How To Grill Baby Back Ribs
Plan for about one pound of baby back ribs per person. The ribs can sometimes come with a membrane along the backbone that you can remove, or you can have your butcher remove it for you.
How To Prepare The Grill
Our main aim here is to turn our grill into a smoker. This actually takes a bit of skill because we need to keep a good, constant heat of about 250F/120 C. Not only will this require the use of a good meat thermometer, but also a little knowledge of indirect cooking.
If youre unfamiliar with indirect cooking, its a method that places charcoal lumpwood under one half of your grill grate, leaving the other side clear. You then put your meat on this clear side, allowing the heat inside the grill to cook it rather than the direct heat from the flames.
For a full guide check out my guide to indirect grilling.
With this approach, were going to be a bit creative and call on the help of a disposable aluminum pan. Were going to fill it with water and use it to add moisture to our grilling environment, in turn helping to regulate the temperature. More on this in a moment.
Make sure your BBQs grates and drum are both thoroughly clean before cooking. There are a lot of benefits to having a spotless BBQ, so if your grill is dirty then Id put aside half an hour to really clean it.
Once clean, remove the cooking grate and light the charcoal. There are a few methods to this, so if youre not sure how to do this then take a look at my guide on how to light a charcoal grill.
Youll need enough charcoal to cover half the grate area, and also enough to create 2-3 layers of charcoal.
Honey Chipotle Grillin’ Beans
Really, it is no different than adding something sweet like molasses or brown sugar. But in this case, the pineapple doesn’t add crazy-sweetness but it adds texture. And it’s that texture that really adds a whole new dimension of flavor I think you will really love! Combine all of that with the sweet and smoky flavor of grilled pineapple and you are gonna elevate your Memorial Day BBQ to the next level!
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Grilled Bbq Pork Spare Ribs
Fork-tender BBQ Spare Ribs coated in a Cajun dry rub and grilled to perfection with crispy outer edges. Ready to get outdoors and light up that grill?
Today, I’m bringing you a delicious BBQ spare ribs recipe that calls for firing up that outdoor charcoal grill. While you’re out grilling, make it worth your time and throw some other meat on the grill. Your family and friends will love this.
How To Make Baby Back Ribs In The Oven

Grilling not an option? Its super easy to make tender ribs in the oven too. Depending on the size of your oven you may need to cut them into smaller racks. Bake them in the oven at 275° wrapped in foil for 2 hours. Then remove the foil and cook for an additional 1 to 1.5 hours until the ribs temp is 200° or you can easily pull the meat off the bone
The first time I made these in the oven someone had given me some apple wood chips, so I now add a small pan of soaked wood chips to impart some nice flavors when I make them in the oven.
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Best Grilled Bbq Pork Ribs
Looking for a fantastic, star-of-the-show for your next barbecue? These are the Best Grilled BBQ Pork Ribs.
They are delicious, indulgent and yes, even a little messy. But they will definitely be the star of your BBQ show!
Welcome to DAY 1 of BBQ Week 2021!
I am so excited to be participating in this week long annual event.
This week you will find all kinds of fantastic recipes to serve at your next BBQ.
These recipes for main dishes, sides, appetizers, desserts and drinks are all created and provided to you by an awesome group of food bloggers.
At the bottom of each recipe that I create this week, you will find a list of other recipes that my fellow bloggers have made just for this event.
I am confident you will find plenty to add to your must try list for your next summer backyard event!
In fact, you will easily be able to put an entire BBQ menu together!
My recipe today is for the best Grilled BBQ Pork Ribs.
I will share our melt in your mouth, fall off the bone recipe and give you some tips to help you out when youre grilling.
To Precook Or Not To Precook
The rationale behind pre-cooking ribs is to tenderize the meat before it hits the grill. Then the grilling portion of the cooking process is more to add the char and adhere the sauce to the ribs. But is it necessary? If youre making side ribs, then yes, its a very good idea. As mentioned earlier, side ribs tend to be tougher than back ribs and benefit from some low-heat cooking to tenderize the meat.
Pre-cooking back ribs is optional it can make for an exceptionally tender rib, but it can be bypassed if youre not interested in cooking for hours. Do not precook country-style ribs if you intend on grilling them or they will be very dry.
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How To Start A Charcoal Grill
- Remove the grates and open any vents
- Pile in the charcoals and arrange across the barrel
- Carefully squirt lighter fluid all over the unlit charcoal and let it sit for 10 minutes or so
- Light the charcoals with a match and when the flame dies down put the grill grates back on
- Adjust the vents to reach a temperature of 250°F
Adams Tip: Remove The Membrane
For the most tender ribs, we remove the thin membrane covering the rack. It can be a bit tough when cooked, and since we love ribs that fall of the bone, the membrane has to go. You might find that the butcher has already removed this, but just in case, heres how to do it yourself.
