Mastering The Art Of Bbq Ribs: 400 Degrees, Timing, And Tenderness

how long to cook ribs on bbq at 400

Cooking ribs on the barbecue is a great way to get that delicious smoky flavour. But how long do they need to cook for? Well, that depends on the heat of your grill and the type of ribs you're cooking.

For baby back ribs, you'll want to cook them for about 1 hour at 400°F if they're wrapped in foil. If you're cooking spare ribs, they'll need a little longer – try cooking them for 1 hour and 20 minutes at 400°F, again wrapped in foil.

If you're cooking your ribs without foil, you'll need to adjust the cooking time. Baby back ribs will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes at 400°F, while spare ribs will take closer to 2 hours.

Of course, the most important thing is to make sure your ribs are cooked through. You can use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of your ribs reaches 180°F to 190°F.

Characteristics Values
Type of ribs Baby back ribs or spare ribs
Oven temperature 400°F
Roast time for baby back ribs 50 minutes
Roast time for spare ribs 80 minutes
Additional roast time 10-15 minutes
Total time 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes

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Baby back ribs vs spare ribs

Baby back ribs and spare ribs differ in terms of their origin, appearance, and cooking requirements.

Baby back ribs are cut from the top of the rib cage, while spare ribs come from the bottom of the rib cage. Baby back ribs have a curved bone, whereas spare ribs are straighter. Baby back ribs are generally meatier and leaner than spare ribs, which have more intramuscular fat. Spare ribs are larger and have more defined bones, with a copious amount of fat. Spare ribs are often trimmed to create a rectangular shape, known as St. Louis-style ribs, which are easier to brown when cooking.

Baby back ribs get their name because they are shorter than spare ribs. They are also more tender, and due to their smaller size, they cook faster. However, baby back ribs tend to be more expensive.

When it comes to cooking ribs on a BBQ at 400°F, the cooking time will vary depending on the type of ribs. For baby back ribs, you can expect a cooking time of around an hour. Spare ribs, being larger, will require a longer cooking time.

Cooking Baby Back Ribs on a BBQ at 400°F:

To cook baby back ribs on a BBQ at 400°F, start by trimming the ribs and removing the membrane from the back of each rack. Season the ribs with a spice rub of your choice. Place the ribs on the top rack of the grill, away from the coals if using charcoal briquettes. Reduce the heat to low and close the lid. Cook the ribs undisturbed for about an hour, or until the meat pulls away easily from the bone. Brush the ribs with barbecue sauce and grill for an additional 5 minutes.

Cooking Spare Ribs on a BBQ at 400°F:

For spare ribs, the cooking process will be similar, but the cooking time will be longer due to their larger size. Trim the ribs and remove the membrane. Season the ribs with a spice rub. Place the ribs on the grill, ensuring they are not directly over the heat source. Cook the ribs at a low temperature for about 2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 180°F to 190°F. Brush the ribs with barbecue sauce and continue cooking for about 10 to 20 minutes, or until the sauce is caramelized.

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How long to cook ribs wrapped in foil

Cooking ribs wrapped in foil is a great way to keep them moist and tender. The cooking time will depend on the type of ribs you are preparing and the temperature of your grill or oven.

Cooking Ribs Wrapped in Foil on the Grill

If you are cooking on the grill, it is best to use a charcoal grill to maintain a temperature of 350°F–400°F. You will want to cook the ribs for about 1 hour, turning them twice to ensure even cooking. After this, you can unwrap the ribs and finish them directly on the grill for an additional 10–12 minutes.

Cooking Ribs Wrapped in Foil in the Oven

If you are cooking your ribs in the oven, the cooking time will depend on the type of ribs you are preparing. For baby back ribs, you can cook them at 375°F for upwards of 1.5 hours. For larger, fattier ribs, you can cook them at 400°F for 1.5–2 hours, or lower the temperature to 300°F and cook for up to 3 hours.

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How to tell when ribs are done

Cooking ribs to perfection can be a tricky business. You don't want to end up with chewy, undercooked ribs, or indeed, overcooked ribs that fall off the bone. So, how can you tell when ribs are done?

Firstly, it's important to note that cooking ribs is not an exact science. There is no single cooking duration that suits all racks and grills. The cooking time will depend on factors such as the thickness of the rack, the cooking temperature, and even external factors such as humidity and airflow. As a rough guide, ribs usually take around four to seven hours to cook.

There are several methods you can use to check if your ribs are done. One popular method is to look for the bones to start peeking out. If you see about a quarter of an inch of the bones starting to show, this is a good indication that your ribs are almost ready. However, this method is not foolproof as it doesn't always happen.

Another popular method is the bend test. Using tongs or gloves, pick up the slab of ribs and give it a slight bend towards a U shape. If the slab is ready, it will crack easily between the bones and almost break in two. If there is no separation or cracking, the ribs need more time.

