Want to know how to cook ribs in the oven at 350 degrees? Come find out!
Cooking ribs in the oven differs from cooking them on a grill or smoker. So, there may be a bit of an oven learning curve.
Why 350 degrees? Because that is the sweet spot for ribs. But you have to know the perfect time, too.
Otherwise, you may overcook the meat. No one wants that. Overcooked ribs are dry and rubbery- even my dogs dislike them.
Keep reading to learn how long to cook ribs in the oven at 350!
Types of Ribs
The first thing to know about ribs is that they are not created equally. In fact, there are several different types.
First, pick between beef and pork ribs. And once you make that decision, there is still more to do!
Let’s look at the various pork ribs types first.
Pork Ribs
Baby Back Ribs
Also known as short ribs or just back ribs.
Baby back ribs are small and fat. Butchers source them from the area on a pig where the ribs and backbone meet.
At their long end, the ribs are approximately 6 inches long. The shortest side is closer to 3 inches.
The whole rack usually weighs less than 2 pounds.
Baby back ribs are tender but do not have a lot of fat. This makes them the easiest ribs to overcook and dry out.
Spare Ribs
Spare ribs are all-around larger than baby back ribs.
They weigh between 2-4 pounds per rack. And they are noticeably longer on both the short and long ends.
They come from the ribs closer to the pig belly, behind the shoulder. So, they are also called side ribs.
They have less of a curved shape than baby back ribs.
If the butcher trims away the rib tips, they becomeSt. Louis-style ribs. (You will recognize them by their rectangular shape.)
Both spare and St. Louis-style ribs cook more slowly than baby back ribs. They also have more fat and are less prone to drying out.
Country-Style Ribs
Many people do not lump country-style ribs in with regular ribs. They are often boneless.
Really, these are more rib steaks than actual ribs and come from the pig shoulder.
Occasionally, butchers leave some of the shoulder bone in them. You may know these as blade chops or shoulder steaks.
Beef Ribs
Now, let us look at the different beef rib varieties.
Short Ribs
Short ribs are the most popular beef ribs. They often come from the Short Plate (cow belly).
But sometimes, they come from the section nearest the Short Plate (chuck ribs).
These are just dino ribs (next section) cut into more manageable pieces. Usually, they are about 3 inches long.
Dino Ribs
Whole beef ribs (or plate ribs) are gigantic! Each rib is about 12 inches long and weighs over 1 pound!
So no, you will not see these ribs sold whole very often.
But when you do, butchers often label them as dino ribs. (About their large size being dinosaur-like.)
They come from the cow Short Plate. They are the uncut version of most short ribs.
How to Cook Ribs in the Oven at 350
Once you know which ribs you want to use, you can get cooking!
This is how:
1. Prepare.
Remove the ribs from the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking them. This gives them time to warm up and ensures they cook more evenly.
Set the oven rack in the middle position and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Remove the membrane.
Use a spoon to slide under the membrane and loosen it from the bone. If it doesn’t come away nicely, use a knife to cut it out.
Then, pull the membrane away from the ribs and discard it.
3. Dry, season, and wrap the ribs.
Pat the ribs dry with a paper towel. Then, season them generously with your choice of dry rub.
Finally, wrap them tightly in aluminum foil. Place them on a shallow-rimmed baking sheet.
4. Bake.
Bake at 350 degrees for 2 hours.
5. Unwrap, flip, and cover with sauce.
Remove the ribs from the oven. Unwrap them, and discard any excess drippings. Flip the ribs over and coat them with BBQ sauce.
6. Broil.
Return the ribs to the oven and broil them until the sauce thickens.
7. Flip, cover with sauce, and broil again.
After the sauce thickens, remove the ribs from the oven once more. Flip them over, and cover the other side generously with BBQ sauce.
Place them back in the oven and let them broil for another 30 minutes. Add extra sauce as necessary during this last round of cooking.
8. Remove, rest, and enjoy!
Finally, remove the cooked ribs from the oven. Let them rest for 15 minutes before serving them. Then, enjoy!
Is 350 Too High For Ribs?
Fortunately, 350 degrees is not too high for cooking ribs. In fact, as I mentioned earlier, it is the sweet spot.
It is a high enough temperature that the ribs won’t take 5 or 6 hours.
But it is still low enough to break down the fat and collagen. This keeps the ribs from drying out.
If you want the juiciest, most flavorful ribs, 350 degrees is perfect.
Just be mindful of the type of ribs you cook. The cut of the rib will affect the cooking time.
Typically, baby back and short ribs need 2-2.5 hours in the oven at this temp. Country-style ribs will only require between 20-30 minutes.
Large beef ribs may take longer.
Should You Wrap Ribs in Foil?
Yes, wrap your ribs in foil. This is the best way to speed up your cooking time without compromising your meat.
