Can you bake ribs from frozen?
Yes, you can absolutely bake ribs directly from frozen. There’s no need to thaw them first. Baking frozen ribs is an easy, convenient way to enjoy delicious ribs on a busy weeknight. The key is to allow some extra time in the oven for the ribs to cook through completely.
How long does it take to bake frozen ribs?
Frozen ribs will need more time in the oven compared to thawed ribs. Plan for about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes of bake time for a full rack of frozen baby back or spare ribs. For country-style ribs, allow around 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes.
The exact time will vary depending on the thickness and bone content of the particular ribs. Check for doneness by poking the ribs with a fork – they should be very tender and pull apart easily when fully cooked.
What temperature do you bake frozen ribs at?
Bake frozen ribs at a lower temperature than you would use for thawed ribs. This gives the interior time to thaw out and cook through without over-browning the exterior.
For baby back ribs and spare ribs, bake at 300°F. For thicker, meatier country-style ribs, bake at 275°F.
You can finish off the ribs at a higher temperature like 350°F during the last 10-15 minutes if you want them a little crispy and charred on the outside.
How to prepare frozen ribs for baking
Preparing frozen ribs for the oven is simple:
1. Remove packaging and place ribs meat-side up on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet.
2. Generously season both sides with your favorite rib rub or barbecue seasoning.
3. Tent the baking sheet tightly with foil to lock in moisture.
4. Bake at 300°F for 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes until fall-off-the-bone tender.
5. Remove foil, brush with barbecue sauce and broil 3-5 minutes if desired to caramelize sauce.
Tips for the best baked frozen ribs
– For extra moisture, brush the ribs with oil or melted butter before seasoning.
– Add 1/2 cup water, beer, juice, or other liquid to the baking sheet before covering with foil.
– Rotate the pan and baste the ribs with pan juices halfway through baking.
– Let the ribs rest 5-10 minutes before slicing for juicier meat.
– To crisp up the outsides, unwrap and brush with sauce during the last 15 minutes. Broil 2-3 minutes until browned.
– For a barbecue flavor, smoke the ribs on a grill for 1-2 hours before finishing in the oven.
How to make tender baked frozen ribs
Achieving fall-off-the-bone tender ribs from frozen takes a little finesse. Here are some tips:
– Use the lower and slower 275°F oven temperature for meatier ribs to break down connective tissue.
– Allow at least 1 hour 15 minutes bake time for ribs to cook through fully.
– Keep ribs wrapped in foil so they braise in their own juices rather than drying out.
– When tested, ribs should twist and pull cleanly off the bone with no resistance.
– Avoid overcooking – ribs can go from tender to dried out quickly.
– Brush with sauce or marinade for extra moisture and flavor.
– Let ribs rest 5-10 minutes before cutting for juices to redistribute.
Best oven baked rib recipes
These delicious oven-baked rib recipes are perfect for cooking up frozen ribs:
BBQ Baked Ribs
– Brush with zesty barbecue sauce and bake until caramelized and charred at the edges.
Brown Sugar & Chili Baked Ribs
– Coated in a sweet and spicy rub with brown sugar, chili powder, paprika and cayenne.
Garlic Parmesan Baked Ribs
– Infused with savory garlic, parmesan, and herbs for rich flavor.
Honey Sriracha Baked Ribs
– Glazed with a balance of sweet honey and savory-spicy sriracha.
Beer & Lime Baked Ribs
– Basted in a bright beer, lime juice, garlic and cilantro marinade.
| Recipe | Prep Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| BBQ Baked Ribs | 10 mins | 1 hour 30 mins |
| Brown Sugar & Chili Baked Ribs | 10 mins | 1 hour 30 mins |
| Garlic Parmesan Baked Ribs | 10 mins | 1 hour 30 mins |
| Honey Sriracha Baked Ribs | 10 mins | 1 hour 30 mins |
| Beer & Lime Baked Ribs | 15 mins | 1 hour 30 mins |
Conclusion
Baking ribs straight from the freezer makes for a super convenient and tasty dinner any night of the week. Allow some extra oven time for frozen ribs to become fork-tender in a lower 300°F oven. Keep them wrapped in foil and baste with sauce or rub for moisture and flavor. Brush with your favorite barbecue sauce at the end to caramelize. In about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, you’ll have juicy, melt-in-your-mouth oven-baked ribs ready to enjoy!