Are you craving some juicy and tender pork ribs, but don’t have access to a grill or smoker?
Fear not, because cooking ribs in the oven at 350 degrees is a great alternative that can yield delicious results.
But how long should you cook them for? And what are some tips and tricks to ensure they come out perfectly?
In this article, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about cooking pork ribs in the oven at 350 degrees.
From seasoning to baking times, we’ve got you covered.
So grab your apron and let’s get cooking!
How To Cook Pork Ribs In The Oven At 350?
Before we get into the specifics of cooking pork ribs in the oven at 350 degrees, it’s important to understand the different types of pork ribs available.
There are baby back ribs, spare ribs, and country-style ribs. Each type has its own unique qualities and cooking times.
For baby back ribs, you’ll want to cook them in the oven at 350 degrees for approximately 2 hours. Spare ribs will take a bit longer, around 2 and a half hours. Country-style ribs, on the other hand, only need to be cooked for 20-30 minutes.
To begin, start by washing your ribs and removing the membrane on the side of the rib rack. This can be done by loosening one end of the membrane with a knife and then pulling it off.
Next, season your ribs with your choice of dry rub. Make sure to dry off the ribs first so that the seasoning sticks well. Let them sit overnight or for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
Once you’re ready to cook, preheat your oven to 350 degrees and place your seasoned ribs in a baking dish. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake until the meat begins to pull away from the ends of the bones and the ribs are just tender, about 1 hour for baby back ribs and 2 hours for spare ribs.
After baking, remove the aluminum foil and brush your ribs with your favorite barbecue sauce. Place them back in the oven for an additional 10 minutes or until they’re crispy and heated through.
It’s important to keep an eye on your ribs while they’re cooking to ensure they don’t dry out or burn. If they’re not quite done yet, check them every 10 minutes until they reach your desired level of tenderness.
Preparing The Ribs
Before cooking your pork ribs in the oven at 350 degrees, it’s important to prepare them properly. Start by washing the ribs and removing the membrane on the side of the rib rack. This can be done by loosening one end of the membrane with a knife and then pulling it off.
Next, season your ribs with your choice of dry rub. Make sure to dry off the ribs first so that the seasoning sticks well. You can use a store-bought rub or create your own by combining spices such as brown sugar, chili powder, salt, black pepper, oregano, cayenne, garlic powder, and onion powder.
After seasoning, let the ribs sit overnight or for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat and gives you a more flavorful end result.
When you’re ready to cook, preheat your oven to 350 degrees and place your seasoned ribs in a baking dish. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake until the meat begins to pull away from the ends of the bones and the ribs are just tender, about 1 hour for baby back ribs and 2 hours for spare ribs.
After baking, remove the aluminum foil and brush your ribs with your favorite barbecue sauce. Place them back in the oven for an additional 10 minutes or until they’re crispy and heated through.
Remember to keep an eye on your ribs while they’re cooking to ensure they don’t dry out or burn. If they’re not quite done yet, check them every 10 minutes until they reach your desired level of tenderness. With these simple steps, you’ll have delicious and tender pork ribs cooked to perfection in no time!
Seasoning The Ribs
One of the most important steps in cooking delicious pork ribs is seasoning them properly. There are a variety of dry rubs you can use to add flavor to your ribs, but we’ll focus on a basic recipe that includes brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, granulated garlic, granulated onion, black pepper, white pepper, cayenne, smoked salt, and kosher salt.
To start, mix all of the dry rub ingredients together in a bowl. Make sure to break up any clumps and evenly distribute the spices.
Dry off your ribs with a paper towel and remove the membrane on the side of the rib rack by loosening one end with a knife and pulling it off.
Next, generously apply the dry rub to both sides of the ribs. Be sure to press the seasoning into the meat so that it sticks well. You can use as much or as little as you like, depending on your taste preferences.
Once your ribs are seasoned, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 4 hours but optimally 24 hours and up to 48 hours. This will allow the flavors to meld together and penetrate the meat.
When you’re ready to cook your ribs, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place your seasoned ribs in a baking dish and cover tightly with aluminum foil.
Bake your ribs for approximately 1 hour for baby back ribs and 2 hours for spare ribs or until the meat begins to pull away from the ends of the bones and the ribs are just tender.
