How to Cook Spare Ribs

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Spare ribs, or side ribs, are a cut of meat often used for slow-cooked barbecue. The cut is between the pork rib cage from the loin back ribs and from the sternum or breast bone. If you don't have access to an outdoor barbecue pit for slow roasting, you can learn how to cook spare ribs in the oven.

Part 1
Part 1 of 4:

Choosing Ribs

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  1. You may find the following types of rib:
    • Full slab of spare ribs. This cut is large, but contains a lot of extra bone, such as the rib tips and sternum. You will need to take into account that much of the weight you pay for will be thrown away because of the extra bones.
    • St. Louis rack. The butcher removes the rib tips and sternum portion, so that more of the cut you are buying is meaty. It is also more expensive.
    • Kansas City rack. The butcher removes rib tips, sternum and breast bone. This is the smallest rack and can be even more expensive per lb.
  2. (453 g) of ribs per person. The bones mean that there is a lot less meat to go around than with other cuts of meat. Some people suggest 1.25 to 1.5 lbs. (566 to 680 g) per person.
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  3. Most ribs are sold fresh, so it is better to wait to buy them until the day before you plan to cook them.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 4:

Making a Rub

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  1. They can season overnight.
  2. (20.7g) of smoked paprika, 2 tbsp.(16.2g) of ancho chile powder, 1.5 tbsp. (14g) of garlic powder, 1.5 tbsp. (10.8g) onion powder, 1 tbsp. (18g) salt and 1 tsp. (2.1g) cumin.
  4. Pat them dry with paper towels.
  5. Cut them in half, if you need them to be sectioned in order to fit in your oven.
  7. This side should have the most spices so that the flavor is absorbed into the meat.
  9. Place them in the refrigerator overnight to season.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 4:

Cooking Spare Ribs

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  1. You have several options, depending upon how low the heat in your oven goes.
    • Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius). Cook 6 to 8 hours.
    • Preheat the oven to 225 degrees Fahrenheit (107 degrees Celsius). Cook the ribs for 5 to 6 hours.
    • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (162 degrees Celsius). Cook the ribs for 3 to 4 hours.
  3. They should warm up slightly before going in the oven.
  5. Place aluminum foil over the top of the ribs.
  6. Set your timer for halfway through your total cook time.
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Part 4
Part 4 of 4:

Cooking Tips

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  1. The meaty area between the bones should read 170 degrees Fahrenheit (77 degrees Celsius).
  2. Keep them at the temperature, if they are below 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Check them again in 45 minutes.
  3. Keep them in the oven at this temperature for 2 to 3 hours to tenderize.
  4. Set the oven to broil for 10 minutes to seal in the sauce.
  5. Let them cool for 5 minutes.
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  • Question
    Would I still cook them for 3-4 hours on 325 if I wanted to cook them in a large toaster oven?
    Community Answer
    Cooking times would still be the same. The one variable is that a toaster oven tends to not have much temperature regulation, so it will probably alternately burn/undercook anything. Temperature regulation is the measure of quality in an oven.
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  • Question
    What is the fastest way to cook spare ribs in an oven?
    Community Answer
    Put them on a bed of onions and celery, then cover tightly with tinfoil so they steam. A single layer in a casserole dish will cook completely in a 325 degree F oven in about an hour. Uncover in the last 20 minutes so they can brown up.
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  • Question
    How long is the cooking time if I want to cook them in the oven, then finish on the grill?
    Community Answer
    The grill is only for grill marks and browning, so cook as usual in the oven and then grill them until you see the marks.
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      Tips

      • If you are worried you will ruin your baking sheet, cover the bottom of the sheet with aluminum foil. Choose a baking sheet with raised sides to catch juices.
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      • Know your meats before cooking. The cut shown in the picture is a bone in pork belly or spare ribs with the belly attached. These will be almost twice as thick as spare ribs you receive from the butcher and contain more fat via the belly which is what bacon is made of.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Rack of spare ribs
      • Brown sugar
      • Garlic powder
      • Ancho chile powder
      • Smoked paprika
      • Onion powder
      • Garlic powder
      • Salt
      • Cumin
      • Paper towels
      • Baking sheet
      • Plastic wrap
      • Aluminum foil
      • Oven
      • Knife
      • Barbecue sauce
      • Basting brush


      Related wikiHows

      • Slow Cook Ribs
      • Make Deep Fried Spareribs
      • Smoke Beef Ribs

      References

      1. http://whatscookingamerica.net/EricTurner/RibTips.htm
      2. http://www.kitchenriffs.com/2013/05/oven-slow-cooked-bbq-spare-ribs.html
      3. http://www.gq.com/how-to/eat-and-drink/200608/bbq-spareribs

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Before cooking spare ribs, rinse the rib rack with cold water, pat it dry with paper towels, and cut off any large pieces of fat. Next, rub both sides of the rack with a spice rub, then cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Afterwards, remove the ribs from the plastic wrap, cover them in aluminum foil, and cook them on a baking sheet in a 325 degree F oven for 1.5 to 2 hours. Finally, lower the temperature to 180 degrees F and cook for another 2 to 3 hours to tenderize the meat. To learn more, including how to make a brown sugar spice rub for your ribs, read on.

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