Seasoned with nothing more than salt and pepper, these tender oven-roasted spare ribs are no less than perfect.
4 pounds spare ribs, cut in serving pieces
salt and pepper, to taste
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Season the ribs with the salt and pepper. Place the ribs on a rack in a roasting pan. Cook for 30 minutes then turn the ribs over and cook for 30 more minutes or until the ribs are tender.
Season the ribs generously.
Let the ribs sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before cooking for more even cooking.
Turn the ribs halfway through the cooking time so they cook and brown evenly.
For extra flavor, marinate the ribs in your favorite marinade for several hours before cooking.
Let the ribs rest for a few minutes after taking them out of the oven before serving.
For a crispy exterior, broil the ribs for a few minutes at the end of cooking.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure the ribs have reached a safe internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
Try different types of ribs, like baby back or St. Louis style, for variation. Just adjust the cooking time as needed.
Yes, you can add additional seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, or your favorite dry rub.
Using a rack allows the heat to circulate around the ribs, but you can roast them directly in the pan if you don't have a rack.
The ribs are tender when the meat easily pulls away from the bone. You can also use a fork to test for doneness.
Yes, cooking at a lower temperature like 325 degrees F for a longer period (about 1.5 to 2 hours) can result in even more tender ribs.
It's not necessary, but you can cover them with foil for part of the cooking time if you want to retain more moisture.
Yes, you can baste with a sauce like barbecue sauce during the last 20-30 minutes of cooking.
Cut between the bones to separate the ribs into individual pieces.
Yes, they can be cooked in advance and reheated, though they're best when fresh.
You can finish them on the grill for a few minutes for a smoky flavor but this recipe is really about the simple oven roasting method (we have other rib recipes that are grilled).
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reviews & comments
August 27, 2022
I made these this morning with baby back ribs - I was worried that they would dry out, but they were pretty thick. WONDERFUL!!!!! And so nice tasting the porky flavor of the ribs instead of just BBQ sauce Thank you for this great recipe!!
August 26, 2022
Back in the day, I was helping a workmate move. It was very hot and a lot of cursing. Afterward, there was lots of beer and ribs. The ribs were cooked on a hibachi precisely like this recipe with just pepper and salt. Beer and those ribs went done well.
July 30, 2013
This was actually my first time cooking spare ribs in the oven and it turned out really well. WAs glad to find a simple recipe to follow for my first attempt. Will try some of the others soon.
November 6, 2012
At the end when they were done I added a little bit of honey bbq to add some tast to it then placed it back in the oven another few mintues. It was delicious.