These are the easiest barbecue ribs you will ever make. You don’t have to watch them while they bake, so you can use that time to do other things. With just a few simple steps and ingredients, you can make ribs that are so tender that you’ll want to eat the whole rack by yourself.
As a self-proclaimed ribs connoisseur, I’m always tinkering to find the ideal oven method for cooking pork ribs until gorgeously glazed on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth tender inside While low and slow baking around 250°F delivers delicious results, I find that kicking up the heat to 450°F gives the ribs an incredible crusty, caramelized exterior that takes them over the top. However, baking at a higher temp can quickly dry out the ribs if you aren’t careful The key is keeping a close eye on doneness and using a few tricks to lock in moisture. Follow my guide to discover how long to bake pork ribs at 450°F for finger-licking, fall-off-the-bone ribs every time.
Why Bake Pork Ribs at 450°F?
Cooking ribs at a high temp like 450°F allows the sugars and spices on the exterior to caramelize forming a beautiful crust. This adds incredible depth of flavor and satisfying crunch to balance out the rich tender interior. The higher heat also nicely crisps up the fat caps, rendering them decadent and delicious. While ribs baked at 250°F for hours deliver succulent meat, they lack that textural exterior contrast. The high heat of 450°F gives you the best of both worlds in one phenomenal rib.
Choosing the Best Rack of Ribs for High Heat
To ensure your ribs cook up evenly golden brown rather than burnt at this higher oven temp, choose racks that are 1.5 – 2.5 lbs and relatively uniform in thickness. I prefer baby back ribs since they contain less fat and connective tissue compared to spare ribs so they avoid becoming tough and chewy. Examine the rack for any thin or overly fatty areas and remove them to encourage even cooking. Avoid rib racks with disjointed bones or lots of varying meat thicknesses. A nicely uniform rack bakes the most beautifully.
How Long Should You Bake Pork Ribs at 450°F?
When cooking at a high temp like 450°F, ribs bake up more quickly than low and slow methods. Here are approximate guidelines for how long to bake baby back pork ribs based on weight:
- 1.5 lb rack – 60-75 minutes
- 2 lb rack – 75-90 minutes
- 2.5 lb rack – 90-105 minutes
No matter the rack size, check for doneness at the lower end of the time range by poking the meat with a fork. Properly baked ribs should be quite tender. Also check that the meat has visibly shrunk back from the ends of the bones. And always use an instant-read thermometer to confirm the ribs reach 145°F internally.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfectly Baked Ribs
Follow my simple process for irresistibly caramelized and juicy oven-baked ribs:
1. Prep the ribs – Remove membrane, trim excess fat and pat dry. Cut into individual ribs or 2-3 rib portions
2. Generously season – Coat all sides with a dry rub of spices, salt, pepper and brown sugar.
3. Arrange on baking sheet – Place ribs meaty-side up on a foil-lined pan. Avoid overcrowding.
4. Bake at 450°F – Bake for 60-105 minutes based on rack weight, checking frequently toward the end.
5. Brush with barbecue sauce – During last 10-15 minutes, brush with sticky sauce to glaze.
6. Rest, slice and serve – Allow ribs to rest 10 minutes before cutting into individual ribs.
Handy Tips for Keeping Ribs Moist
Baking at 450°F can quickly dry out ribs if you aren’t careful. Here are my tips for ensuring tender, juicy results:
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Spritz ribs with apple juice or broth every 20 minutes while baking.
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Tightly tent ribs with foil if edges or ends start to overbrown.
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Add liquid like beer, apple cider or water to the baking sheet.
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Brush ribs with sauce for a savory, protective glaze.
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Loosely tent ribs with foil while resting to retain moisture.
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Allow ribs to rest at least 10-15 minutes before cutting for juicy meat.
Troubleshooting: How to Fix Dry, Burnt or Undercooked Ribs
Issues like dryness, uneven cooking or underdoneness can occur when baking ribs at high heat. Here are some common problems and solutions:
Ribs are too dry – Increase spritzing and tented foil time. Brush on sauce earlier next time.
Ribs are burnt on ends – Trim ends before cooking. Tent foil over ends earlier next bake.
Ribs are chewy and tough – They needed more oven time to break down collagen. Cook longer next attempt.
Meat pulled back but ribs are still tough – This means ribs likely cooked too fast, so the meat tightened before ribs fully tenderized. Use lower temp like 350°F.
Raw spot near the bone – Let ribs rest longer before slicing to allow heat to distribute evenly and cook through.
Serve Up Some Amazing Oven-Baked Ribs Tonight
Cooking pork ribs in the oven at a high 450°F delivers the incredible caramelized exterior and ultra-tender interior you find in championship barbecue ribs. While it can take some trial and error to master the technique, properly baked ribs are well worth the effort. For finger-licking ribs that look and taste like they came straight from a BBQ pit, give this high-heat oven method a try. Just be ready for the rave reviews!
What Temperature and How Long Do You Cook Ribs in the Oven?
These ribs are cooked low and slow so that they become fall-off-the-bone tender. To make them melt in your mouth, you’ll need to cook them at 275°F to 300°F for about 2 hours. I cover them in barbecue sauce over high heat to give them a nice color, and that’s it! You’re ready to eat! (You can raise the temperature to 350˚F to 375˚F to cook the ribs faster, but they won’t be as tender.) ).
What Do You Season Ribs With?
This recipe only calls for salt and pepper, which is something I tried for the first time this summer. I love a good spice rub with things like brown sugar, paprika, onion powder, and more, and you can use that here. But sometimes plain is best. But feel free to use whatever spices and seasonings you want to make them your own. (I’ve even used the North African spice blend ras el hanout before. ).
When it comes to sauces, I won’t stop you from making your own barbecue sauce if you want to go the extra mile. To keep this recipe as “easy” as possible, you can use your favorite store-bought sauce instead.
EASY Oven Baked Spareribs Recipe
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