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BBQ Ribs That Fall Off The Bone

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  • #17189

This recipe uses a secret cooking method to produce wonderfully tender and flavorful ribs. It's important to use heavy duty plastic wrap and aluminum foil for best results with this recipe.


serves/makes:
  
ready in:
  2-5 hrs
Rating: 5/5

28 reviews
4 comments

ingredients

1 rack pork ribs
1 bottle favorite barbecue sauce

directions

Set oven at 300 degrees F.

Baste ribs with the barbecue sauce. Wrap ribs tightly in plastic wrap. Place wrapped ribs on large sheet of aluminum foil, seam side up. Wrap the plastic-wrapped ribs in the aluminum foil, making an envelope.

Place envelope of ribs on a cookie sheet or in shallow pan, seam side up. Place in heated oven and bake for 3 hours. Unwrap and serve. Be very careful as there will be steam build-up inside the package. Serve with coleslaw, baked beans and hush puppies or corn bread.

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recipe tips


Make sure the ribs are completely sealed in the plastic and foil to trap the steam.

Be careful when opening the package after baking to avoid steam burns.

For added flavor, consider marinating the ribs before basting with barbecue sauce.

Let the ribs rest for a few minutes after baking for easier handling and cutting.

Consider basting the ribs with additional barbecue sauce after unwrapping and broiling for a few minutes for a caramelized texture.

Adjust the amount of barbecue sauce used based on the size of the rib rack and your personal preference.

Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness; ribs are typically done when they reach an internal temperature of about 145 degrees F.

If you prefer a crispy exterior, finish the ribs on a grill or under a broiler.

Keep the oven door closed during baking to keep a consistent temperature.

Serve the ribs with extra barbecue sauce on the side for those who prefer more sauce.

common recipe questions


Is it safe to cook ribs wrapped in plastic wrap in the oven?

Yes, it is safe as long as you use heavy-duty plastic wrap and it is completely covered with heavy-duty aluminum foil to prevent direct heat exposure.

Can I use a different type of ribs for this recipe?

Yes, you can use beef ribs or spare ribs, but cooking times may vary.

How can I make this recipe on a grill?

You can cook the foil-wrapped ribs on a grill over indirect heat for a similar effect.

Can I prepare the ribs a day ahead?

Yes, you can prepare and wrap the ribs a day ahead and refrigerate until ready to cook.

What if I don't have heavy-duty plastic wrap?

You can use regular plastic wrap, just make sure to double wrap it and cover it completely with heavy-duty foil.

Is there a way to add a smoky flavor to the ribs in the oven?

You can add liquid smoke to the barbecue sauce or use a smoky barbecue sauce.

Can I use my own homemade barbecue sauce?

Yes, you can use your favorite homemade barbecue sauce.

How do I know when the ribs are done?

The ribs are done when the meat is very tender and easily pulls away from the bone.

How should I store and reheat leftovers?

Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container and reheat in the oven or on the grill.


nutrition data

1194 calories, 84 grams fat, 22 grams carbohydrates, 81 grams protein per serving.
Show full nutritional data (including Weight Watcher's Points ®, cholesterol, sodium, vitamins, and diabetic exchanges)


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reviews & comments

  1. VEGAS BOB REVIEW:

    THE BEST AND EAST....300 FOR 3 HOURS....CAN NOT MISS!!!

  2. Guest Foodie REVIEW:

    I have done this many times. I usually put mustard as binder and then my rub. I take the oven down to 250 and do 3-4 hours and then finish in grill for nice bark.

  3. PuttPutt ,,, REVIEW:

    OMG easiest, and best results ever! My husband is the cook and specially barbqu but he was out of town so I tried it. This is company worthy! I used sweet baby ray hickory and brown sugar. I was afraid of Saran Wrap so used oven bag with a touch of flour. I did use all good heavy duty wraps and after 3 hours, opened, removed bag and continued to cook with foil partially open to brown and absorb some of the sauce. Loved it, loved it!

  4. Ppete REVIEW:

    Followed recipe, cooked 3 hours at 300, best rib recipe ever!

