Cooking ribs on a stove can be tricky, but it is possible. If you don’t have access to a grill or smoker, cooking ribs on a stove is not a bad idea; it is a convenient alternative. All you need is a pot or pan; you can cook the ribs indoors, regardless of the weather conditions outside.
Various techniques, like boiling, pan-searing, and braising, can cook ribs on a stove. Your chosen cooking method, the thickness, and the kind of ribs you’re cooking will all affect how long they take.
When boiling ribs on a stove, put them in a big pot and cover them with water or broth. The ribs should be cooked for 1 to 1 hour 30 minutes, or until soft and completely cooked, starting with a boiling liquid and then reducing the heat to a simmer.
Heat a big saucepan or skillet over medium-high heat to pan-sear the ribs. Your desired seasoning should be applied to the ribs before placing them in the skillet. The ribs should be cooked on each side for 3 to 4 minutes or until the outside is crispy and browned and the interior is thoroughly done.
Place the ribs in a deep saucepan with your preferred liquid to braise them (such as broth, wine, or barbecue sauce). Leave for about two to three hours until the ribs are soft and completely cooked; simmer them on low heat with a lid on the pot.
Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the ribs reaches at least 145°F (63°C), regardless of the cooking method you select.
Can I cook Ribs on a stove?
Cooking ribs on a stove is possible with a few adjustments to the cooking process. By precooking the ribs, using a grill pan or cast-iron skillet, creating a dry rub or marinade, cooking on low heat, and finishing in the oven, you can achieve delicious and tender ribs rival those cooked on a grill.
How Can I Make Air Fryer Ribs? Everything To Know
You can use different methods to cook ribs on a stove, such as braising, boiling, or simmering them in a covered pot with minimal liquid.
A cooking technique that keeps the ribs moist and prevents them from drying is vital when cooking ribs on a stove. Depending on the thickness and cut of the ribs, you might also need to change the cooking time and temperature.
Before we proceed, here are the ingredients you must get before cooking.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds of pork ribs
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- A tablespoon of Paprika powder
- Seasonings, e.g., onion powder, garlic powder, etc.
- Lemon or apple for flavor
- 2 cups of barbecue sauce
- Water
Equipment needed
- Large pot
- Tongs
- Meat thermometer
- Aluminum foil: Used in cases where the ribs are bigger than the pot or the lid cannot be found, you can cover it with aluminum foil to keep the steam in and ensure that the ribs cook evenly.
- Barbecue sauce
- Stove
Using the correct tools can help make the process simpler and more effective, even if cooking ribs on a stove doesn’t require any expensive equipment.
Cooking Directions
- Season the ribs with salt and pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Heat a large pot over medium-high heat and add the barbecue sauce, lemon or apple flavor, and brown sugar. Cook for about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the seasoned ribs to the pot and brown them on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Add enough water to the pot to cover the ribs halfway.
- Bring the water to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let the ribs simmer for about 1 hour until they are tender and the meat falls off the bone.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Remove the ribs from the pot and place them on a baking sheet. Brush the barbecue sauce on both sides of the ribs.
- Bake the ribs in the preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes or until the sauce is caramelized and the ribs are heated.
- Remove the ribs from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
How Long To Cook Ribs on a Stove?
The cooking time for stove-cooked ribs can vary depending on the ribs’ thickness and the stove’s heat. However, it usually takes about 1 hour of simmering on the stove, followed by 10-15 minutes of baking in the oven.
Why Do I Need to Flip the Ribs on the Stove?
When cooking ribs on a stove, it’s generally a good idea to flip them at least once during the cooking process. You may need to flip them more frequently if you use high heat or your pot is not very large. Flipping the ribs also helps to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pot and ensure that they are coated with the cooking liquid or sauce.
To flip the ribs, use a pair of tongs to lift each rib and turn it over carefully. Be careful not to tear the meat or let it fall apart, making it more difficult to cook evenly. Flipping the ribs on the stove is an important step in the cooking process and can help to ensure that you get tender, juicy, and flavorful ribs.
What Is the Perfect Temperature for Ribs Cooked on a Stove?
To ensure that the ribs cook evenly, become tender, and absorb flavor, it’s important to cook them at the perfect temperature while grilling them on a stove. The perfect temperature to cook ribs on a stove is between 225°F and 250°F (107°C and 121°C)
However, as stoves lack precise temperature control, maintaining the right temperature range during cooking could be difficult. To keep the temperature between 225°F and 250°F (107°C to 121°C), you can use the medium-low heat setting on your stove and adjust the temperature as necessary.
If a meat thermometer is not available, you can check the ribs for the following indications to see if they are done:
- The meat starts to pull away from the bones
- The bones feel loose when you wiggle them
- The internal temperature of the meat reaches at least 145°F (63°C) for pork ribs.
It is important to be patient when grilling ribs on a stove and cook them at a low and steady temperature to achieve the best results.
