How to Cook Ribs in the Oven Fast

Want to know how to cook ribs in the oven fast? This is the shortcut version.

Now, let’s be honest. If you want proper fall-off-the-bone ribs, low and slow is still the best way to do it. Ribs need time for the meat to soften properly, which is why our oven baked baby back ribs recipe uses a slower two-stage method.

But sometimes you just want ribs on the table quicker. Maybe it’s a midweek tea, maybe you forgot to start them earlier, or maybe everyone is already asking when dinner is ready.

This fast oven ribs method uses a hotter oven, foil, a little liquid, and a final glaze to get tasty, tender ribs without waiting hours and hours.

Can You Cook Ribs in the Oven Fast?

Yes, you can cook ribs in the oven fast, but there is a trade-off.

Fast oven ribs can be tasty, juicy and full of flavour, but they may not be quite as soft as ribs cooked low and slow for several hours.

The trick is to keep them covered for most of the cooking time. This traps steam and moisture around the ribs, helping them cook more quickly without drying out.

Quick Answer: How to Cook Ribs in the Oven Fast

To cook ribs in the oven fast, season the ribs, place them in a roasting tray with a splash of liquid, cover tightly with foil, and cook at 200°C, 180°C fan, Gas Mark 6 for around 60 to 75 minutes. Then uncover, coat with sauce, and return to the oven for another 10 to 15 minutes until sticky and caramelised.

Ingredients

• One rack of baby back pork ribs
• Salt and black pepper
• Your favourite pork seasoning or dry rub
• A splash of water, apple juice or orange juice
• BBQ sauce, marinade or glaze of your choice

Fast Oven Ribs Method

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C, 180°C fan, Gas Mark 6.
2. If needed, remove the membrane from the underside of the ribs.
3. Season the ribs with salt, pepper and your favourite pork seasoning or dry rub.
4. Place the ribs in a roasting tray, meat side up.
5. Add a splash of water, apple juice or orange juice to the bottom of the tray.
6. Cover the tray tightly with foil.
7. Cook for 60 to 75 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of the ribs.
8. Remove the tray from the oven and carefully take off the foil.
9. Brush the ribs generously with BBQ sauce, marinade or glaze.
10. Return the ribs to the oven, uncovered, for another 10 to 15 minutes.
11. Once the sauce is bubbling and starting to caramelise, remove the ribs from the oven.
12. Rest for a few minutes, then slice and serve.

How Long Do Ribs Take in the Oven Fast?

Fast oven ribs usually take around 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes in total.

The exact time depends on the ribs. A small rack of baby back ribs will cook faster than a larger, thicker rack.

What Temperature Should You Cook Ribs at for a Fast Method?

For quick oven ribs, cook them at 200°C, 180°C fan, Gas Mark 6.

This is hotter than a traditional low and slow rib method, but covering the ribs with foil helps stop them drying out.

If you cook ribs fast without foil, they are much more likely to become dry and tough.

Should You Cover Ribs in the Oven?

Yes, for this fast method you should cover the ribs with foil for most of the cooking time.

The foil traps moisture and helps the ribs cook more quickly. It also stops the outside from drying out before the inside has had chance to soften.

Take the foil off at the end, add your sauce, then return the ribs to the oven uncovered so the glaze can thicken and caramelise.

Do You Need to Boil Ribs Before Baking?

No, you do not need to boil ribs before baking them.

Boiling can make ribs softer, but it can also pull flavour out of the meat and into the water. Cooking them covered in the oven with a little liquid gives you a similar tenderising effect without boiling away flavour.

Do You Need to Remove the Rib Membrane?

If the membrane is still attached to the underside of the ribs, it is best to remove it.

The membrane is the thin, tough layer on the concave side of the ribs. It can make ribs a bit chewy if left on.

To remove it, slide a spoon under one end, lift it, then grip it with kitchen paper and peel it away.

Best Sauce for Fast Oven Ribs

BBQ sauce is the obvious choice, but you can use any sauce, glaze or marinade you like.

Good options include:

• classic BBQ sauce
• honey BBQ sauce
• smoky BBQ glaze
• Chinese-style glaze
• maple glaze
• chilli and honey
• apple or bourbon-style sauce

Add the sauce at the end rather than at the start. Most sauces contain sugar, and sugar can burn if cooked too hot for too long.

Can You Make Fast Oven Ribs Tender?

Yes, but they will usually be more tender if you give them a little extra time.

Fast ribs can be juicy and enjoyable, especially if they are covered during cooking. But if you want that proper soft, pull-apart texture, a low and slow method is still better.

If your ribs feel tough after 75 minutes, cover them again and cook for another 15 to 20 minutes before glazing.

Fast Oven Ribs vs Low and Slow Ribs

The fast method is best when you are short on time. The low and slow method is best when tenderness matters most.

If you have time, use our full oven baked baby back ribs method. If not, this faster version will still get you a good plate of ribs.

What to Serve with Fast Oven Ribs

Fast oven ribs are great with chips, wedges, coleslaw, corn on the cob, beans, salad, mac and cheese, garlic bread or onion rings.

They also work well as part of a picky tea with wings, sausages, burgers and other BBQ-style bits.

Browse our BBQ essentials collection for more easy meal ideas.

Tips for Cooking Ribs in the Oven Fast

• Use baby back ribs if you want a quicker cook.
• Remove the membrane if it is still attached.
• Season well before cooking.
• Add a splash of liquid to the tray.
• Cover tightly with foil for the first stage.
• Do not add sugary sauce too early.
• Glaze uncovered at the end.
• If the ribs are still tough, cook them for longer.

Final Thoughts

If you want to know how to cook ribs in the oven fast, the answer is simple: use a hotter oven, keep the ribs covered for most of the cook, then finish uncovered with sauce.

This method is quicker than low and slow ribs and still gives you tasty, juicy ribs with a sticky glaze.

But if you have the time, the slower method will always give you the best tenderness. Ribs reward patience. Annoying, but true.

FAQs

How do you cook ribs in the oven fast?

Season the ribs, place them in a tray with a splash of liquid, cover tightly with foil, and cook at 200°C, 180°C fan, Gas Mark 6 for 60 to 75 minutes. Then add sauce and cook uncovered for another 10 to 15 minutes.

What is the fastest way to cook ribs in the oven?

The fastest reliable way is to cook them covered at a higher temperature with a little liquid in the tray, then uncover and glaze at the end.

Can you cook ribs in the oven in one hour?

Small racks of baby back ribs may be close after an hour, but most ribs need at least 60 to 75 minutes covered, plus another 10 to 15 minutes uncovered with sauce.

What temperature cooks ribs faster?

For a faster oven ribs method, use 200°C, 180°C fan, Gas Mark 6. Keep the ribs covered with foil so they do not dry out.

Should ribs be covered in the oven?

Yes, especially when cooking them quickly. Foil helps trap steam and moisture, which keeps the ribs juicier.

Can you cook ribs without boiling them first?

Yes, you do not need to boil ribs before baking. Cooking them covered in the oven with a little liquid helps soften them without boiling away flavour.

Why are my oven ribs tough?

Ribs are usually tough because they have not cooked long enough. Cover them again and give them another 15 to 20 minutes before glazing.