To cover ribs in the oven for baking, you'll want to ensure they are properly sealed to trap moisture and promote even cooking. Here's a breakdown of the best methods:
Using Aluminum Foil for Covering Ribs
The primary method for covering ribs in the oven involves using aluminum foil. Here are a couple of ways to effectively utilize it:
Method 1: Covering the Entire Baking Pan or Sheet
- Description: The most straightforward way is to cover the entire pan or baking sheet tightly with aluminum foil.
- How to:
- Place your ribs on a baking sheet or in a roasting pan.
- Use a large piece of aluminum foil to completely cover the pan.
- Make sure the foil is crimped tightly around the edges of the pan to create a seal. This prevents steam from escaping, which helps the ribs cook more evenly and remain moist.
Method 2: Creating Individual Foil Packets
- Description: Another approach is to wrap each rack of ribs into individual foil packets before placing them on the baking sheet.
- How to:
- Cut large pieces of aluminum foil for each rack of ribs.
- Place a rack of ribs in the center of each foil piece.
- Bring the edges of the foil up and over the ribs, forming a sealed packet. Ensure that you leave a little bit of space inside the packet for steam to circulate.
- Place these individual foil packets onto the baking sheet.
Why Cover Ribs in the Oven?
Covering ribs during the baking process provides several benefits:
- Traps Moisture: The foil creates a moist environment that keeps the ribs from drying out. This is especially important during the extended cooking time required for ribs to become tender.
- Promotes Even Cooking: The trapped steam helps to distribute heat more evenly around the ribs, ensuring that all parts of the meat cook thoroughly.
- Tenderizes the Meat: The moist heat environment helps to break down the tough connective tissue in ribs, resulting in tender, fall-off-the-bone meat.
Baking Time
Once covered, bake the ribs until the meat becomes very tender, usually between 2 ½ to 3 ½ hours. The exact time will depend on the size and thickness of the ribs as well as the oven temperature.
| Covering Method | Description | Baking Time | Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pan Cover | Cover entire pan with foil. | 2.5 - 3.5 hours | Seals in moisture and promotes even cooking |
| Foil Packets | Wrap each rack individually in foil. | 2.5 - 3.5 hours | Creates individual steaming environments |
