How To Smoke Ribs Low And Slow On A Charcoal Grill
Make authentic barbecue at home this holiday weekend on your Weber kettle grill with this low ‘n’ slow method.
Brian Bennett
Senior writer
Brian Bennett is a senior writer for the home and outdoor section at CNET. He reviews a wide range of household and smart-home products. These include everything from cordless and robot vacuum cleaners to fire pits, grills and coffee makers. An NYC native, Brian now resides in bucolic Louisville, Kentucky where he rides longboards downhill in his free time.
It’s officially summer, which means one thing: grilling season. We’ve got tips for grilling fish, making your outdoor space more tech-savvy and all the rest, but the more ambitious of you pitmasters in-training probably want to know about making authentic fall-off-the-bone barbecue . When done properly, barbecued meat is tender, juicy, smoky and very delicious. And you definitely don’t need an expensive pellet smoker or Big Green Egg grill to make it right in your own backyard. All you really need is a simple charcoal grill plus a little know-how and some practice .
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How Long To Smoke Baby Back Ribs On A Charcoal Grill
Cooking ribs on a charcoal grill takes about three hours. First, set up the grill for indirect cooking over low heat, about 300 F. Once coals are blazing red, push them to one side and place a drip pan in center of grill. If using wood chips, scatter about one cup directly over the coals, then replace the top grate. Arrange ribs on the center of the grate, close the lid and cook for about three hours, or until ribs are tender. Replenish the charcoal as needed to maintain a steady temperature, adding about 10 new coals every 45 minutes of cooking time. During the final 30 minutes of cooking time, brush several coats of barbecue sauce onto the ribs every 10 minutes.
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Everything You Need To Know To Get A Perfect Bite
Grilling the perfect pork ribs is not always the easiest task, especially when it comes to using a gas grill. However, when using a gas grill, you can expect your pork ribs to cook quicker and to be hotter when you get ready to serve them. While barbequing some ribs can be difficult, there are some tricks that will better help you with getting the tender juicy ribs that you desire.
So in this case, you would be starting off with a full rack of spare ribs that are trimmed. Baby back ribs would also be okay to use with this method. If you will be using baby back ribs, you will want to be sure that the cooking time is reduced by 5 minutes for each stage. So your cooking time should be anywhere between 1 and ½ to 2 hours.
Things you will Need
In the case of using a gas grill, you will need to make sure that you have a gas grill that has two burners because you will be indirectly cooking your ribs. The heat with gas grills is off to the side and not below the cooked goods. Some of the other ingredients that you will need for grilling your pork ribs include the following:
- A rack of ribs
- Lighter fuel for your grill
- Wood chips
- Sharp knife
Note: If you will not be using a gas grill then you will need to look for instructions online for grilling your pork ribs with a charcoal grill.
Preparing the ribs
Rubbing your ribs
Smoke Bombs
Put your Ribs on the Grill
Wrap Your Ribs
Barbeque Sauce
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Can I Cook Baby Back Ribs In The Oven
Yes! Heres how to cook our Smithfield baby back ribs in the oven:
How Long Do You Cook Baby Back Ribs At 250 In The Microwave
Check the interior temperature of the ribs after they have been heated in the microwave for two to three minutes on medium power. Serve your Baby Back Ribs once the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees Fahrenheit. If not, continue cooking them for intervals of 30 seconds until they reach the desired temperature.
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Our #1 Secret For Tender Ribs
The best, most fool-proof way to make sure that your ribs are fall off the bone tender is to bake them, covered, at a low temperature in your oven. We bake our ribs in a 275° F oven for two to three hours. It is this simple method that guarantees tender ribs!
We learned how to make oven-baked ribs from Steamy Kitchen and have never looked back! So we suggest you prep the ribs, pick out a favorite movie, open a beer, and relax until done.
These baked ribs are so easy all you need is time. We bake the ribs before adding any sauce, and then when baked, we brush on our favorite barbecue sauce.
You can use the barbecue sauce suggested in the recipe below or use your favorite homemade or store-bought sauce.
