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How to Make Mouthwatering Pork Spare Ribs in the Oven

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Smoking meat is one of the ways my husband shows love, and I agree that a rack of ribs smoked low and slow over hickory wood chips is a real treat.

Since most people don’t have a smoker, I’m going to share my easy and unbelievably tasty oven-baked ribs recipe. Yes, you can get lip-smackin’, finger-lickin’-good ribs that fall off the bone from your oven.

Every time I make these I’m stunned over how delicious they are. They come out perfect every single time!.

Pork spare ribs are a delicious and satisfying main course that can be easily prepared right in your own oven. With just a few simple steps, you can have tender fall-off-the-bone pork spare ribs ready to devour in just a few hours.

What are Pork Spare Ribs?

Pork spare ribs come from the belly side of the pig near the shoulder blade and breastbone area, They are longer and meatier compared to popular baby back ribs, The term “spare ribs” refers to the fact that they are not the primary ribs used for pork chops and other cuts,

A full rack of spare ribs contains 10-13 bones and includes a flap of meat along with the rib tips. The ribs have a good amount of fat marbled throughout along with connective tissue. This makes them ideal for braising, smoking, or roasting low and slow until meltingly tender.

Benefits of Cooking Spare Ribs in the Oven

Cooking spare ribs in the oven offers several advantages:

  • Convenience – No need to monitor a grill or smoker. Just pop them in the oven and go about your day.

  • Moistness – The moist environment of the oven along with steaming from their own juices keeps the ribs from drying out.

  • Flavor – The meat soaks up spices and seasoning beautifully. Wrapping in foil helps concentrate the flavors.

  • Tenderness – Low and slow cooking gives the collagen time to break down into luscious gelatin.

  • Caramelization – A quick stint under the broiler at the end browns and crisps the exterior.

Step-by-Step Oven Method for Perfect Spare Ribs

Follow these simple steps for finger-licking oven-baked spare ribs every time:

Prep the Ribs

  • Remove membrane – Turn ribs over to expose the membrane covering the back of the bones. Slide a knife under to loosen it then pull it off. This ensures your ribs will be fall-off-the-bone tender.

  • Trim excess fat – Use a sharp knife to trim off any thick chunks of surface fat for better presentation and texture. Leave a thin layer intact for moisture.

  • Season liberally – Coat both sides all over with a basic rub of salt, pepper and any additional favorite seasonings. This adds great flavor and helps form a tasty crust.

Slow Cook Low and Slow

  • Wrap in foil – Lay ribs meaty side up in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Wrap the entire sheet tightly in heavy duty aluminum foil.

  • Bake at 275°F – Let the ribs slowly cook undisturbed for 2 1/2 – 3 1/2 hours until the meat begins to shrink back from the bones and is fork tender.

  • Unwrap and check doneness – Carefully unwrap the hot ribs and test for tenderness. If needed, re-cover and bake for 30 minutes more.

Finish with Caramelized Crust

  • Sauce and season (optional) – If desired, quickly brush ribs with barbecue sauce and sprinkle on a little more seasoning blend.

  • Broil – Place baking sheet 4-6 inches under broiler for 3-5 minutes until bubbling and lightly charred. Watch closely to avoid burning.

  • Rest 5 minutes – Let ribs sit for a few minutes before cutting and serving. This allows juices to reabsorb for maximum juiciness.

  • Slice and serve – Use a sharp knife to slice between the bones. Serve ribs with savory sides and extra napkins!

Tips for the Best Oven-Baked Spare Ribs

  • For ideal tenderness, choose ribs with some marbling and flex. Avoid racks that are overly lean or feel stiff.

  • Trim away any dried out bone tips to prevent burning.

  • Cut racks in half if needed to fit in your roasting pan.

  • Add aromatics like garlic, onions and fresh herbs to the foil packet.

  • Spritz with apple juice or broth before broiling for extra moisture.

  • Let ribs rest in their juices after baking then transfer to a platter for service.

Customize Your Pork Spare Ribs

There are endless ways to adapt oven-baked spare ribs to suit your tastes:

  • Dry rub – For ribs with just a seasoning crust, use a flavorful blend of spices and no sauce.

  • Wet ribs – For saucy ribs, coat with barbecue sauce, honey garlic glaze or other sticky sauce the last 30 minutes.

  • Regional styles – Give a Memphis dry rub, Kansas City sweet glaze or Asian five spice crackle.

  • Flavor inserts – Add smoked ham, pineapple rings, jalapeños, or sage leaves under the foil.

  • Side dishes – Serve with classic favorites like coleslaw, cornbread, baked beans or mac and cheese.

Now that you know the simple secrets behind making incredible oven-baked spare ribs, you can enjoy this messy, finger-licking pleasure any night of the week. Just be prepared for ribs that fall off the bone into your mouth!

how to make pork spare ribs in the oven

How to Bake Ribs in the Oven

Start with a 2-1/2 — 3lb rack of baby back ribs. Once more, look for ribs that have a lot of meat on top of the bones and a good amount of fat. If there are large pieces of fat on top, feel free to trim them away.

Blot the ribs all over with paper towels to dry them completely.

Step 3: Season the ribs.

Next, in a small bowl, mix together salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and (if you want) a little cayenne pepper to make your own seasoning mix.

Sprinkle the mixture on both sides of the ribs then rub to coat with your fingers. Wrap the ribs in plastic wrap then refrigerate for 2 hours or up to 24 hours. It doesn’t matter where you put the ribs; they can be on the baking sheet we’ll use or on a tray.

EASY Oven Baked Spareribs Recipe

FAQ

How long does it take to cook pork spare ribs 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.

Should you cover spare ribs in the oven?

Do you bake ribs covered or uncovered? You can cook ribs either covered with foil or uncovered. Foil is used to stop the meat from drying out but is not essential. If cooking uncovered and you notice the meat is drying out or browning too quickly, you can cover with foil for the remaining cook time.

How long does it take to cook spare ribs in the oven at 250?

When it’s time to bake, unwrap the ribs then place them on a foil-lined, nonstick-sprayed baking sheet. If baking more than one rack, give them each their own baking sheet. Cover the ribs tightly with foil then bake for 3-1/2 hours at 250 degrees.

How do you cook pork spare ribs?

To cook pork spare ribs, place them on a rimmed half sheet pan and drizzle with about 1 cup of your favorite bbq sauce. If you have 20 minutes to spare, you can make my homemade bbq sauce for added flavor. Alternatively, you can use store-bought sauce for easier preparation.

How long do you cook spare ribs in the oven?

Bake the spare ribs in an oven set to 300 degrees F for 1 hour and 45 minutes. After removing the aluminum foil, take half of the remaining barbecue sauce and baste the 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.

How do you cook baby back ribs in the oven?

Once the baby back ribs have baked for another two hours, take them out of the oven, unwrap and turn the oven on high broil. Brush the ribs with the BBQ sauce mixture, then place them unwrapped into the oven. Broil on high for 3-4 minutes, or until the BBQ sauce starts to bubble and turn brown. Take out of the oven and serve immediately!

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