How Long To Bake Ribs At 325? | The Ultimate Guide

Cooking ribs can be intimidating, especially if you’ve never done it before. But don’t worry. Cooking them in the oven is actually quite simple – the hard part is knowing how long to bake ribs at 325 so they turn out perfectly juicy and tender. In this blog post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the various types of ribs, as well as step-by-step instructions for baking your own delicious batch of ribs at home. So get ready to take your rib game up a notch and create a mouthwatering meal that will have all your friends asking ‘how did you do that.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Dry Rub

The dry rub adds tons of flavor and helps form a nice crust. Here’s what you’ll need to mix up:

• 1 tablespoon paprika – Adds a sweet, smoky taste
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar – Helps caramelization
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder – For aromatic flavor
• 1 teaspoon onion powder – Likewise provides aromatics
• 1/2 teaspoon salt – Enhances overall flavors
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper – Bit of heat and bite
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder – Boosts the spice factor (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper – Extra kick if you like heat (optional)

You can easily double or triple the rub. Store extra in an airtight container.

Barbecue Sauce

What ribs are complete without a finger-licking barbecue sauce? The sauce adds moisture, glaze, and lots of flavor. A sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy blend works well. 

If you’re short on time, a good store-bought sauce will also do the trick. Look for a tomato-based sauce with a nice blend of sweet and spice.

Alternative Ingredients

Don’t have one of the ingredients for the rub on hand or want to change up the flavors? Consider these easy substitutions:

• Paprika – Smoked paprika, ancho chili powder, chipotle powder
• Brown sugar – White sugar, maple syrup, honey
• Garlic powder – Fresh minced garlic
• Onion powder – Fresh minced onion
• Salt – Herbs like thyme, rosemary, oregano
• Pepper – Red pepper flakes, black peppercorns

For the sauce, you can substitute honey or molasses for some of the sugar. Dial up the heat with hot sauce or red pepper flakes. Add zest with fresh squeezed citrus juice.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Get ready for the easiest ribs you’ve ever made. Just 30 minutes of prep and 2 hours of baking delivers fall-off-the-bone results.

Prep the Ribs (30 minutes)

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup.

Remove the membrane from the backside of the ribs (optional). This thin layer can make ribs tougher. 

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Apply the dry rub generously on both sides, really massaging it in. Do this under or over the membrane if not removed.

Wrap the ribs tightly in a double layer of foil to form a sealed packet. Make sure no steam can escape.

Bake Low and Slow (2 hours)

Place the foil packet directly on the baking sheet. No need for a roasting rack.

Bake for 2 hours, no peeking. This low gentle heat tenderizes the ribs to perfection.

For even doneness, flip the ribs halfway through baking. But keeping them bone-side down the entire time works too.

Finish with Sauce and Broil (10 minutes)

After 2 hours, carefully remove the hot foil packet and let the ribs rest for 5-10 minutes.

Open the foil packet and thickly brush the ribs with barbecue sauce on both sides.

Broil the sauced ribs for 5 minutes per side until the sauce caramelizes. Watch closely to avoid burning.

For extra assurance the ribs are fully cooked, use an instant read thermometer to check the internal temperature reaches 195°F-205°F.

Slice, Serve and Enjoy

Separate the ribs by slicing along the bones into individual ribs.

See more : How Long Does It Take To Smoke Ribs At 275? | Recipes

Drizzle with any juices left in the foil packet for extra flavor.

Serve hot with your favorite barbecue sides like coleslaw, beans, cornbread, or mac and cheese to complement the sauce.

Tips for Ribs Success

Here are some top tips for baking perfect ribs every time:

• Mix the dry rub ingredients together beforehand for easy, clean application on the ribs.
• Follow the natural curve of the ribs when slicing for uniform pieces that cook evenly.
• Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and reheat gently in the oven or microwave to prevent drying out.
• If ribs seem dry or underdone, try cooking longer, double wrapping in foil, or brushing on additional sauce at the end.
• Use a meat thermometer to verify safe internal cooking temperatures.

More Delicious Options

Boneless Country-Style Ribs – Follow method as described using a foil pan instead of packet.

Meaty Spare Ribs – May need 2.5-3 hours of baking time.

Beef Short Ribs – Likewise increase bake time to 2.5-3 hours.

Smoked or Grilled Ribs – Apply rub and sauce, finish on grill for flavor.

Nutritional Information

Based on 3 bone-in baby back ribs:

• Calories: 330
• Total Fat: 23g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Sodium: 780mg
• Carbohydrates: 7g
• Protein: 24g

Food Safety Reminders

Always follow safe food handling practices when cooking ribs:

• Wash hands and surfaces before and after prep
• Don’t cross-contaminate raw meat juices with other foods
• Cook to recommended internal temperatures
• Refrigerate all leftovers within 2 hours

Conclusion

Forget low and slow smoking or grilling ribs all day. This easy baking method delivers the same juicy, tender results in under 3 hours. Minimal hands-on time lets the oven do all the work. Just a simple rub and sauce transforms basic ribs into your new favorite barbecue meal. Now get preheating and enjoy your new go-to baked ribs.