When we hear ribs, the first thing that comes to mind is a smoking grill operated by someone in an apron in the backyard. So, imagine the joy you feel when you realize you can make tasty ribs in the oven? But as much as we’ve come to appreciate those moments, we’ve always prayed for an easier way.
Oven-baked ribs are the sure answer to an otherwise stressful recipe, which means you can have your favorite summer recipe anytime. But it also helps to be sure about how long you should roast ribs in the oven, which is why we’ll show you at 400F.
Ribs Nutrition Facts
Tips for Oven-Cooked Ribs
While knowing the time frame for cooking oven-baked ribs is excellent, learning some easy hacks for making the best recipes is even better. So, why not try these ideas the next time you’re making ribs in the oven?
Use a Cooling Rack-The best-baked ribs are those that come out evenly cooked, with enough juiciness in the meat. And to do so, try placing the ribs on a cooling rack and set the frame in a baking pan.
Broil First-When you broil the ribs first, you set in more moisture, so the flavor is better when it bakes. So, ensure to let the ribs broil at the top rack for about five minutes before you set it to bake.
Using Foil-You may be tempted to cover the ribs in foil before baking, but it’s not needed at the starting stage. When the ribs are cooked uncovered in the oven, they get a good browning on the surface. And if you’re worried it would dry out, cover it with foil after it has cooked halfway.
Seasoning Ideas-Baked ribs excel with a rich mixture of flavors. And you can use lots of spices like Cayenne pepper, onion powder, smoked paprika, brown sugar, granulated garlic, and mustard powder. Other options include crushed garlic, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, crushed chili, lemon juice, cider vinegar, chipotle pepper, sweet paprika, and ground cumin.
You can make a marinade from these spices and soak the ribs in it for hours or overnight. You can also make a dry spice rub if that’s what you prefer. Plus, brushing with BBQ sauce at about 30 minutes before the end of cooking adds depth and complexity to the flavor profile. And a few teaspoons of liquid smoke mixed with the wet spices blend with the sauce’s flavor to give you the smoky backyard barbecue feeling.
Oven-Baked Ribs Cooking Time
The length of cooking ribs in the oven depends on the type of ribs you’re using and the temperature it’s being cooked. But the most commonly baked types are the spare and baby back ribs for oven-baking. Each class takes different times to cook at 400F, with baby back ribs being the most tender. As such, the other cooking times are stated thus;
- Baby Back Ribs- 1½ hours
- Spare Ribs- 2 hours
Also, remember that pork ribs need to cook to an internal temperature of 140F. So, look out for this by checking with a meat thermometer.
PrintOven Pork Ribs (4 to 6 servings)
Ingredients
- One kg pork ribs, boneless
Marinade
- 1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 3/4 cup tomato paste
- Five cloves garlic, chopped and crushed
- Three tablespoons cider vinegar
- Three teaspoons paprika
- One teaspoon crushed chilli
- Juice from one lemon
- Rind from one lemon, finely grated
Instructions
- Stir the marinade ingredients in a large bowl and stir till they’re evenly mixed. Then, put the ribs in the marinade and slather the mixture over the surfaces to thoroughly coat both sides. Leave the ribs in the bowl and cover, then keep it in the fridge for about three hours or overnight.
- Prepare the oven to heat to 400F, then set a rack at the top shelf. Grease a roasting rack with oil and put it on a foil-lined roasting tin. Then, remove the ribs and set them on the roasting rack.
- Place the roasting tin on the top shelf, and bake the ribs in the oven for 30 to 40 minutes. Be sure to turn them at about halfway through. Take the ribs out when they read 140F on the meat thermometer. Or you can take them down at 135F and leave them to rest, so the carryover cooking raises it to 140F.
- Note that the marinade can also make a delicious sauce you can spoon over the roast. After taking the ribs out, transfer the marinade to a pot and cook it over medium heat. Then, stir the sauce as it boils until it thickens a bit.
More methods of cooking ribs in a 400F oven can be viewed in this video recipe.