You might think that grilling ribs is the best way to cook them, but it is possible and very simple to make fall-off-the-bone ribs in the oven without foil. You only need a baking sheet, a rack of ribs, and a wire cooling rack that fits inside the baking sheet.
Cooking ribs in the oven means cooking them low and slow, or for a long time at a low temperature. This is true for any method of cooking ribs. That way, the flavors can develop and they won’t lose any of the moisture that comes from the meat’s fat, even if you don’t wrap it in aluminum foil.
As a barbecue enthusiast, I used to think that juicy, fall-off-the-bone pork ribs could only be achieved by slow cooking them wrapped in foil on the grill. However, after much experimentation in my home kitchen, I’ve discovered you can bake exceptionally moist, tender pork ribs in the oven without using any foil at all. While it does require a few special tricks, foil-free oven ribs let you enjoy finger-licking ribs any night of the week, rain or shine.
Follow my complete guide to oven-baked pork ribs sans foil, and you’ll learn how to make ribs with incredible depth of flavor, juicy meat that pulls clean off the bone, and a caramelized crust, all from the convenience of your kitchen. Once you master this easy oven ribs technique, you may never grill ribs wrapped in foil again!
Choosing the Right Rack of Ribs
For the most success baking ribs without foil, opt for a rack of baby back ribs. Baby backs contain less connective tissue and fat, so they can better tolerate the drying effects of uncovered oven cooking. A 2-3 lb slab is the perfect size for 4-6 portions. Avoid overly fatty ribs and aim for a nice uniform thickness throughout the rack.
Prepping Ribs for the Oven
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Carefully remove the thin membrane from the backside of the ribs for tenderness.
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Pat the ribs very dry with paper towels to aid crisping
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Apply a flavorful dry rub: Use 2 Tbsp per 1 lb of ribs. Aim for salt, brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder.
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Refrigerate ribs overnight after seasoning for the rub to penetrate fully.
Oven Rib Cooking Method
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Preheat oven to 300°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil.
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Place a wire baking rack inside the baking sheet. Arrange ribs meaty-side up on the rack
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Bake ribs uncovered for 2-2.5 hours until tender and browned. Spritz with apple juice every 30 minutes.
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Increase heat to 425°F during last 15 minutes if you want darker crusting.
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Internal temperature should reach 200°F when done. Bones should twist out fairly easily.
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Allow ribs to rest for 10-15 minutes before cutting into portions.
Judging Doneness of Oven-Baked Ribs
Since you aren’t braising the ribs wrapped in foil on the grill, use these visual and textural cues to identify when they are cooked properly without overdoing it:
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Meat has visibly shrunk back from the ends of the bones by around 1⁄4 inch.
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Bark has formed with darkened bits of seasoning rub caramelization.
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Meat has good char marks from rack grill grates.
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Meat tears cleanly off the bone with a slight tug.
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Juices run slightly pinkish when pierced with a fork.
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Internal temp registers 195-205°F.
Avoid Common Oven Rib Mistakes
To ensure your foil-free oven ribs turn out right, sidestep these all-too-common pitfalls:
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Don’t bake ribs over 310°F or it causes meat to dry out. Stay between 250-300°F.
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Don’t forget to spritz ribs regularly so they baste in their own juices. Apple cider or juice works great.
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Don’t cut rack into individual ribs until after baking or bones may burn.
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Don’t sauce ribs until last 10 minutes or sugars will burn.
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Don’t eat ribs right out of oven. Waiting 15 minutes allows juices to redistribute.
Serving Suggestions for Oven-Baked Ribs
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Brush ribs with barbecue sauce before serving, but go light or it obscures pork flavor.
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Offer extra sauce on the side for dipping end pieces.
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Toss cooked ribs in a tangy vinegar coleslaw to cut richness.
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Serve ribs with classic rich baked beans and buttery corn bread.
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Pair ribs with a cool, crisp slaw with cilantro dressing.
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Offer slices of watermelon pickles to offset the unctuous meat.
