Cooking ribs in the oven typically takes around 2.5 to 6 hours depending on the temperature and type of ribs. For tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs:
- Cooking baby back ribs at 275°F will take about 2.5 hours.
- St. Louis style ribs take about 3 to 3.5 hours at the same temperature.
- Some recipes suggest starting at 225°F for 4 hours, then increasing to 250°F for 1 hour, followed by 275°F for another hour for a total of about 6 hours, aiming for an internal temperature of 190-200°F.
- After slow cooking, brushing ribs with BBQ sauce and finishing at 350°F for 20 minutes or broiling a couple of minutes can caramelize the sauce.
In general, ribs need a low and slow cook around 225-275°F for several hours until tender and juicy, reaching an internal temperature between 190-200°F for the best texture. Cooking times vary by rib type and oven, but slow cooking for 2.5 to 6 hours is a good range to achieve tender ribs in the oven.