  5. mooch REVIEW:

    I truly expected this recipe to be a joke and have plastic melted everywhere but instead I just had the most tender delicious ribs ever. I used brand name plastic wrap and the heaveiest duty foil I could find. Cool recipe!

  6. Guest Foodie REVIEW:

    Don't be afraid of this recipe. It works. Just follow the directions and you'll end up with the best ribs ever.

  7. lyricann REVIEW:

    My family loves this rib recipe. It sure doesn't get an easier than this! The only thing that I do differently is I use a large roasting bag instead of the plastic wrap. That way I don't have to peel the plastic before serving. Super yummy recipe!!

  8. Wow! REVIEW:

    I'm always afraid of trying a new recipe on guests so we gave this a test run before a party. There was no need to worry because this recipe turned out perfect. I had heard of the method with the plastic wrap and foil but never believed it could work. It did! The meat was incredibly tender and more flavorful that most ribs I've tried I think because it was sealed in so tight. Also nice because it made no mess when it cooked.

  9. Stina

    I am making these now, I'm a bit afraid of using plastic wrap, so I'm using Reynolds oven bags. For those of you who used the bags, did you put flour in with the bag? Directions say on oven bag box to add flour in bag to prevent bursting. I don't want to add flour if I don't have to. Thanks!

  10. ispthn REVIEW:

    My old profession was cooking, and worked in Kitchens for over 28 years. I did not question wrapping the ribs in Saran Wrap under foil. Have done this with numerous dishes to retain moisture. I would only recommend after 3 hrs of cooking, to unwrap & brush with BBQ sauce again, and cook for maybe 10 minutes uncovered. They are definitely fall off the bone.

  11. thechef REVIEW:

    Do not be afraid of the plastic wrap, this recipe is legit. I cooked some pork ribs just like it told me to, and in 3 hours I had a some of the best homemade ribs I've made to date. Trust this recipe!!!

  12. Guest Foodie REVIEW:

    Definitely fall-off-the-bone tender. Easy and done in 3 hrs. We found removing the plastic wrap at 2-1/2 hrs then placing on grill with foil adds to the great taste and look. A+

  13. mom2aj REVIEW:

    I questioned the plastic wrap when I read this, but stupidly assumed that using it in a cooler oven would be okay (and that the author must know something I don't). I ended up with melted wrap and ribs that are unsafe to eat. $15 down the drain and no dinner for the kids. They smell great and do fall off the bone, so I bet they would taste great. Wish I could find out!! We're off to KFC . . .

  14. nanaannemarie REVIEW:

    these were very good!. While still frozen, I smeared them with John Boy and billys grilling sauce both sides, wrapped in 2 layser of saran wrap and then 2 layers of heavy duty foil. Into the oven for 3 hours at 300. They were perfect. Might use a sweeter sauce next time

  15. BBQ Brian

    Remove skin from back of ribs before starting!! Do not wrap in just foil and let stand overnight or foil will dissolve into meat (gross!). OK to cook with plastic wrap as long as you keep the temperature low as directed.

  16. kamita11 REVIEW:

    This recipe was GREAT! I used previous reviewers advice and used an oven cooking bag instead of the plastic wrap. Came out soooo tender. I finally found a rib recipe to keep. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

  17. Lalamode26 REVIEW:

    I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious the ribs were! I used a turkey bag instead of cellophane (less mess and no melting!)and wrapped them around reynolds wrap foil.I didn't need the heavy duty type, or the larger foil, I just cut two big pieces to flip over and make an envelope with seams up. I made two racks of ribs (and two bottles of BBQ sauce)and kept in for about 3 hours. Still fell off the bone and was great! Used the Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ and husband was very satisfied with the ribs! Worth trying! I'm making for racks for Easter!!

  18. missyt REVIEW:

    The ribs were definiately falling off the bone but the plastic was melted all over the meat! We did pick and scrape but the little we sampled tasted good. Not sure what went wrong

  19. Cinnamarie REVIEW:

    Loved these! We tried and crossed our fingers on the plastic wrap. I went out and bought the Expensive kind... Reynold's Plastic Wrap and their Heavy Duty Foil. This was sooo simple! I used Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce (bought at WalMart) and it was great! Our meat was a bit fatty, but we will now be looking for better ribs for future dinners.