By following this method, you can enjoy incredibly tender, fall-off-the-bone oven-baked ribs without any messing with foil. Cooking ribs uncovered in the oven at low temp for an extended time allows connective tissues to slowly melt into the meat, keeping ribs extremely moist. Be sure to let them rest before cutting or carving to retain all those wonderful juices inside. I know you’ll be amazed at how finger-licking good foil-free ribs can be straight from your oven at home. Fire up your ovens and get ready for some seriously lip-smacking oven-baked pork ribs minus the foil!
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Nutrition Facts for Ribs
Baby back ribs are naturally low in carbs, even though they are known for being a fatty cut of meat. BBQ sauces and meat rubs with added sugar should not be used when baking ribs without foil. They are very good for people on a ketogenic or low-carb diet.
While the exact nutritional facts of your ribs will vary based on what you top them with, if you stick to herbs and spices without any added sugars or artificial ingredients, the USDA lists the nutrition facts for a 4-ounce serving of baby back ribs as:
- 183 calories
- 21 grams of protein
- 11 grams of fat
- 4 grams of saturated fat
- 75 milligrams of cholesterol
- 29 milligrams of calcium
- 300 milligrams of potassium
- 105 milligrams of sodium
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Cook Ribs Without Foil
Looking for a way to bake ribs without aluminum foil? Maybe you ran out or are staying away from it because of a May 2012 report in the International Journal of Electrochemical Science that linked using it while cooking to serious health risks like Alzheimer’s disease. The good news is that you can do it and get great results as long as you cook the ribs slowly and pick the right meat.
You might want to choose baby back ribs if you’re cooking ribs without foil. They are some of the most tender cuts. Since you might lose some of the juices in the pan, it’s best to start with tender meat so that you have more room to move. But you can choose any meat you want. You can also go for spare ribs or country ribs.
Read more: How to Cook Delicious Ribs in the Oven and on the Grill
To cook the ribs, preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Set a wire cooling rack inside of a baking sheet and set aside. Season the meat however youd like. A great choice is dry rubs that have smoked paprika, celery salt, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder in them. Many spice shops already make these dry rubs, so all you have to do is spread them out on the ribs and you’re good to go.
Before putting the ribs on the baking sheet, season them and place them in a single layer on top of the wire rack. Two- to four-pound baby back ribs need about an hour and a half to two hours of cooking time. If you think that’s too long, try our recipe for Instant Pot BBQ Baby Back Ribs with Vinegar Slaw in less than an hour.
Whichever type of ribs you choose, follow proper food safety guidelines and cook them to an internal temperature of 145 F, as recommended by the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. When measuring the temperature of the meat, make sure you insert your meat thermometer into the meaty, fleshy portion of the rib and not directly into the fat to get an accurate measure of the actual rib meat.
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FAQ
Can I cook my ribs without foil?
Can you cook ribs in the oven uncovered?
How long to bake ribs at 400 without foil?
What can I use instead of foil for ribs?
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.
Can you cook ribs without foil?
If you’re cooking ribs without foil, you may want to choose baby back ribs, which are among the most tender of the cuts. Since you might lose some of the juices in the pan, it’s a good idea to start out with tender meat since you’ll likely have a little more wiggle room, but the choice is up to you. You can also go for spare ribs or country ribs.
How to reheat ribs in the oven?
To reheat ribs in the oven, set the oven to 250°F, unwrap the ribs and place them in an oven-safe dish. Pour a couple of tablespoons of chicken broth or water (or beer!) over the ribs to help keep them moist. Tightly cover the dish with foil and heat for 20-25 minutes or until heated through. Store the ribs in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
How to cook spare ribs in the oven?
To cook spare ribs in the oven for succulent fall-off-the-bone meat, start by using your favorite dry rub or BBQ sauce, or a combination of both. Trim the rack of spare ribs from any excess fat, then pat them dry with a paper towel. Turn the rack with the meaty side down and identify the membrane that runs across the length of the rib bones.