We use a similar sauce when making these barbecue chicken wings. You can also season the ribs with your favorite BBQ rub. We keep our ribs simple in the video and only use salt and pepper, but you can always add more flavor with a spice rub.
Preheat Your Grill And Start Grilling
The next step is to prepare your grill for cooking. You want to make sure the grill is impressive and hot before you start cooking. I typically heat mine up to around 300 degrees Fahrenheit . Once the grill is hot, place your ribs on it and cook them for about 130 minutes.
Then, give a final searing touch before taking them off the grill.
Make sure to keep an eye on your ribs while they are cooking. You want to flip them every so often so that they cook evenly on both sides.
After about 120-130 minutes, you will know your ribs are done because the meat should be pulling back from the bones and not sticking to them any longer.
If they still feel like theyre stuck to the bone, give them a little more time until one side is released easily. Then remove that rib and check the other sides.
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Tips For Cooking Baby Back Ribs
The Lid: These ribs will be turned every 15 minutes. This means opening the grill lid often and introducing a rush of oxygen to the coals. Were cooking at 400° F and the oxygen will cause temperature spikes, so work as quickly as possible when flipping to reduce the amount of time the grill lid is open.
The Timing: Flip every 15 minutes, its important. I find it easiest to use a large timer for grilling and cooking so I can see it at a quick glance. Using my phone as a timer is just a hassle. Either I forget to set it, my hands are dirty and I cant get it out of my pocket, or I cant get the phone to unlock while doing other things, so consider grabbing one of these inexpensive grill timers.
The Mop: Its not just for flavor on the ribs. It certainly adds a huge punch of flavor, but the mop sauce dripping down on the hot coals creates a ton of flavored steam. That steam helps cook the ribs and keeps them moist, so be generous when mopping the ribs.
The Temperature: Stay as close to 400° F as possible that can be a challenge when opening the lid so often. Much past that and youll risk burning your ribs. If you notice the temperatures rising, just close down your grills exhaust vents to restrict airflow. As always, I highly recommend using a reliable leave-in thermometer to monitor grill temperatures.
What Is The 2 2 1 Method For Ribs
Its there to help the seasoning adhere to the ribs. Trust me, you wont taste it a bit when the ribs are done. So why are they called 2 2 1 ribs? Because you smoke them uncovered for 2 hours, then smoke them wrapped in foil for another 2 hours, and finally finish them off uncovered for another hour.
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How To Make Ribs Without Bbq Sauce
If youre not a fan of BBQ sauce, or you are watching your sugar intake, the recipe Im sharing here uses no BBQ sauce. The key is to make an amazing rub for the ribs that complements the pork. Ill share mine below I love it, and its been given high praise by those who have tried it. Its both sweet and savory, and with the mop sauce these pork ribs are delicious.
How Long To Grill Ribs After Boiling
This factor depends on the heat of your grill. However, ribs must take about 1 and a half hours to 2 hours in total for grilling. You may also use visual cues to know when your ribs get done. If you want them to be tender and easily pierced with a fork and knife, but not falling from the bone, then it is important to check them.
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Can Ribs Be A Little Pink
If test one looks good, take a close look at the meat as ribs on the rack opens for you. You will probably see some pink on the first layer under the surface, but the rest of the meat should be white. It can be a little pink, but mostly white. If theres any liquid, then they are definitely not done.
What If I Want To Cook On The Grill
I make these ribs for family outdoor barbecues all the time. The secret is to cook them in the oven at home, so theyre just about ready. Then you can then slap them on the grill and baste them with BBQ Sauce to get that delicious charred finish.
This is a much easier way to make ribs for a party, when fully cooking multiple slabs of ribs for a party would take a tedious amount of time and grill space. Doing it this way allows you prepare the ribs ahead of time and just finish them on the grill, saving tons of time.
Cooking ribs in the oven on a low heat for a few hours produces incredibly tender meat that is falling off the bone, just like youd expect from cooking for hours on a bbq pit.
