1-2-3-4 Spareribs Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

What temperature do you bake spareribs at? ›

Shoot for around 2 hours at 350 degrees if the ribs are uncovered, as in our Barbecued Pork Ribs. If wrapped in foil, the ribs can go for up to 3 hours at 300°F degrees, or crank the oven up to 400 degrees for a briefer baking time—1.5 to 2 hours.

I usually have to do it both ways as half of my household enjoys them falling off the bone while the rest of us enjoy ribs with a little bit more bite to them. If you are making spareribs, use the 3-2-1 method. If doing baby backs, the 2-2-1 method will work just fine.

Cover the baking sheet tightly with foil then bake for 3-1/2 hours at 250 degrees.

321 ribs are a foolproof way to get fall-off-the-bone ribs. The 321 rib method is based on smoking the ribs for 3 hours, wrapping them with liquid for 2 hours, and saucing them for the final 1 hour.

The best temperature to bake ribs is typically around 275°F to 300°F (135°C to 150°C).

Ideally, the internal temperature of the ribs should be between 190 and 200 degrees when you're finished. If you don't already have a meat thermometer, go ahead and invest in one.

Baby back rib cooking temperature

We want to keep the smoker at about 250°F (121°C) for the duration of the cook. To help keep that temp on target, you can use Billows BBQ Control Fan in conjunction with Signals. Signals reads the temperature and runs the fan to increase or limit the temperature.

To cook these ribs, I used the classic 3-2-1 method: 3 hours uncovered, 2 hours wrapped and 1 final hour uncovered. This style is very straight forward and can be done in the oven too, although I strongly recommend busting out the grill! This method ensures tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs, which is what we all crave.

The big difference between the two is how long you cook them. Baby back ribs don't need to cook as long because the cut is smaller, and the section the rack comes from features more tender meat. Spare ribs need a longer cooking time because of where the cut comes from and how large it is.

Do not fully submerge the ribs. Bake, covered tightly with foil until tender, about 3 hours. Editor's Note: A tightly sealed pan topped with aluminum foil will lock in the heat, steam and moisture around the ribs to keep them extra moist and juicy while they cook.

Can you overcook ribs at 275? ›

“If you're cooking at 275 and you're wrapping the ribs and you give them a long rest and then you slice and serve, chances are you're overcooking the ribs,” said Gonzalez. “Falling-off-the-bone ribs, that's technically overcooked.

Ribs should be cooked at 325°F for 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

““I LIKE TO START OUT AT 225 DEGREES FOR 3 HOURS, THEN I WRAP THE RIBS IN FOIL WITH BUTTER, BROWN SUGAR AND AGAVE. I THEN PUT THEM BACK ON THE GRILL AND TURN UP THE TEMPERATURE TO 250 DEGREES; I CHECK THEM AFTER AN HOUR AND A HALF AND AM LOOKING FOR A FINAL INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF 205 DEGREES.””

This method involves placing the ribs directly over indirect heat and basting with sauce every few minutes until cooked through.

The 3-2-1 Method is a process that involves smoking the ribs for three hours, wrapping them in foil and braising for two hours, and then smoking unwrapped for one hour. This not only helps the ribs cook faster, it ensures an even smoke ring and more tender meat.

Season with a BBQ Rub. Add the mustard and bbq rub to both sides of the ribs. Cook on a smoker at 250 degrees uncovered for 3 hours.