Food - Drink
Here's How You Should Be Reheating Ribs
By LAUREN ROTHMAN
While the best freshly barbecued ribs are juicy and tender, those same ribs can turn tough and stiff once refrigerated, and it's no small feat to figure out how to reheat them properly without drying them out. To recreate the perfect ribs from the day before, here's how to reheat them back to their fresh-out-of-the-smoker deliciousness.
Oven reheating is the most successful method for restoring ribs to their tender, juicy state. Just place leftover ribs in a pan, cover them tightly with aluminum foil, and slip them into a gentle 250-degree oven until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 130 to 140 degrees. You could also add another layer of whatever flavoring was used on the ribs in the first place.
Another great choice for reheating leftover ribs is using a toaster oven. Brush the ribs with some extra BBQ sauce, wrap the portion tightly in foil, place it on a tray, and slide it into a 250-degree toaster oven for 20-30 minutes or until it reaches 130 to 140 degrees.
An air fryer is excellent for reheating dry-rubbed, not wet-mopped, ribs. Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees, slice your ribs into a portion that will fit comfortably in the fryer basket, toss them with a tablespoon of neutral-flavored, high-heat oil, and cook them for three to four minutes, or until their internal temperature comes to 130 to 140 degrees.
For stovetop reheat, boil about a quarter cup of apple juice on a large pot, place a steamer inside the pot, add the leftover ribs and steam the ribs for about 30 minutes until the internal temperature has reached 130 to 140 degrees. Season the reduced liquid at the bottom of the pot, and then use a basting brush to apply a layer to the ribs before carving and serving.