But super tender meat is only one part of the equation. The key to giving these ribs intense flavor is in the dry rub. A perfectly balanced dry rub does wonders for flavor, but also seals in the juices and keeps the ribs from drying out. I swear by this BBQ rib rub.
Its actually great on all types of meat, not just ribs. But I think it adds just the right amount of spice to the ribs.
Baby back ribs in the oven are just about the easiest way to make ribs and still have that fall-apart goodness you love. I actually prefer baked baby back ribs to grilled now. The texture is just perfect.
The only thing you cant really have with baked ribs is the delicious char of the grill. So if youre not planning to finish them up on the grill, youll want to broil them to add char to the top.
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Hot And Fast Or Low And Slow
How long your ribs stay on the grill largely depends on how hot your grill is running. The hotter your grill runs, the less time you spend cooking.
The tradeoff is that the shorter your ribs cook at higher heat, the less tender your end results will be. Thats why we typically recommend that you take it low and slow with grilled ribs.
Below when we discuss how long to grill each type of ribs, well highlight a hot and fast cooking time compared to a low and slow option.
How To Remove The Membrane/skin Off Baby Back Ribs
This is a controversial and personal step when cooking ribs. I grew up eating ribs with the skin left on and only started removing them about 10 years ago advice from a chef. Personally, I love the chewiness of the membrane when left on, BUT, I also love the ease of eating ribs with it removed.
Go with what YOU love!
- Turn ribs over with bone/rack-side facing up. Carefully slide a blunt knife under the membrane at one end of the rack.
- Lift to loosen the membrane off of the bone.
- Using a sheet of paper towel to hold onto the membrane, peel it off the back of the ribs.
- It should come off in one piece.
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Bake The Baby Back Ribs
To make baked baby back ribs in the oven, you need to create the perfect environment for them to steam cook.
Cut off a piece of tin foil thats large enough to make a packet for the ribs. They need to be completely encased in the foil. Crimp the edges together to keep the steam in. This is how the ribs become so tender.
Place the baking sheet in the oven at 275° F. This is a bit of a set it and forget it exercise. The exact amount of time it needs to cook depends a great deal on the size of the rack of ribs youre cooking.
- It will take around 2 to 2.5 hours for a small rack or ribs.
- Medium rack will take around 3 hours. A large rack could take up to 4 hours.
- It needs to cook in the oven for a minimum of 2 hours before you check it for the first time. After that time, give it a peek.
The meat should have significantly pulled back from the edges of the bones. If youre not sure if its done, insert a fork into the meat and give it a gentle tug. It should give easily.
If it doesnt, put it back into the oven for another 30 minutes. Remember, it could take up to 4 hours to cook the ribs to perfection, depending on the size of the ribs youre cooking.
Be careful not to over do it. Its harder to pick up the bones to eat when its too tender.
The Easiest Grilled Baby Back Ribs
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #GetGrillingAmerica #GetGrillingWithSmithfield #CollectiveBias
When I set out to do a ribs recipefor a summer-grilling blog post this summer, I had a singular mission: Partner up with my chef-neighbor and get him to share a pitmaster-worthy recipe for some awesome barbecue ribs.
So, I called him. He said sure, lets do it. I said great, what time. He said noon.
Shut the front door.
Because while Im all about putting in some time for good food, I hadnt envisioned an all day affair. I know it would have been worth it. Slow cooking ribs on a smoker for five hours produces some darn good ribs. But hanging out over a hot grill for hours in 90 degree heat wasnt exactly my idea of a relaxing weekend.
Needless to say, I did a little research and a lotta recipe testing, to come up with a super easy method for grilled baby back ribs. It may not be the Champion Pitmaster recipe I had envisioned when starting out. But these ribs are good. Really good. And you can make then any ol time.
Who inspires you to get grilling? Visit the Hero of the Grill Contest and Sweepstakes at SmithfieldGetGrilling.com where you can share and nominate who inspired you to get grilling for a chance for your hero to win $5,000! Not to mention, you can enjoy great grilling content and enter for a chance to win prizes EVERY DAY!
The Easiest Grilled Baby Back Ribs
Lets Do This
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Cooking The Ribs On The Grill
