Updated on October 15th, 2022
You’re probably one of the many people that have passed up a good many recipes for barbecued ribs over the years, maybe due to a lack of outdoor space for a grill or not having the grill itself. However, you do not need a grill to rustle up a tasty barbecue rib recipe, and we’ll prove it in this article.
The oven is one ideal and much-underappreciated environment for cooking ribs. Keep reading to find out our suggestions for the best results when cooking ribs in the oven. Also, take note of appropriate cooking times according to specific temperatures.
Ribs Nutrition Facts
Tips for Cooking Ribs in Oven
When you do decide to experiment with cooking ribs in the oven, we recommend following these suggestions to get the best out of your recipe:
Removing the membrane from the baby’s back ribs – Slide a dinner knife under the membrane and across a bone at one end of the rack. The membrane should be lifted and loosened until it tears. Grab the membrane’s edge and pull it off using a paper towel. It’s possible that the membrane will come off in one piece or that you’ll have to cut it up into smaller pieces.
Spice rub ideas – The spice rub you decide to use for your ribs is part of what determines how great they will taste when you’re done cooking them in the oven. The ingredients we recommend for a dry spice rub include the following:
- Smoked Paprika
- Dark Brown Sugar
- Black Pepper
- Granulated Garlic
- Granulated Onion
- Cayenne Pepper
- Ground Cumin
- Ground Mustard
Wrap the ribs in foil – A low-and-slow cooking approach is ideal for ribs. Most meat will benefit from being wrapped in foil for cook durations greater than two hours. For instance, baby back ribs typically take four hours to cook, whilst spare ribs will take closer to five hours. However, both kinds should be wrapped in foil after two and a half hours.
Ideally, the ribs should be baked uncovered first, then covered halfway through.
For enhanced circulation of heat – Place the ribs on top of a cooling rack inside the baking pan. This ensures that the heat is distributed evenly and allows the ribs to cook to a delicious consistency.
Knowing when the ribs are done – You’ve probably been told that ribs aren’t done until they fall off the bone, but in reality, if they reach that point, they’re already overdone. It is better to cook the ribs until a knife easily slips through the meat; at this point, they are properly done.
For a smoky flavor – The smoky barbeque flavor you get while cooking with the grill is something you won’t get with this oven method of cooking ribs. Unfortunately, this is correct. Add some extra smoked paprika to your spice rub, or mix some liquid smoke into the mustard before brushing it on to get a taste of that great flavor.
Do not be put off by the concept of using liquid smoke; despite its unnatural appearance, it is a natural component derived from the smoke of burning hardwood. For a light smokiness, use 1 teaspoon of the liquid smoke.
Bonus tip – Brush them with BBQ sauce when the ribs are about 30 minutes from being done. Little touches like this contribute to producing the tastiest oven-cooked ribs, and they come out incredibly delicate and flavorful.
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Cooking Time for Ribs in Oven
The time it takes to cook ribs in the oven depends on the type of ribs you’re making. The table below should guide you on appropriate cooking times for ribs at 300 F:
| Rib type and cooking temperature | Recommended cooking time |
| Baby back ribs at 300 F | 1 ½ to 2 hours |
| Spare ribs at 300 F | 2 ½ to 3 hours |
Oven-barbecued Ribs (6 to 8 Servings)
Ingredients
- 4 to 5 pounds of pork spare ribs or baby back ribs
- ¼ cup of Dijon mustard
- 1 to 2 teaspoons of liquid smoke (optional)
- 1 cup of spice rub
- 1 cup of barbecue sauce, plus more for serving
Instructions
- Aluminum foil should be used to line a rimmed baking pan. On top, place a wire cooling rack. Arrange the ribs in a single layer on top of the rack. This structure permits heat to circulate around the ribs on all sides.
- Brush the ribs on both sides with a mixture of mustard and liquid smoke (if you choose to use it). Sprinkle the dry rub over the ribs and gently pat to ensure the rub sticks to the meat. (Note: If you’d like a richer flavor, execute this step the day before.) Refrigerate the seasoned ribs after wrapping them using a plastic wrap.)
- Heat the broiler by placing an oven rack a few inches below the heating source. Make sure the ribs’ meaty side is facing up. Broil for 5 minutes, or until the sugar in the dry rub is sizzling and the ribs are evenly browned.
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the ribs in the center of the oven on an oven rack. Bake spare ribs for 2 ½ to 3 hours, or baby back ribs for 1 ½ to 2 hours. Halfway through cooking, cover the ribs with aluminum foil to keep them from drying out.
- 30 minutes before the cooking process is finished, brush the ribs with barbecue sauce, cover them again with foil, and continue to cook.
- When a knife readily glides into the thickest section of the rib meat, the ribs are done. Allow for a 10-minute rest period, then cut between the bones to separate the individual ribs. Serve the ribs with extra barbecue sauce for dipping on the side.
This recipe shows a fantastic way to cook ribs in the oven. The entire cook time for this recipe is 2 to 3 hours, with a preparation time of 20 minutes. If you need even more ideas on how to cook ribs in the oven, then you should check out this video recipe.