  20. Ribman REVIEW:

    I love ribs, and I am very particular about which resteraunts I will order ribs from. In fact there is only one in my area. These come out so phenominal, that this would rate as a top resteraunt. I go one step beyond and slope some fresh BBQ sauce on at the and and throw them on the barbie for a few minutes to give that crisp and sticky outside with the super moist inside. Awesome!!!

  21. Overwhelmed REVIEW:

    O!!!M!!G!!!! I tried this recipe and my ribs was some tender, I could hard get unwapped from the plastic. The only thing I recommend is to put on your favorite bbq sauce or rub at to start. The one I used was not that good. Can one recommend one. Hot and sweet is how I like it.

  22. jennifer REVIEW:

    This recipe is amazing and comes out perfect every time! I've been making it about twice a month now, and my family just loves it. Usually we only eat ribs at a Texas BBQ restaurant, but now we can do it more affordably at home. THANK YOU! I'm passing it on to everyone I know!

  23. Emerilwannabe REVIEW:

    Although the recipe did create "fall off the bone" I can't really comment on the flavour or actual moistness of the ribs. I wraped them in Glad plastic wrap and foil and 1.5 hrs later at 300 degrees the plastic had melted and fell apart. I couldn't trust the ribs to be plastic free so it became an expensive lesson... I knew I shouldn't have used plastic wrap ... thanks for nothing... I guess it's true not everything on the net is good for you...

    • You don't mention if you used heavy duty foil or not - that is imperative for this recipe. And don't use generic brands either, use a good quality heavy duty foil.

  24. Guest Foodie REVIEW:

    Even better if you cook the ribs in zesty italian dressing in the oven, cook at 325 for 2 hours. Remove them from the foil and plastic wrap them cover them in bbq sauce and throw them on a grill for 10 minutes to crystalize the sugar. they still fall off the bone and the flavor is AMAZING!

  25. cj REVIEW:

    I used one of those cooking plastic bags but instead of using the twist tie I just wrapped it sung around the ribs and then made the foil envelope. They came out great, will make them again for sure.

  26. AllieCat461 REVIEW:

    This was a fantastic recipe. I used Reynolds Plastic Wrap and Reynold Heavy Duty Foil. The plastic didn't melt and the ribs just fell apart. Although, I love just about any kind of BBQ Ribs, my husband doesn't normally like ribs and he loved these! Will certainly be a regular at our house from now on.

  27. lauren

    What kind of aluminum foil or plastic wrap doesn't melt the plastic wrap? The plastic melted. Is this suppose to happen? Did I cook it too long?

  28. jabbagroovy

    Hello, I need some help, tried this recipe this evening, absolutley spectacular! But the only question I have is, did I do something wrong? The plastic wrap I used melted? I followed the recipe to a tee, but the plastic wrap was all melted and stringy? Any comments and suggestions, would be most welcomed. Thanks, Sean

    • : It may depend on the quality of the aluminum foil you are using

  29. trabo1 REVIEW:

    This is the best rib recipe I've ever found! Extremely easy to make and they literally fall off the bone, restaraunt style!!!

  30. brikim2437 REVIEW:

  31. dawnkeyfogg REVIEW:

    Don't wrap in plastic wrap. It would melt onto the ribs. Just wrap the foil really tight!

  32. MissMarley REVIEW:

    First of all, the plastic wrap does not melt! If you don't believe me, trust Emeril. He said he occasionally does ribs this way, too. I used boneless beef short ribs. You don't have to be fancy with the barbeque sauce. I just plopped some on the plastic wrap, put the ribs on top of it, dumped more on top of the ribs and folded the plastic wrap over. Sealed inside the foil, on a low rack in the oven, it didn't take long for the house to start smelling wonderful. Next time I'm putting the meat on a roll. No knives needed to cut this meat, a fork worked quite nicely. Yum!!! Definitely will make this again!

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