moist braising and pressure cooking deliver fall-off-the-bone ribs fast.
Tips for Baby Back vs Spare Ribs
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Baby backs are smaller, leaner, and cook faster. Watch closely to avoid overcooking.
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Spare ribs have more fat and connective tissue. Cook low and slow for tender, flavorful meat.
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Add 30 mins to all cook times for meatier spare ribs vs baby backs.
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Adjust time up or down depending on thickness and bone size.
How to Tell When Ribs are Done
Ribs are done when:
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Meat shrinks back from bone ends slightly
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Ribs bend and crack (but don’t break in half) when picked up
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Juices run clear (not pink) when pierced
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Internal temp reaches 195°F for fall-off-the-bone or 175°F for competition-style
Let rest 5-10 minutes before cutting or eating for juiciest results.
Foolproof Baked Rib Recipes
Here are some stellar oven-baked rib recipes to try:
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Easy BBQ Baby Back Ribs – Tender and saucy crowd-pleaser.
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Brown Sugar Garlic Pork Ribs – Sweet, sticky, finger-licking good.
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Hoisin Ribs – Asian-inspired ribs baked in foil.
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Cola Ribs – Coca-cola infused ribs for fun flavor.
Follow the guide above and cook times for the recipe. You’ll have juicy, tender pork ribs coming off the bone in no time.
Quick Overview: How to Cook Ribs in the Oven
The most-read pork recipe on Inspired Taste is these ribs. The next most-read recipe is these juicy pork chops. The full ribs recipe is below, but here’s a quick rundown of how we do things around here:
- Take off the membrane (remember that this makes sure the ribs fall off the bone).
- Generously season both sides with salt and pepper. You can also use this as a chance to add more flavor with your favorite spice rub.
- Cover the ribs with aluminum foil.
- Put the ribs in the oven at 275°F for 2 ½ to 3 ½ hours, or until they are soft.
- Pour barbecue sauce all over the baked ribs. Then, grill or broil them for a few minutes until the sauce turns caramelized.
Sweet and Spicy Barbecue Sauce
You can use any barbecue sauce you like, but our quick sweet and spicy sauce is our favorite. It only takes a few minutes to make. It combines ketchup, brown sugar, chili sauce (like Sriracha), and spices. We’ve shared how to make it in the recipe.
I like making a double batch of the sauce and keeping it in the refrigerator. It will last up to 5 days. The sauce is perfect with chicken, on a burger, or as a dip for fries.
We make a similar sauce to coat our brown sugar barbecue wings. Another option is this homemade barbecue sauce (it’s tangy and delicious!).
What Temperature Should I Cook My Ribs?
Can you cook pork ribs too long?
Ribs are a tough cut of meat so they’re made for slow cooking until it’s nice and tender. It’s quite forgiving with the cook time, unlike some other types of proteins like poultry. So even if you cook it 30 minutes too long, it will still be juicy and delicious. There is simply no way to look elegant eating pork ribs.
How long do you cook pork ribs in the oven?
2.**Spare Ribs (Larger Pork Ribs)**: – Set your oven to **350°F**. – Cook for approximately **2 hours**. – If you prefer a longer, slower cook, you can use a lower temperature of **300°F** and
How long do you cook ribs in a crock pot?
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place rib portions or rack of ribs, bone sides down, in a shallow roasting pan. Roast, covered with foil, for 2 to 2½ hours. Drain fat. If desired, brush ribs with sauce. Continue to roast, uncovered, for about 15 minutes more or until the ribs are tender, basting once with sauce, if desired.
How long do you cook a rib roast in the oven?
Bake until tender and cooked through. 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 (with the foil open) and bake for about 10 more minutes.