How Long to Cook Pork Ribs in the Oven for Perfectly Tender Results

Juicy fall-off-the-bone oven baked pork ribs are easier to make than you think. With the right time and temperature you can skip grilling and smoke lengthy barbecue methods, and make restaurant-quality ribs at home.

But how long should you bake pork ribs for them to be fully cooked without drying out? Read this whole guide to find out the best times to bake different kinds and sizes of ribs in the oven.

Oven Baking Times for Pork Ribs

There are a lot of things that can change how long pork ribs need to bake:

Type of Rib

• Baby back ribs – These small, curved ribs are cut from the loin near the backbone. They usually take 1-1.5 hours to bake.

• Spare ribs – Taken from the belly section, these ribs have more fat and need longer baking times of 2-3 hours.

• Country-style ribs – Cut from the shoulder, they are meatier than spare ribs. Bake for 2-2. 5 hours.

• St. Louis ribs – Shape of spare ribs with tips removed. Bake for 2-3 hours.

Weight of the Rack

• 1-2 lb rack – Bake baby back ribs for 1 hour, spare ribs for 2 hours

• 3-4 lb rack – Bake baby back ribs for 1.5 hours, spare ribs for 2.5-3 hours

• 5 lb rack – Bake spare ribs for 3 hours

Bone-In vs Boneless

• Bone-in ribs retain more moisture so require longer baking. Boneless ribs cook faster.

Covered vs Uncovered

Covering ribs with foil allows steam to keep them moist. Uncovered ribs may dry out faster.

Step-by-Step Baking Instructions

Follow these simple steps for juicy, flavorful oven baked ribs:

1. Prep the ribs – Remove membrane, season with rub or marinade. Let sit 30 minutes.

2. Preheat oven – Heat to 250°F (lower temp equals slower cooking for tender meat).

3. Cover tightly with foil – Wrap entire rack to seal in moisture. Use heavy duty foil.

4. Bake ribs – Place foil-wrapped ribs meaty side up on a baking sheet. Bake at 250°F using recommended time for weight/type of ribs.

5. Check for doneness – Carefully unwrap one end of ribs. Meat should be very tender and shrink away from bones.

6. Uncover and broil – Unwrap ribs and broil 3-5 minutes to caramelize sauce and crisp exterior.

7. Let rest 5-10 minutes – This allows juice to redistribute through the meat before cutting.

8. Serve and enjoy! – Slice between bones and dig into your tender, juicy oven baked ribs!

Oven Baked Rib Cooking Times

Use these oven bake times as a general guideline for ribs:

Baby Back Ribs

• 1-2 lb rack: Bake at 250°F for 1 hour
• 3-4 lb rack: Bake at 250°F for 1.5 hours

Spare Ribs

• 1-2 lb rack: Bake at 250°F for 2 hours
• 3-4 lb rack: Bake at 250°F for 2.5-3 hours
• 5 lb rack: Bake at 250°F for 3 hours

Country-Style or St. Louis Ribs

• 1-2 lb rack: Bake at 250°F for 2 hours
• 3-4 lb rack: Bake at 250°F for 2.5 hours

Boneless Country-Style Ribs

• Bake at 250°F for 1.5-2 hours

Tips for Moist, Tender Oven Baked Ribs

• Always use meat thermometer to confirm ribs reach 200°F when done.

• Spray foil with nonstick spray before wrapping ribs to prevent sticking.

• Add apple juice, beer or broth inside foil wraps for extra moisture.

• Choose racks similar in size so they bake evenly (or stagger on baking sheets).

• For charred finish, broil ribs once sauce is brushed on for last 3-5 minutes.

How to Tell When Ribs Are Done

It can be tricky to judge doneness for oven ribs since you can’t see the meat. Here’s how to know ribs are fully cooked:

• Meat thermometer inserted in thickest part reads 200°F

• Meat has contracted and shrunk back from the ends of the bones

• Bones wiggle easily when rack is picked up

• Meat tears easily when poked with a fork

• Sauce is bubbling thickly (if cooking unwrapped)

The most reliable test is checking temperature. Pork should reach at least 200°F for food safety and ribs to be considered fully done.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

It’s easy to end up with dry, tough ribs if you cook them wrong. Avoid these errors:

• Baking at too high of a temperature like 350°F

• Not covering ribs fully with foil seal

• Cooking too many racks crowded on one baking sheet

• Cutting rack membranes off improperly leaving parts attached

• Brushing on sauce too early before bake time is done

• Not allowing ribs to rest before cutting into them

Serving Oven Baked Pork Ribs

Baked ribs pair perfectly with traditional barbecue sides. Serve them with:

• Corn on the cob
• Coleslaw
• Baked beans
• Mac and cheese
• Potato salad
• Cornbread or biscuits

Leftover ribs can be stored covered in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven at 300°F until warmed through, about 20-30 minutes.

Oven Baked Ribs Recipe

Try this simple baked ribs recipe for insanely tender, fall-off-the-bone results:

Ingredients:

• 1 (4 pound) rack of pork spare ribs
• 1⁄4 cup barbecue rub
• 1 cup barbecue sauce

Instructions:

1. Remove membrane from back of ribs and trim excess fat. Rub seasoning all over ribs.

2. Wrap entire rib rack tightly in two layers of heavy duty foil.

3. Bake ribs meaty side up at 250°F for 3 hours.

4. Carefully open foil and test for doneness. Meat should be very tender.

5. Brush ribs with barbecue sauce, return to oven and broil 5 minutes to caramelize sauce.

6. Let ribs rest 10 minutes before cutting into individual ribs to serve.

Enjoy your fall-off-the-bone tender oven baked ribs! Adjust bake times as needed to suit different weights or types of ribs.

More Delicious Oven Baked Rib Recipes

If you love baking ribs in the oven, try these other amazing recipes:

• Brown Sugar Garlic Baked Ribs
• Sweet and Spicy Sriracha Ribs
• Coca-Cola BBQ Rib Recipe
• Baked Lemon Pepper Ribs
• Baked Ribs with Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce
• Easy Peach Baked Ribs

Baking truly is the easiest hands-off method for cooking ribs to tender, mouthwatering perfection. Ditch the grill and smoker, and make your next rack of ribs in the oven. Just be sure to allow plenty of time for the low and slow baking that breaks down the collagen for meat that’s fall-apart tender. In just a few simple steps, you’ll enjoy restaurant-worthy ribs and impress everyone at home with your pitmaster skills.