Pre-cooked ribs are a time-saving, effortless way of enjoying delicious barbecue at home. Whether store-bought or cooked ahead of time, pre-cooked ribs are an excellent choice for busy families or last-minute get-togethers. And the best part is you don’t need to fire up the grill outdoors – you can easily cook them in your oven!
In this article, we’ll show you how to cook pre-cooked ribs in the oven using three different methods. Additionally, we’ll cover seasoning tips, sauces and syrups that enhance flavor, serving suggestions and much more.
Preparing the Ribs
Before we move on to cooking techniques, it’s essential to know how to handle pre-cooked ribs correctly. Carefully thawing them before cooking is crucial as frozen meat takes longer to cook and may end up overcooked on the outside while remaining undercooked inside.
When unpacking your pre-cooked ribs, it’s essential to remove all packaging elements such as plastic wrap or cryovac. Once this is done, proceed with thawing guide lines recommended by manufacturers.
Preparing the Oven and Rack
Choosing an appropriate baking rack for your pre-cooked ribs is essential – ideally, one that catches drips without damming up too much sauce from the meat. A baking tray could also help add moisture during cooking which prevents drying out of your delicacy. Properly heating your oven limits overcooking so make sure you preheat it at 250°F.
Cooking Techniques
There are several ways you can prepare pre-cooked ribs in the oven; below are our top three methods:
Method one: Foil Packets
This method involves wrapping individual rib portions in foil packets before placing them in the oven.
- Arrange individual rib portions on a thick sheet of aluminum foil big enough to wrap each piece entirely.
- Brush lightly with any oil of your choice like olive oil.
- Seal them tightly, making sure no moisture escapes.
- Preheat your oven to 225°F and bake the foil-wrapped ribs for about 30 minutes or until heated through.
- Advantages include:
- Retention of the meat’s juices
- Reduces mess as it is all cooked in one packet.
- Easy clean-up after cooking
Method two: Grilling then Baking
Grilling offers a delicious smoky flavor that you can’t get from baking, making it crucial to the pre-cooked rib’s taste profile.
To try this method, do the following: -Dry off each rib with a paper towel before grilling.
- Arrange the pre-cooked ribs on hot grates and grill for a few minutes per side over high heat.
- After grilling, transfer the ribs onto a baking rack, place the tray in an oven preheated to anywhere between 250°F and 300°F and bake for approximately 10 minutes. The few benefits this method offers are:
- Grilling adds delicious flavor to your pre-cooked ribs
- Baking ensures even heating — resulting in perfectly cooked meat.
Method three: Seasoning then Baking at High Temperature
Using a high-broiling temperature helps your pre-cooked ribs become crispy on the outside while tender and juicy on the inside.
Begin by applying dry seasonings such as salt, black pepper, cumin powder or garlic powder (or any spice blend) evenly over both sides of the rib portions before painting them with butter or any preferred oil if you wish. Place them on a wire rack lined with foil (to ease cleaning) if need be; placing them directly on top of greased baking trays also works okay.
Once they’re seasoned to preference, proceed to bake part of your ovenware preheated between 425-450°F either using the broil or ba settings for between 5 -10 minutes. It’s important to monitor your meat closely as overcooked ribs would ruin the dish.
Sauces and Syrups
Pre-cooked ribs are delicious on their own, but adding sauces and syrups takes them up a notch by enhancing their flavor profile. Here are three favorite DIY sauce recipes that can enhance your pre-cooked rib’s taste:
- BBQ Sauce: Mix together ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder and cumin powder in a saucepan and simmer for ten minutes.
- Honey Glaze: Combine honey with soy sauce, minced garlic and ginger in a mixing bowl before whisking them together.
- Spicy Rub: Combine paprika (smoky or sweet), chili flakes or cayenne pepper (optional), granulated garlic powder/onion powder seasoning blend.
Serving Suggestions
When it comes to serving pre-cooked ribs, simplicity goes a long way! Some great suggestions include:
- Smaller portions served with coleslaw as an appetiser
- Full rack portions served alongside baked beans and sweet potato fries
- Chopped-up rib pieces served atop salads with greens like mixed baby greens and carrots
Conclusion
We hope this article helps you achieve cooking perfection when it comes to pre-cooked ribs. Whether grilling then baking or baking at high temperatures after seasoning, some crucial elements such as thawing your meat properly and leaving room for experimentation are essential for successful at-home cooking. This method ensures everyone gets exactly what they’re looking for in terms of taste, texture, seasoning – you name it! And as always – happy cooking!
Q&A
Q.1 Can I cook pre-cooked ribs in the oven?
A.1 Yes, you can definitely cook pre-cooked ribs in the oven. In fact, this is one of the easiest ways to heat up your already cooked ribs.
Q.2 How long should I cook pre-cooked ribs in the oven for?
A.2 The cooking time for pre-cooked ribs in the oven can vary depending on how many ribs you are heating up and how hot your oven is. A general rule of thumb is to bake them at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20-30 minutes, or until they are heated through.
Q.3 Do I need to add any seasoning or sauce when cooking pre-cooked ribs in the oven?
A.3 This all depends on your personal preference! If you like your ribs saucy, feel free to brush them with your favorite BBQ sauce before baking. Alternatively, if you prefer a dry rub seasoning on your meat, you can also sprinkle it on top before placing them in the oven.
Q.4 Can I still get crispy crust when cooking pre-cooked ribs in the oven?
A.4 It may be challenging to get that classic crispy crust on pre-cooked ribs when using an oven because there’s no direct heat source like a grill or smoker that can caramelize sugars and create that charred texture. However, if you want a little bit of crunch on your rib edges, try broiling them for a few minutes towards the end of baking time – just make sure to watch them carefully so they don’t burn!
