Are you looking for a delicious and easy way to cook beef back ribs in the oven? Look no further!
Slow cooking these ribs is the perfect way to achieve tender, fall-off-the-bone meat with a caramelized exterior. With a few simple steps and some basic ingredients, you can create a mouth-watering meal that will impress your family and friends.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of slow cooking beef back ribs in the oven, providing you with detailed instructions and tips to ensure your ribs turn out perfectly every time.
So, let’s get started!
How To Cook Beef Back Ribs In The Oven Slow?
Step 1: Prep the Ribs
Before you start cooking, it’s important to properly prep your beef back ribs. Start by patting them dry with paper towels and generously seasoning them with your favorite dry rub or steak seasoning. Make sure to coat both sides of the ribs evenly.
Step 2: Slow Cook the Ribs
Preheat your oven to 275°F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place the seasoned ribs on the baking sheet, bone-side up, and cover them tightly with another sheet of foil. This will help keep the moisture in and prevent the ribs from drying out.
Bake the ribs in the oven for approximately 3.5 to 4 hours, or until they are tender and easily pull away from the bone. You can check for tenderness by inserting a fork between the bones and gently twisting it. If the meat easily separates from the bone, then your ribs are ready.
Step 3: Add Barbecue Sauce
Once your ribs are fully cooked, remove them from the oven and discard any excess fat. Turn up your oven to broil and brush your favorite barbecue sauce onto the ribs. Be sure to coat them evenly.
Step 4: Broil the Ribs
Place the ribs back in the oven under the broiler for 2-3 minutes or until the sauce has caramelized and turned slightly crispy. Keep a close eye on them as this process can happen quickly.
Step 5: Rest and Serve
Remove the ribs from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more flavorful and tender rib.
Preparing The Ribs
Preparing the beef back ribs is a crucial step in achieving tender, flavorful meat. Begin by patting the ribs dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This will help the seasoning adhere better to the meat. Next, generously season both sides of the ribs with your favorite dry rub or steak seasoning. Be sure to coat the ribs evenly to ensure maximum flavor.
After seasoning the ribs, it’s time to slow cook them in the oven. Preheat your oven to 275°F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place the seasoned ribs on the baking sheet, bone-side up, and cover them tightly with another sheet of foil. This will help keep the moisture in and prevent the ribs from drying out.
Bake the ribs in the oven for approximately 3.5 to 4 hours, or until they are tender and easily pull away from the bone. It’s important not to rush this process as cooking low and slow encourages collagen in the meat to slowly break down, creating super tender beef.
Once your ribs are fully cooked, remove them from the oven and discard any excess fat. Turn up your oven to broil and brush your favorite barbecue sauce onto the ribs. Be sure to coat them evenly. Place the ribs back in the oven under the broiler for 2-3 minutes or until the sauce has caramelized and turned slightly crispy.
Finally, remove the ribs from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more flavorful and tender rib. With these simple steps, you can easily cook delicious beef back ribs in your oven slow and low.
Creating The Rub
Creating the perfect rub for your beef back ribs is an essential step in achieving a delicious and flavorful dish. While there are many pre-made rubs available on the market, making your own can be a fun and rewarding experience.
To create a basic dry rub, start with a base of salt and pepper. From there, you can add any combination of herbs and spices that you prefer. Popular additions include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin, and chili powder.
For a sweeter rub, you can add brown sugar or honey to the mix. To add some heat, try adding cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
When creating your rub, it’s important to keep in mind the amount of salt you are using. Too much salt can overpower the other flavors in your rub and make your ribs taste overly salty.
Once you have created your rub, generously coat both sides of the ribs with it before placing them in the oven. The rub will help to create a flavorful crust on the outside of the meat as it cooks low and slow.
Experiment with different combinations of herbs and spices until you find the perfect blend for your taste preferences. With a little practice, you’ll be creating mouthwatering beef back ribs that are sure to impress your friends and family.
