How Long Do You Cook Beef Ribs in the Oven? The Ultimate Guide
Cooking juicy fall-off-the-bone beef ribs in the oven is easier than you think! With the right technique, adding oven-baked beef ribs to your dinner menu can be a breeze. In this comprehensive guide I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make tender, mouthwatering ribs every time.
First Let’s Talk About Beef Rib Basics
There are a few different cuts of beef ribs to choose from:
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Beef short ribs are cut from the rib section and have the meat on top of the bones. They are the most commonly used ribs for oven roasting.
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Back ribs come from the upper rib section and have meat between the bones. They are larger and meatier.
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Dino ribs are whole beef short ribs and enormous in size at 12 inches long and over 1 pound each. You’ll need to visit a specialty butcher to find these.
For oven roasting I recommend choosing meaty beef short ribs or back ribs. Dino ribs work too but require more time.
Now Let’s Discuss Prepping Your Ribs
Before cooking, be sure to:
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Choose ribs with a nice marbling of fat throughout to keep them moist during roasting.
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Peel off the papery membrane from the back of the ribs. This makes them more tender.
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Season the ribs all over with a dry spice rub. This adds great flavor.
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Let the seasoned ribs sit for at least 20 minutes before roasting so the spices really penetrate.
Oven Temps and Cook Times
Beef ribs should be roasted low and slow to break down connective tissue. Here are general guidelines:
- Short ribs: 300°F for 2 1⁄2 – 3 hours
- Back ribs: 325°F for 2 – 3 hours
- Dino ribs: 300°F for 4+ hours
Use an instant read thermometer to test doneness. Temperature should be 195°F – 205°F for fall-off-the-bone ribs.
Should You Cover the Ribs?
You can cook ribs either uncovered or covered in foil. Here’s how each method impacts the end result:
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Uncovered: Better browning and caramelization of exterior. Meat can dry out.
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Covered: More moist and tender meat. No crispy crust forms.
For best of both, I suggest roasting uncovered until almost done, then wrapping in foil for remainder.
Adding Sauce
BBQ sauce adds great flavor but will burn if added too early. Brush it on during last 15-30 minutes once ribs are just about done.
You can also glaze the ribs after roasting by broiling them for a couple minutes per side with sauce.
Serving Suggestions
Oven-baked beef ribs pair nicely with simple sides like:
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Baked potatoes
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Coleslaw or potato salad
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Corn on the cob
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Macaroni and cheese
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Baked beans
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Cornbread
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Save leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 300°F until hot, adding sauce during last few minutes.
Freezing is also an option. Allow ribs to cool completely before freezing for 2-3 months.
The Takeaway
Cooking beef ribs in the oven is easy and delivers delicious results. Follow my tips on cuts, prep, temps, time, and sauce. In no time, you’ll be an oven-baked ribs pro!
What to serve with Beef Ribs in BBQ Sauce
The answer to this question depends on personal preference. Some people prefer their beef ribs to be fall-off-the-bone tender, while others prefer to have a bit of chew. I prefer my beef ribs to be tender, and moist and pull away from the bone easily.
If you prefer fall-off-the-bone ribs, cook them longer in the oven while they are covered in foil.
To refrigerate: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to enjoy, place the ribs into a hot oven to warm through.
To freeze: Once cooked and cooled, place the bbq ribs into an airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator before reheating in a warm oven to piping hot.
Removing the membrane (silver skin) from beef ribs is recommended as it can make them more tender and easier to eat. It can also help smoke and seasoning penetrate the meat more evenly for a more flavorful final product.
I like to cook ribs low and slow, so the meat is tender. Cook for 2 hour 45 minutes to 3 hours at 275 degrees Fahrenheit (135C).
The back ribs that I have used in this recipe are cut from the upper back of the cow, and the meat is between the bones. Whereas beef short ribs are cut from the lower section of the rib cage, beneath the back ribs, and with this cut, the meat sits on top of the bones.
Yes, its generally a good idea to cover beef ribs with foil while baking them in the oven. This will help to keep the meat moist and tender by trapping in steam and preventing it from drying out.
If you have tried this Oven Baked Beef Ribs recipe or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
How to cook beef ribs in the oven
Preheat the oven to 275 degrees Fahrenheit (135°C).
Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs. Season both sides of the ribs with bbq seasoning.
Place the ribs in a large baking dish or roasting pan and cover the pan with foil.
Bake for 2 hours and 45 minutes to 3 hours, or until the meat is tender.
Remove the ribs from the oven, remove the foil, and brush the ribs with your favorite bbq sauce.
Increase the heat to broil.
Return the ribs to the oven and broil for 4-5 minutes, until the sauce has caramelized and the edges are crispy.
Remove from the oven.
Let the ribs cool a little before slicing and serving.
These tips will help you make the best oven-baked beef ribs youve ever tried.
- For the best flavor, take time to properly season the ribs, rubbing the bbq seasoning over the entire set of ribs, front and back.
- This recipe is easily doubled up to serve a larger group of diners, as the cooking time for the ribs will remain the same for more or fewer ribs.
- The ribs should reach a temperature of 190 degrees Fahrenheit to 200 degrees Fahrenheit after baking and before broiling. This will result in tender ribs.
- For ease, I recommend using a quick-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the ribs.
- Allow the ribs to cool a little before serving, otherwise, you risk burning as the bbq sauce will be molten hot!
- Ive used a bbq seasoning, but you can use any dry rub blend to season the beef ribs. I find rubs more flavorful than just salt and pepper when it comes to ribs.
- Use any variety of bbq sauce; for example, for a really smoky flavor, use chipotle bbq sauce. Or try my jerk bbq sauce if you like that Caribbean flavor.
- If you like a little chili heat, add some red pepper flakes or chili powder to bbq seasoning or some of your favorite hot sauce to the bbq sauce.
- Try an Asian twist and swap the bbq sauce for hoisin or plum sauce.
How To Bake Beef Back Ribs
FAQ
How long do you leave beef ribs in the oven?
- remove the silver skin from the bottom of your ribs.
- season your ribs and let them sit for 30 minutes to an hour on the counter.
- prepare cooking surface, either a roasting pan or tin foil wrap.
- cook 215 for 8 hours or 225 for 6 hours.
- Let rest.
- heat and serve sauce on the side.
How long do you cook ribs at 350 degrees?
What is the 3-3-3 rule for ribs?
- Purpose: This initial phase allows the ribs to develop smoke flavor and color.
- Method: Place the ribs on the smoker, bone-side down, and cook at a temperature of around 225°F (110°C).
- Important: Ensure the smoker is producing enough smoke and that the temperature is maintained.
What is the best time and temperature for beef ribs?
Apply the rub (equal parts salt and black pepper). Cook the ribs, meat side up, at 285°F, for about 8 to 9 hours. Spritz during the final 2 to 3 hours.