what temperature should ribs be

The ideal temperature for cooking ribs depends on the method of cooking and the desired level of tenderness. For smoked baby back ribs, the internal temperature should be above 170°F (77°C) and kept there long enough to tenderize. Wrapping the ribs can help achieve this temperature faster, and they should be tender enough to eat when they reach 200°F (93°C) . For ribs cooked on the grill, the grill should be heated to 275°F, and the ribs should be cooked for four to five hours. The internal temperature of the ribs should be between 190°F and 200°F when finished. According to the USDA, pork ribs should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F for safety reasons, but this temperature will result in rubbery and tough meat. Pork ribs should be cooked to an internal temperature of 195°F to 203°F for tender, juicy ribs with broken-down collagen and fat. The temperature can vary from slab to slab, but most ribs are done between 195°F and 205°F. It is important to use a reliable instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the ribs, and the thermometer should be inserted into the meaty part of the ribs, avoiding the bones.