How long to cook pork ribs in electric roaster

If you're looking for portability, efficiency or need to save some space, consider cooking ribs in an elastic roaster.

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If you're looking for portability, efficiency or need to save some space, consider cooking ribs in an elastic roaster. This can be particularly convenient if you're preparing a large meal and need to use your oven for other dishes.

Cooking Ribs in Roaster Oven

Step 1: Mix and Rub

Mix the dry ingredients and rub the ribs with the sugar and spice mixture.

Step 2: Layer Ribs and Onions

Spray the inside of the oven liner, insert the rack and layer the ribs with onions between each layer in the bottom of the liner.

Step 3: Add the Liquid

Sprinkle the vinegar and Worcestershire sauce over the ribs and add enough water, cola or beer to just cover the ribs. Put the pan in the refrigerator overnight to marinate.

Step 4: Bring Ribs to Room Temperature

Remove the pan of ribs from the refrigerator. Let them sit until they come to room temperature as you preheat the oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 5: Continue to Cook

Set the liner into the oven and add more liquid if needed to just barely cover the ribs. Cook for 2 to 2 1/2 hours until the meat is tender.

Add Finishing Touches

Step 1: Remove the Meat

Remove the oven liner from the roaster oven. Take the rack of ribs out of the liner and put the ribs on a cutting board or large platter. Remove any loose onions from the cooking liquid with a slotted spoon and put them in a bowl.

Step 2: Wipe the Liner

Turn the liquid out of the oven liner carefully. Wipe the liner dry with a clean cloth and re-spray its inside.

Step 3: Up the Temperature

Turn the heat in the oven up to 400 F and replace the liner and rack.

Step 4: Brush With Sauce

Place the ribs back on the rack with a pair of barbecue tongs, brushing each set with barbecue sauce as you set it in.

Step 5: Roast and Serve

Cover and roast the ribs for another 20 to 30 minutes until the meat browns and begins to pull back along the bones. Remove the ribs and serve with more sauce.

Follow Safety Tips

Check the internal temperature of the meat before serving. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, your ribs need to be at least 145 F to reduce risk of harmful bacteria.

Store fresh meat in the refrigerator at 40 F or lower and cook within three to five days, as advised by the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Ribs can also be frozen for up to one year at 0 F.

Save leftover ribs and eat them within three to four days. Discard any leftovers that have been at room temperature for more than two hours to reduce risk of foodborne illness, according to Mayo Clinic.

• Nonmetallic bowls

• 2 cups brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon ground pepper

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• 1 tablespoon garlic powder

• Cooking spray

• 1/2 cup cider vinegar

• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

• 2 to 3 sweet onions, peeled and sliced

• Water, cola or beer

• 3 to 4 racks of baby back ribs cut in half or 5 to 6 pounds of country ribs

• 16-quart roaster oven

• Slotted spoon

• Large cutting board or platter

• Clean dishcloth or paper towels

• Barbecue tongs

• Basting brush

• Barbecue sauce

Tip

Cut baby back rib racks into three or four sections for easier handling. Cooking liquid can be boiled and reduced to make barbecue sauce for the finish or use your own favorite sauce. You can also finish ribs on an outdoor grill. Put them over indirect medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes to provide a show for your guests.

Warning

Do not boil the ribs. If the cooking liquid begins to boil, turn your roaster oven down. Handle the liner and pour out the hot water very carefully so that it does not drip back along the pan or counter onto the floor.