Plus, the foil locks in moisture and flavor! And your ribs will be succulent.
However, remove the foil before broiling the ribs at the end. Doing so will allow them to form a crispy skin on the outside.
And we all know that is the money piece.
What Makes Ribs Bake in the Oven Faster?
You have two options for speeding up your rib-cooking time:
- Wrap them in foil.
- Let them warm to room temperature before cooking them.
Both will contribute to quicker cooking times. They will also ensure the ribs cook more evenly to keep flavor and moisture.
Can You Overcook Ribs?
You can overcook ribs, and you do NOT want to do it! Overcooked ribs are dry, rubbery, and hard to eat.
Luckily, you can avoid overcooking by cooking the ribs at 350 degrees.
This temperature is low enough that it should not dry them out. But it is high enough that they cook as quickly as possible.
How to Tell if the Ribs Are Done
The best, most sure-fire way to know ribs are ready is with a meat thermometer.
- Spare ribs and baby back ribs should read 185-200 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Country-style ribs are done when they read 145-160 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Beef ribs are ready at 145 degrees. But continue cooking them until a reading of 195-200 degrees. (The higher temperature makes them more tender.)
If you don’t have a thermometer, check the bone.
- Do you see 1/2 an inch of bone protruding from the meat? They are probably done. (This method is not always accurate.)
How Long Should You Let The Ribs Rest After Cooking?
Let your ribs rest for 15 minutes after cooking them.
This allows the juices time to infuse every piece of the meat. (Instead of pouring out if you cut them too soon).
It makes the ribs juicier, moister, and more flavorful.
Tips for the Best Baked Ribs
Here are a few additional tips for “best practices” when cooking ribs:
- Brine the ribs first. Brining ribs is simple. Make a mixture of cold water, salt, sugar, and any additional spices in an airtight container.
- Then, place the ribs in the mix and seal the container. Let them sit for 30 minutes.
- Brining will lock in flavor and moisture and prevent drying out.
- Make your own dry rub. Creating your own dry rub ensures you get the flavors you want.
- Do you enjoy a lot of garlicky flavors? Are you someone who likes heat? Is dill your favorite secret ingredient?
- If you create your own dry rub, you can tweak it to suit your tastes.
- Do not forget the sauce. Adding BBQ sauce to your ribs makes them extra flavorful and juicy. Do it in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
What to Serve with Baked Ribs
You can serve whatever you like with baked ribs!
But here are a few of my favorite options if you need a few ideas:
- BBQ Baked Beans
- KFC Copycat Coleslaw
- Texas Roadhouse Rolls
- Kraft Mac and Cheese
- Creamy Broccoli Salad
- Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
- Funeral Potatoes
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Storing & Reheating Leftover Cooked Ribs
You can store leftover ribs in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Store them in an airtight container or Ziploc-style bag after cooling.
To Reheat:
- Lay them in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Then, bake for 10-15 minutes to warm them.
Can You Freeze Leftover Cooked Ribs?
You can freeze leftover cooked ribs. However, you will need to cut them into more manageable-sized pieces first.
Here are the steps for freezing leftover ribs:
- Let the ribs cool.
- Cut them into smaller pieces that will fit in freezer bags.
- Place the ribs in freezer-safe Ziploc bags.
- Remove as much air from the bags as possible, then seal them.
- Date the bag and place it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Ready to reheat and eat your frozen ribs? Let them thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, reheat them in the oven, air fryer, or stove.
Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees before serving.
How Long to Cook Ribs in the Oven at 350
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servings10
minutes2
hours45
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kcalLearn how long to cook ribs in the oven at 350 with this delicious recipe. With 2 hours of baking and 1 hour of broiling, these tasty ribs fall off the bone.
Ingredients
1 slab baby back ribs
BBQ dry rub, to taste
1 bottle of BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the rack in the middle position.
- Slide a spoon under the rib membrane to loosen it from the bone. Then, remove and discard it from the back of the ribs. (Use a knife if necessary.)
- Use a paper towel to pat the ribs dry. Then, rub them generously with dry rub.
- Use aluminum foil to wrap the ribs. Then, transfer them to a shallow-rimmed baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 2 hours.
- After the ribs have cooked for 2 hours, remove them from the oven. Then, remove them from the baking sheet and unwrap them. Drain any excess fat, oil, or other drippings.
- Flip the ribs over and cover the now-on-top side generously with BBQ sauce.
- Set the oven to broil. Broil the ribs until the sauce begins to thicken.
- Once the sauce thickens, remove the ribs from heat. Then, flip them and generously apply BBQ sauce to the other side.
- 10. Return the ribs to the oven and broil for 30 minutes. If necessary, reapply more BBQ sauce while the ribs are broiling.
- 11. Remove the ribs from the oven. Let them rest for 15 minutes before serving them. Serve and enjoy!
