Pork ribs in the oven at 350

What makes a delicious plate of ribs that will have everyone asking for more? There are plenty of answers (depending on who you ask) when it comes to spices in a rub, or the balance of flavors in a sweet and smoky barbecue sauce that gets painted on ribs as they cook. Ingredients and cooking techniques like these are what make a rack of ribs require more than a few napkins—and so worth it.

Then there are barbecue pits, smokers and wood chips that factor into the conversation about what produces the best ribs. Serious pit masters will share tips on extra-long pieces of equipment and spray bottles to coax the ultimate flavors from their barbecue ribs. While celeb chefs can wax poetic about their homemade rubs and state-of-the-art smokers that make all the difference.

But if there's one cooking method that most home cooks would agree on when it comes to how to cook ribs, it's that cooking them in the oven is the easiest. Yes that's right: Your very own kitchen oven can be the only piece of equipment you need for making finger-licking-good ribs! IF you cook them at the right temperature, which should be 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Below, everything you need to know about how long to cook ribs in the oven at 350°F.

Related: Best Sides for BBQ Ribs

Food Safety 101

What do you need to keep in mind for food safety when cooking ribs? These helpful tips:

• Keep the meat separate from other food when shopping and bringing it home from the market.
• The meat should be stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to start to prepare and cook it.
• Always wash your hands before handling raw meat and make sure any juices do not come into contact with other food, utensils and kitchen surfaces.
• A food thermometer can help give an accurate measure of temperature for doneness of the meat.

How to Choose the Right Ribs

Ribs are always a great way to serve food at a gathering since they can be served warm or room temperature, and they work as a self-serve item on a buffet table. This type of meat selection can cook in the oven and then be served on platters family-style with an assortment of sides like mac and cheese, coleslaw, potato salad and buttery corn on the cob.

The types of ribs available for purchase include cuts that can be labelled as baby back ribs or back ribs, short ribs, loin ribs, spareribs or spare ribs listed as two words, St. Louis ribs or country ribs.

You can also make ribs with a sweet and sour flavor profile using soy sauce , garlic and a layer of brown sugar that caramelizes in the heat of the oven. The spices used to make a spice rub for ribs to cook in the oven can be as mild in flavor or extra hot as you like. Make a rub with a kick with onion and garlic powder, red pepper flakes and maybe a hint of cayenne.

How Long to Cook Ribs in the Oven at 350°F

How long you cook ribs in the oven depends on the temperature of the oven you are using and the cut of meat you are cooking. As with any meat you're cooking in the oven, the time can fluctuate depending on the thickness of the meat and the oven temperature. Use your cut of meat as a guide when estimating how long it will take to cook your ribs in the oven.

Keep in mind that removing the meat from the refrigerator about an hour before placing it in the oven will allow for even heat distribution during the cook time.

For country style ribs, average about 20-30 minutes. For baby back ribs, about 2 hours. For spareribs, more like 2 1/2 hours.

How to Cook Ribs in the Oven

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Place seasoned ribs in a shallow baking dish.
3. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. Ribs should bake until the meat begins to pull away from the bones.
4. If you want to add any kind of a sauce to your ribs, be sure and do so about 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time. Most sauces for ribs contain sugars, which will begin to burn before the meat is finished cooking if added too soon.
5. Allow the ribs to rest under a tent of tin foil for about 15-20 minutes after they are pulled from the hot oven to keep the meat tender. Add any toppings like chopped scallions, slices of red onion or chopped fresh herbs after the ribs have rested.

How Long Can Cooked Ribs Be Kept in the Refrigerator?

Leftover ribs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three to four days if stored properly. Wrap the ribs in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store in a shallow airtight container.

Can You Freeze Leftover Cooked Ribs?

You bet! Ribs can be wrapped in plastic wrap and foil to keep in the freezer for two to three months. Be sure and label the food and the date it was stored.

Next: How Long Does Cooked Chicken Last in the Fridge? We Find Out Once and For All 

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