Slow Cooking In The Oven
Slow cooking in the oven is a great alternative to using a slow cooker. While slow cookers operate at temperatures of around 80°C on low and 90°C on high, ovens function at higher temperatures. To use an oven as a slow cooker substitute, you will need to make some adjustments to the recipe. Preheat your oven to around 160°C and use a baking dish with a lid instead of a crockpot or slow cooker. If the recipe calls for a slow cooker setting, divide the cooking time by four for low and two for high. For instance, eight hours on low becomes two hours in the oven at 160°C, while six hours on high becomes three hours in the oven.
However, there are some disadvantages to slow cooking in the oven. There is a high risk of overcooking and drying out your meat, so it’s important to regularly check the core temperature with a meat thermometer. Additionally, slow cooking in the oven requires high energy consumption and can be more expensive than using a slow cooker.
If you want to convert a slow cooker recipe to an oven recipe, a dutch oven is your best option. A heavy Dutch oven or braising pan with a tight lid can be used for both browning meats and slow cooking. You can also use the pot from your slow cooker, but you won’t be able to use it on the stovetop. When cooking in the oven, it’s important to adjust your time and temperature accordingly. For example, you can cook at 210-220°F for an all-day cook or slightly higher at 240-250°F for a shorter cooking time.
To prevent your meat from drying out when using an oven instead of a slow cooker, add an extra cup of liquid to your recipe. Slow-cooker recipes tend to use very little liquid because the food is cooked so slowly, leading to less evaporation. The heavy cast-iron Dutch oven is an ideal replacement for the slow cooker because it tends to distribute heat evenly.
Basting The Ribs
Basting is an important step in cooking beef back ribs in the oven slow. It involves brushing the ribs with a flavorful marinade or sauce to keep them moist and enhance their flavor. Here’s how to baste your beef back ribs:
Step 1: Mix the Marinade
In a small bowl, mix together apple cider vinegar and hot pepper sauce. Divide the mixture between three small bowls.
Step 2: Baste the Ribs
After baking the ribs for the first hour, baste them with a third of the vinegar-hot sauce marinade. Make sure to coat both sides of the ribs evenly. Continue baking the ribs for three more hours, basting with the marinade two more times.
Step 3: Clean Your Basting Brush
After each use, wash your basting brush with hot soapy water to prevent cross-contamination and ensure that your ribs stay clean and safe to eat.
Step 4: Finish Cooking
At this point, after four hours in the oven, your beef back ribs are fully cooked and tender. However, you can reduce the oven temperature to 200°F and keep them in the warm oven for one more hour for extra tender meat with a wonderfully caramelized exterior.
Basting your beef back ribs with a flavorful marinade or sauce is an easy way to take them to the next level of deliciousness. Just make sure to follow these steps carefully for best results!
Finishing Touches And Serving Suggestions
Now that your beef back ribs are perfectly cooked and coated in delicious barbecue sauce, it’s time to add some finishing touches and serve them up. Here are some ideas to take your ribs to the next level:
1. Garnish: Sprinkle some chopped fresh herbs, such as cilantro or parsley, over the top of your ribs for a pop of color and flavor.
2. Side Dishes: Pair your ribs with some classic barbecue sides like coleslaw, mac and cheese, or baked beans. You can even serve them with some grilled vegetables or a simple green salad.
3. Drinks: Complement the bold flavors of your ribs with a cold beer or a refreshing cocktail. A classic margarita or a cold glass of lemonade would be perfect for a summer barbecue.
4. Presentation: Serve your ribs on a large platter, garnished with herbs and surrounded by your favorite sides. You can also serve them individually on plates with a small side salad for a more formal presentation.
5. Leftovers: If you have any leftover ribs, don’t worry! They make great leftovers and can be reheated in the oven or on the grill for a quick and easy meal later in the week.
No matter how you choose to serve them, these slow-cooked beef back ribs are sure to be a hit at your next barbecue or family dinner. Enjoy!