How to Cook Ribs (Best Ribs Recipes)

Learn how to cook ribs in every style and method. This guide is filled with the best recipes for grilled ribs, oven-baked ribs, short ribs, crock pot ribs, and more. Plus all the tips and info you need to make the best ribs!

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How to Cook Ribs

Learn how to cook ribs that are absolutely perfect: tender, flavorful, and stress-free!

Ribs are one of my favorite things to eat, but they aren’t always the easiest thing to cook. It’s a slow-cooking food, so it definitely requires prep and lots of time. It’s well worth the effort though! When you bite into the tender, flavorful meat, all the work will be a distant memory.

They are a true BBQ classic, so everyone should learn how to make ribs for summer BBQs and parties. They also make a delicious dinner anytime of year. When you set a rack of ribs on the table for your family, they’ll wonder what they did to deserve such a special meal…and then they’ll fight over who gets the last rib, so make plenty!

So if you’re wondering how to cook ribs perfectly, I’m here to show you how to do that!

What You’ll Need

Here are some items you might need to cook ribs (depending on how you cook them):

What temperature should ribs be cooked to?

The internal temperature of ribs should reach at least 145° F to be considered safe for eating. However, they are often cooked to a higher temperature to help break down collagen in the meat and create more tender meat.

Click here to get a printable internal temperature chart for your kitchen!

How can I add flavor to ribs?

There are lots of ways to add more flavor to your ribs before, during, and after cooking. Use a good dry rub, season them well, try marinating them, and don’t forget alllll the BBQ sauce.

Pork ribs are quite mild on their own, so don’t forget to flavor! Use our favorite dry rub and then slather them in this amazing BBQ Sauce.

How long do you cook ribs for?

The cooking time for ribs depends on which style or cooking method you’re using. Here’s a quick guide to cooking times, and specifics can be found in each of the recipes below.

How Long to Cook Ribs in the Oven at 300°F: 1 1/2-2 hours (Baby Back Ribs) or 2 1/2-3 hours (Spare Ribs)
How Long to Cook Ribs on the Grill (St. Louis style Ribs): 5-6 Hours
How Long to Cook Short Ribs in the Oven: 2 1/2 hours
How Long to Cook Ribs in a Crock Pot: 5-6 hours on low setting

Different Types of Ribs

Before we get to all the best ribs recipes (find them below), let’s talk about the different types of ribs and what they all mean.

Baby Back Ribs

Baby back ribs are the smallest part of the back ribs of a pig (“baby” refers to how small they are compared to other ribs). They are very tender and have less fat than other rib cuts, and are usually the highest priced ribs.

Spare Ribs

Spare ribs are cut from the belly of the pig, and usually have a lot of bone compared to meat. They are fatty and tender, and larger than ribs from the back.

St. Louis Style Ribs

St. Louis style ribs are spare ribs, but parts of the bone and meat have been removed, creating a more rectangular shape.

The term often refers to the style and cooking method popularized in the St. Louis area as well, where the ribs are grilled instead of smoked or slow-cooked like typical barbecue ribs.

Short Ribs

Short ribs are beef instead of pork, but come from the same area as spare ribs. Short ribs are the smallest part of beef spare ribs.

Country Style Ribs

Country style ribs are cut close to the pork shoulder, so they don’t actually contain rib bones. They are very meaty cuts.

Beef Ribs vs. Pork Ribs

When you think of ribs, more than likely you’re imagining BBQ pork ribs, whether it’s baby back or spare ribs. When it comes to beef ribs, you’ll get either short ribs or beef back ribs.

Here are some of the main differences to consider between beef ribs and pork ribs:

Beef ribs are usually larger, because they come from a larger animal (cows)
Beef also has more fat, so they can be even more tender.
Beef ribs have a stronger natural flavor, whereas pork ribs are easier to season to create your preferred flavor.
Overall, pork ribs are easier to cook. Beef ribs can become quite tough if not cooked properly.

Spare Ribs vs. Baby Back Ribs

Baby back ribs are much smaller than spare ribs, and tend to have more meat in relation to size. Baby back ribs are also more curved, while spare ribs are quite flat.

How to Cook Ribs

We’ve got the best rib recipes for every style of ribs! Whether you want to grill, cook them in the oven, or use a crock pot, we can show you how to cook ribs to perfection.

Best Ribs Recipes

Try out these recipes to find out how to cook ribs in every style. Find grilled ribs, oven baked ribs, and slow cooker ribs. Plus a few other recipes, like our favorite dry rub.

OVEN BAKED RIBS are just sooo tasty. I like cooking ribs in the oven because it's super easy and they turn out so moist. They're also great for rainy days when you don't have access to your grill. These dry rubbed ribs are one of our favorite easy dinners for summer. So kick your BBQ skills up a notch with these Easy Oven Baked Ribs, whether you're making spare ribs or baby back ribs! Either way, you're left with SO MUCH FLAVOR!

Dinner Recipes

Crockpot Hawaiian Ribs

Best Side Dishes for Ribs

When you serve ribs for dinner, you better not forget the sides! Any kind of BBQ calls for indulgent sides to chow down on along with the meat. These are some of our favorite side dishes for ribs.

Check our Best BBQ Side Dishes for more ideas!

Now that you know how to cook ribs exactly how you like them, you can make the best ribs recipe any time. Oven roasted or grilled, baby back or spare ribs, whichever you prefer, you’ll be ready to cook and dig in!