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How Long To Cook Ribs In Oven At 400 & How To Do That
Whether you’re a seasoned rib-eating veteran or just getting into barbecue, knowing the right cooking time is key.
Here we’ll walk you through how long to cook ribs in oven at 400 degrees so they come out perfectly every time.
How Long Do You Cook Ribs In Oven At 400?
If you’re looking for a way to cook a rack of ribs that is quick and easy, then you should consider cooking ribs in the oven at 400 degrees.
Cooking ribs in the oven at 400 degrees is perfect for the person who does not have a lot of time on their hands or someone who just wants to have an easy time cooking their favorite meal.
You can still have great-tasting ribs without having to slave over them all day.
Cook Ribs With Foil
If you bake your ribs in aluminum foil in a 400°F oven, it will take between 1,5 and 2 hours. The foil will maintain the temperature within, allowing the ribs to cook rapidly while remaining soft and falling apart.
Cook Ribs Without Foil
Without the foil, ribs can take up to 3 hours and occasionally up to 5 hours to cook, depending on the temperature. Back ribs, for example, can take three hours to bake at 300°F, four hours at 250°F, and so on. The faster it cooks, the greater the temperature.
Boneless Ribs and Bones Ribs
Boneless ribs require 10% more cooking time than boneless varieties. This is because the meat is cooked at different speeds and it takes longer to have bones in it to protect it from drying out or burning during the high heat grilling sessions involved in certain situations such as Beef short ribs can go up to 300°F!
How To Cook Ribs In Oven At 400
If you’ve ever had ribs at a restaurant, you know how tasty they can be. But many people don’t realize that they can also be made at home with little effort.
Grilled Ribs Ingredients
- 2 slabs of pork ribs (about 1 to 1 ½ pounds each)
- Kosher salt
- Ground black pepper
- Vegetable oil
- ½ cup Barbecue Sauce
Direction
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400F.
Step 2: Place your rack of ribs on top of a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. This will help catch any drippings from the meat and make cleanup easier later on.
Step 3: Season both sides of the rack using salt and pepper or any other spices you like (e.g., garlic powder).
Step 4: Place another layer of aluminum foil over the top and crimp it tightly around the edges so no steam escapes while cooking.
Step 5: Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes at 400F, then turn over and bake for another 45 minutes until done.
Step 6: Remove from pan when finished cooking–be careful because hot juices may spill out! You’re ready to serve! If you want more flavor, try adding some barbecue sauce before serving or dipping it into your favorite dips such as ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing.
What To Serve With Ribs
The meaty main course begs for a side dish or two that are equally satisfying, and that’s where we come in. Here are some sides that pair perfectly with ribs.
Coleslaw
Rich, tender pork ribs are the perfect complement to the crunchy, tangy dressing on this slaw. For an extra kick, dress up your cabbage mixture with horseradish and apple cider vinegar.
Cornbread
This favorite is as delicious with pulled pork as it is with smoked beef brisket. The buttery cornmeal bread also makes a great breadcrumb substitute when mixed with panko and Parmesan cheese for a crispier casserole topping.
Baked Beans
Ribs and baked beans go together like peanut butter and jelly—the rich sweetness of the beans balances out the smoky and savory flavors of the pork ribs.
FAQs Related To How Long To Cook Ribs In Oven At 400
How Can I Tell If Ribs In Oven Are Done?
The best way to tell if your ribs in the oven are done is to use a meat thermometer.
Stick it into the meatiest part of the meat, making sure not to touch any bone. The temperature should be at least 145 degrees for beef and pork, and 165 for chicken.
If you don’t have a meat thermometer, you can also test the texture of the meat: it should be soft and tender enough that it falls off the bone when you gently lift it away from the rack with tongs or a fork.
You can also check if they’re done by cutting into them and seeing if they’re cooked all the way through; this is less ideal because you may lose some of their juices or overcook them while testing them.
If you don’t have a meat thermometer, you can also make a small cut in the middle to test their color: they should be pinkish-brown on the inside.
Why Are My Ribs In Oven Not Tender?
If so, you’re probably wondering why your ribs aren’t tender after cooking. Here are some reasons for ribs turning out not tender:
- The rib meat is cut too thick. Ribs should be cut thin enough to have a bit of chewiness, but they should not be so thick that they are tough.
- You overcooked the ribs. Ribs should be cooked just until they’re done—not too much longer than that!
- The dish was made with a dry rub instead of sauce on top. Dry rubs work well for pork chops or chicken breasts, but they don’t work so well with ribs because they tend to toughen up the meat and make it less flavorful.
- The dish was made with fatty cuts of meat like beef chuck roast instead of leaner ones like pork loin chops or chicken thighs. Fatty cuts tend to get more tender when cooked low and slow in liquid (like barbecue sauce). Ribs don’t need this type of extra fat for flavor; their natural fat content is plenty flavorful enough!
Conclusion
Thanks for reading our guide on how long to cook ribs in oven at 400 degrees.
We hope this information was helpful and that you will be able to create delicious, tender ribs using this cooking method.
What is your favorite rib recipe? Let us know in the comments below.
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