Buzz
The most effective way to reheat ribs is by using an oven or a grill to retain the flavors of the meat and sauce in the leftover ribs. The reheating time will vary depending on the size of the rib portions, but the process remains the same.
Steps
Reheating Ribs in an Oven
Thaw the ribs you wish to reheat (if necessary).
Preheat the oven to 120°C. If the oven is hotter than this temperature, the meat may shrink and become tougher.
Evenly coat all sides of the ribs with barbecue sauce.
Wrap the ribs in two layers of aluminum foil to reheat. Be careful not to tear the foil, as it could cause the ribs to dry out.
Place the foil-wrapped ribs on a baking tray and position it in the middle rack of the oven.
Heat until the center of the ribs reaches 65°C. This step will take about 1 hour, depending on the size of the rib portions.
Remove the foil from the ribs and set the oven to broil. Turn the oven to broil mode, keeping the door open. Grill each side of the ribs for about 5-10 minutes, then flip them until the BBQ sauce starts to bubble. Keep the door open to ensure the internal temperature sensor doesn't deactivate.
Take the reheated ribs out of the oven and let them rest for about 5 minutes, or until you're ready to serve.
Reheat the ribs using a grill.
If necessary, thaw the ribs you intend to heat.
Spread the barbecue sauce evenly on both sides of the ribs.
Preheat the grill to 120°C with the lid securely closed. If you're using a gas grill, adjust the heat to medium.
Wrap the ribs in two layers of aluminum foil.
Place the ribs on the grill in a position away from direct heat and warm them until the internal temperature reaches about 65°C.
Remove the foil and place the ribs over direct heat for 5-10 minutes on each side, until the sauce begins to bubble.
Take the ribs off the grill and let them rest until ready to serve.
Tip
- Microwaving ribs may heat them unevenly; start by heating them for about 1 minute, then adjust the time. This method can make the meat tender and thin the sauce, while the fat in the ribs may splatter, so be sure to cover them with plastic wrap, paper towels, or a plate.
- Thaw any leftover ribs wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge for 6-8 hours before reheating.
- If you don't plan to eat the leftover ribs within 3-4 days, freeze them by tightly wrapping them in plastic wrap or placing them in a vacuum-sealed bag and storing them in the freezer. Make sure to remove all air when packaging the meat.
- Note that both reheating methods are effective, whether you're grilling, oven-roasting, or braising the ribs.
- If you're not using barbecue sauce when reheating, you can add a bit of water, apple juice, or white wine to the foil-wrapped meat to keep it moist and tender.
Warning
- Be sure to watch the ribs during the last 5-10 minutes of reheating. Since barbecue sauce contains sugar, it can cause the meat to burn easily.
What you will need
- Barbecue sauce
- Aluminum foil