What Is the Doneness Level for the Perfect Ribs Cooked on a Stove?
When cooking ribs on a stove, it’s important to ensure they are cooked to a safe internal temperature to avoid any risk of foodborne illness. The internal temperature of the ribs will also affect their doneness level and tenderness.
The doneness level of ribs cooked on a stove will depend on personal preference, but generally, the following temperature ranges can be used as a guide:
- Rare: 120°F to 125°F (49°C to 52°C)
- Medium-rare: 130°F to 135°F (54°C to 57°C)
- Medium: 140°F to 145°F (60°C to 63°C)
- Medium-well: 150°F to 155°F (65°C to 69°C)
- Well-done: 160°F to 165°F (71°C to 74°C)
However, when it comes to ribs, most people prefer them to be cooked until they are tender and fall off the bone. The USDA recommends cooking pork to a minimum internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) and allowing it to rest for at least 3 minutes before serving. For beef or lamb ribs, the minimum internal temperature is 145°F (63°C) for medium-rare and 160°F (71°C) for medium.
Overall, the doneness level of ribs cooked on a stove will depend on personal preference and the type of ribs being cooked. It’s important to use a meat thermometer to ensure that the ribs are cooked to a safe internal temperature before serving.
Do I Need to Flip the Ribs on the stove?
Yes, it would be best to flip the ribs on the stove to ensure they cook evenly on both sides. Flipping the ribs will also help to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pot and ensure that they are coated with the cooking liquid or sauce.
Can I step out while my ribs are cooking on the stove?
It is not advisable to leave your ribs cooking on the stove unattended because doing so might pose a fire risk and lead to overcooked or burnt ribs. Make sure that the heat is steady and the ribs are cooking evenly. It is important to keep an eye on the cooking process.
How Do I Fix Undercooked Ribs?
Few things are as disappointing as biting into a piece of rib only to find out it’s undercooked. Maybe you were in a rush, or the grill wasn’t hot enough, but now you’re stuck with undercooked ribs that are unpleasant to eat and could also be a food safety hazard. Don’t worry – you can fix undercooked ribs in a few ways.
1. Finish them on the grill or smoker
Finishing undercooked ribs on the grill or smoker is the easiest fix. If you were smoking or grilling the ribs, you can put them back on the grill or smoker and cook them a little longer.
Please ensure the grill is at the right temperature, and give the ribs an additional 10 to 15 minutes, depending on how undercooked they are. Keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t burn.
2. Oven-bake the ribs
If you don’t have a grill or smoker, you can oven-bake the undercooked ribs. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), wrap the ribs in foil, and place them on a baking sheet. Bake for about 30 minutes or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 145°F (63°C).
Check the temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it’s cooked through.
3. Boil the ribs
Another option is to boil the undercooked ribs. Boiling ribs may sound strange, but it can be an effective way to finish cooking them. Boil a pot of water, add the ribs, and let them boil for about 45 minutes.
Afterward, you can put them back on the grill or smoker to finish them with your desired sauce.
4. Slow-cook the ribs
If you have a slow cooker, you can use it to finish the undercooked ribs. Put the ribs in the slow cooker and add enough liquid (such as water, stock, or your favorite BBQ sauce) to cover them. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or until the meat is tender and fully cooked.
5. Cut the ribs into smaller pieces
If all else fails, you can cut the undercooked ribs into smaller pieces and cook them thoroughly on the grill or stovetop.
This isn’t the most elegant solution, but it’s better than throwing away the entire rack of ribs.
How Can I Make Air Fryer Ribs
Equipment
- How Can I Make Air Fryer Ribs
- Tongs
- Meat thermometer
- Barbecue sauce
- Stove
- Aluminum foil
Ingredients
- 2 pounds of pork ribs
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- A tablespoon of Paprika powder
- Seasonings, e.g., onion powder, garlic powder, etc.
- Lemon or apple for flavor
- 2 cups of barbecue sauce
- Water
Instructions
- Season the ribs with salt and pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Heat a large pot over medium-high heat and add the barbecue sauce, lemon or apple flavor, and brown sugar. Cook for about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the seasoned ribs to the pot and brown them on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Add enough water to the pot to cover the ribs halfway.
- Bring the water to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let the ribs simmer for about 1 hour until they are tender and the meat falls off the bone.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Remove the ribs from the pot and place them on a baking sheet. Brush the barbecue sauce on both sides of the ribs.
- Bake the ribs in the preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes or until the sauce is caramelized and the ribs are heated.
- Remove the ribs from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
Video
Conclusion
Cooking ribs on a stove gives you more control over the cooking process than other cooking methods. You can easily adjust the temperature and cooking time to achieve the desired level of doneness and tenderness.
The ribs can cook faster using this method than with other ways since the heat is more direct. More flavor is added, which is also beneficial. You can add your preferred flavors and spices to the cooking liquid or sauce, which the meat will absorb as it cooks.