The toothpick test is another way to check if your ribs are done. Simply insert a toothpick into the meaty sections of the rack. If it slides in without resistance, the ribs are done.

You can also try the twist test. Take hold of an exposed bone tip from the centre of the slab and gently twist it. If the ribs are ready, the bone should start to come away from the meat.

Finally, you can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the ribs. The USDA recommends cooking pork ribs to an internal temperature of 145°F for safety reasons. However, at this temperature, the meat will be rubbery and tough. For tender, succulent ribs, you should aim for an internal temperature of 195°F to 203°F. At this temperature, the fat and collagen will have broken down, resulting in juicy, flavourful meat.

Remember, with a little practice, you'll be able to master the art of cooking ribs to perfection!

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How to get crispy ribs

Preparation

Firstly, you'll want to remove the membrane from the underside of the ribs. This will make your ribs more tender and give them more flavour. To do this, use a knife to gently lift the corner of the membrane from the meat, then use your fingers or a paper towel to pull the rest of the membrane away.

Next, rub your ribs with a spice blend. You can make your own blend or use a store-bought BBQ spice rub. For a dry rub, mix your chosen spices with a little olive oil and rub this all over the ribs. For a wet rub, add a little water or vinegar to your spices to make a paste and coat the ribs with this.

Cooking the Ribs

Preheat your BBQ to around 350°F to 400°F. Place the ribs on the grill, bone-side down, and cook for around 1 hour. You can also add some wood chips to your BBQ for extra flavour.

After an hour, remove the ribs from the heat and let them rest for 10 minutes. Unwrap the ribs and return them to the grill, basting them with BBQ sauce. Cook for a further 10-12 minutes, turning the ribs a few times to prevent burning.

Your ribs are now ready to serve! For extra crispy ribs, you can finish them off with a quick sear on a hot cast-iron skillet or grill pan for just a minute or two on each side.

Tips

  • If you want to check that your ribs are cooked, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. For tender ribs, you're aiming for an internal temperature of 190°F to 203°F.
  • If you're cooking in the oven, you can cook your ribs low and slow at 275°F for 2 ½ to 3 ½ hours. Then, increase the temperature to 460°F and cook for a further 10 minutes to get crispy, caramelised edges.
  • If you want to add a BBQ sauce to your ribs, do this towards the end of the cooking time to prevent the sauce from burning.
  • For extra crispy ribs, drizzle them with olive oil before cooking.
  • If you're cooking multiple racks of ribs, make sure to space them out properly so that heat can circulate evenly.

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How to tenderize ribs

There are several methods you can use to tenderize ribs, and the one you choose will depend on your personal preference and how much time you have. Here are some of the most popular ways to tenderize ribs:

Use a rub

Create a dry rub with spices, seasonings, salt, and pepper, and pat the mixture onto the surface of the ribs. You can also add some sugar to form a caramelized outer layer and seal in moisture. For a simple dry rub, use a mixture of paprika, chile powder, cumin, coriander, cayenne, salt, pepper, and brown sugar. Apply the rub shortly before cooking, as applying it too far in advance will cure the ribs and cause them to lose moisture.

Steam the ribs

After applying a dry rub, transfer the ribs to an oven or steamer and cook at a low temperature until tender. Steaming helps to pack in flavor and break down tough fibers. To steam ribs in an oven, preheat the oven to 212°F (100°C). Place the coated ribs in a roasting pan or tray, add a bit of water, cover with foil, and steam for about two hours.

Boil the ribs

Boiling ribs can help to tenderize the meat and render the fat. Bring a pot of water to a boil, add the ribs, and turn the heat down to low. Allow the ribs to simmer for about 45 minutes until they are tender but not falling off the bone. Remove the ribs from the boiling water and set them aside before finishing them on the grill or in the oven.

Brining

Brining involves treating the meat with a generous amount of salt, which dissolves muscle fibers, retains moisture, and prevents the pork from drying out during grilling. You can use a wet brine or a dry brine. For a wet brine, combine 5-8% salt with 92-95% water, add any desired flavorings, and let the ribs sit in the brine for two to six hours. For a dry brine, coat the ribs with salt and any other desired seasonings, and let them sit in the refrigerator for eight hours or overnight.

Cook low and slow

Pork ribs generally benefit from a lengthy cook time over low heat. Whether you're using an oven or a grill, avoid high temperatures that can lead to burnt and tough meat. For tender ribs, cook them slowly and give them time to soak up the smoke and flavors.

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Frequently asked questions

Baby back ribs should be cooked for 50 minutes at 400°F, while spareribs should be cooked for 80 minutes.

Depending on the heat of your grill, ribs should take between 1 hour 30 minutes and 2 hours in total.

Grill the ribs bone-side down. This helps to protect the meat from the heat.

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