After baking, remove the aluminum foil and brush your ribs with your favorite barbecue sauce. Place them back in the oven for an additional 10 minutes or until they’re crispy and heated through.
With this simple dry rub recipe and cooking method, you’ll have perfectly seasoned and tender pork ribs that are sure to impress your guests or satisfy your own cravings.
Choosing The Right Baking Dish
Choosing the right baking dish is crucial when cooking pork ribs in the oven at 350 degrees. A shallow baking dish or roasting pan is best for even cooking and to prevent the ribs from drying out.
Make sure the baking dish is large enough to fit your ribs without overcrowding them. Overcrowding can cause uneven cooking and prevent the ribs from browning properly.
If you don’t have a large enough baking dish, you can use a disposable aluminum foil pan or line your pan with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
It’s also important to cover your ribs tightly with aluminum foil to prevent moisture from escaping during the cooking process. This will keep your ribs juicy and tender.
Setting The Oven Temperature
Setting the oven temperature correctly is crucial when cooking pork ribs in the oven. To ensure your oven is at the right temperature, it’s important to use an oven thermometer. Place the thermometer on the middle rack of the oven and set the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Let the oven preheat and wait at least 10 minutes more for the temperature to level out from the preheating temperature spike.
Check the reading on the oven thermometer through the oven window. Because the oven temperature rises and falls several times throughout the baking cycle, take the average of two or more temperature readings. The more readings you take, the more accurate the average you calculate will be.
If you find that your oven temperature is off by more than +/- 30 degrees, you may need to calibrate it yourself or call a technician if it’s way off. For ovens with dial knobs, pull the knob off of the thermostat and you’ll probably see a small set screw in the middle. Use a pair of pliers to turn it ever so slightly (clockwise to lower the temperature, counterclockwise to increase the temperature).
For digital display ovens, many thermostats for electric models can be adjusted using the keypad – check your owner’s manual for the specifics, but typically you will hold down one or two buttons to access a “calibration mode” and use the arrows to adjust the temperature as needed.
After adjusting your oven’s temperature, remove your ribs from their baking dish and place them back in the oven to finish cooking. Keep an eye on them to ensure they cook evenly and don’t dry out or burn. With these tips, you’ll be able to set your oven temperature correctly and cook delicious pork ribs at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Baking The Ribs
To bake your pork ribs in the oven at 350 degrees, start by prepping your ribs as mentioned above. Once your seasoned ribs are in a baking dish, cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to keep the moisture in. This is important to ensure that the ribs don’t dry out during the cooking process.
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and let them cook for about an hour for baby back ribs and 2 hours for spare ribs. After this time, remove the aluminum foil carefully to avoid any hot steam escaping and brush your ribs with your favorite barbecue sauce.
Place the ribs back in the oven, uncovered, for an additional 10 minutes or until they’re crispy and heated through. This step is crucial to get that perfect caramelized crust on your ribs.
It’s important to keep an eye on your ribs while they’re cooking to ensure they don’t dry out or burn. If you notice that they’re getting too dry, you can baste them with some of their own juices or add a bit of water to the baking dish.
Once your ribs are done, remove them from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat and ensures that your ribs are tender and juicy.
Checking For Doneness
Checking for doneness in pork ribs can be a bit tricky, but it’s an important step to ensure that your ribs are safe to eat and cooked to perfection. While taking an accurate internal temperature in pork ribs is difficult due to thin layers of meat and interspersed bones, there are a few tips and tricks you can use to check for doneness.
One way to check for doneness is to use the bend test. Pick up the ribs with a pair of tongs and gently bend them. If they bend easily and the meat starts to pull away from the bone, they’re done. If they’re still stiff, they need more time in the oven.
Another way to check for doneness is to use a toothpick. Insert a toothpick into the thickest part of the meat between the bones. If it goes in easily and comes out clean, your ribs are done. If there’s still some resistance or if there’s any pinkness in the meat, they need more time in the oven.
Finally, you can also use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. While it’s difficult to get an accurate reading due to the bones, try inserting the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat between the bones. The temperature should read between 198 and 202 degrees F.
Remember that it’s always better to check for doneness rather than rely on cooking time alone. With these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to cook tender and juicy pork ribs every time.