To cook baby back ribs in the oven, the recommended method is to cook them low and slow for tender, fall-off-the-bone results. Here are the key guidelines:
- Preheat the oven to 275°F (135°C).
- Remove the silver skin membrane from the ribs and apply a spice rub or seasoning.
- Wrap the ribs tightly in aluminum foil to keep them moist.
- Bake the ribs for about 2.5 to 3.5 hours. Check at 2.5 hours to see if the meat is pulling away from the bones, which indicates they are done.
- Optionally, after baking, unwrap the ribs, brush with BBQ sauce, and broil or bake at a higher temperature (around 400°F) for 4-5 minutes to caramelize the sauce
If cooking at higher temperatures, the time decreases but the ribs might be less tender:
- At 300°F, cook for about 2.5 hours.
- At 350°F, cook for about 1.5 to 2 hours
For pre-cooked baby back ribs, reheat at 350°F for 25-30 minutes wrapped in foil, then broil uncovered for 5-7 minutes with BBQ sauce for a glazed finish
. In summary, the best and most common approach is:
- Cook at 275°F for 2.5 to 3.5 hours wrapped in foil for tender ribs.
- Finish with BBQ sauce and broil or bake uncovered briefly to caramelize