To remove it, gently slide a knife under the membrane, and then use your fingers to pull the membrane away from the bones. If it is slippery or difficult to remove, use a kitchen towel to take hold of it and pull.
As I mentioned above, you may find that the butcher or shop you bought your ribs from has already removed the membrane. Less work for you!
Also, keep in mind that removing the membrane is optional, some people prefer ribs with the membrane left intact. For ribs with some bite or chewiness, leave the membrane alone. Its all up to you!
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How Do You Prepare Spare Ribs
Spare ribs are so easy to prepare.
How To Grill Ribs On A Charcoal Grill
Youll set your charcoal only on one side and let them get super hot, then allow them to get to medium/ low heat before placing the ribs on the non-heated side. Because it takes 2-3 hours to grill the ribs, you may need to add some coals to the bbq. Youll need to pay special attention that the grill does not get too hot.
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Go Easy On The Seasonings
When it comes to seasoning ribs, you want to be very conservative good ribs have a great flavor all on their own and don’t need a lot of enhancement. It is also important to avoid adding barbecue sauce to ribs early in the process. Most barbecue sauces, whether store-bought or homemade, contain some kind of sugar . This can cause your barbecue ribs to burn, even when cooked indirectly.
Try using a good rub before you grill, and if you like, a barbecue sauce after the grilling is done. If you are adding a sauce, try using a mop. A mop is a thin barbecue sauce that you brush on during grilling to help maintain moisture and to add flavor. Sometimes you will hear it referred to as a baste.
You can also fill a spray bottle with a thin barbecue sauce, thin meaning it is practically water. Try a mixture of paprika, water, and a few other seasonings. By spraying the ribs with this mixture during grilling you will add moisture, reduce burning, and add flavor to your barbecue ribs.
How To Wrap Ribs

Another hour later, check on the ribs. We want them to curve slightly without breaking. If theyre yet to reach this point, allow them to cook for a little longer. However, if they are bending nicely then double wrap the ribs in aluminum foil. We do this to help increase the internal temperature of the meat while also holding in moisture, making them extra juicy.
Place the wrapped ribs back on the grill. Check on the coals and water again. Dont add more wood chunks this time as the ribs will have absorbed enough smoke.
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Prepare The Spice Rub
The best way to get the most flavor from oven-baked ribs is to use a spice rub. I love this rub because it’s made with many common spices you probably already have in your pantry like cumin, smoked paprika, and ground coriander. When mixed with the brown sugar the flavor created is sweet and smokey with a little bit of a kick.
The Best Way To Grill Uncooked Ribs
The key is to keep the heat low and cook the ribs slow. Indirect heat is preferable, at a temperature between 250F to 300F. A rack of back ribs will take between 1 1/2 -2 hours to cook , and you should flip them approximately every 20 minutes. Baste with BBQ sauce each time you flip. To check for doneness and tenderness, insert a sharp-knife between two ribs, it should insert without any resistance.
Originally published July 2014.
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Bbq Ribs In The Oven Then Grill Recipe
May 19, 2020
If you want succulent, fall-off-the-bone BBQ ribs then the only way to go is to bake them in the oven first, and then finish them off on the grill. Slathering them with a sticky, homemade BBQ sauce of course.
This 2-step process will assure the most fantastic sticky ribs that fall off the bone and will be talked about for weeks afterward! They are that good!
How To Cook Ribs On The Grill
So youre ready to take the dive into the world of cooking ribs on the grill? I promise its easy and youll be obsessed with the finished product. Youll need about 15 minutes of prep time and an hour of cooking time. So, make sure you account for that when planning out your meal!
Youll want your grill preheating to low heat for about 15 minutes before youre ready to throw the ribs on. I use a propane grill, so 15 minutes is all I need. If youre using a charcoal grill, youll need more time for it to preheat, so plan accordingly.
You also dont want to put ribs on the grill that just came out of the fridge, or else the meat might get shocked. So, while your grill is heating up, let the ribs rest on the counter for about 15 minutes.
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How To Get A Great Bark On The Beef Ribs
There are 3 main ways to make sure you get a great bark/crust when smoking beef ribs.
- A Well Balanced Spice Rub Liberally Applied This Helps to Form a Spice Crust
- The Right Temperature Too High and the Meat Will Burn/Caramelise , Too Low and the Bark Wont Form. Thats why we cook Low and Slow at 225°F the Sweet Spot
- The Final Hour of Smoking Unwrapped After the Ribs Have Been Wrapped and Braised in Liquid For 2 Hours the Crust Can Be Soggy. Putting Sauce on them Helps Caramelise and Crisp up the Ribs for a Dry Bark
There are a few good options for wood choices with beef. The bold beefy flavours stand up well to a stronger smoke flavour from Hickory wood or the spicy and strong flavours of Mesquite.
Oak is also a good option as it has a strong, earthy but not overpowering flavour.
The milder fruitier tastes of cherry and apple also go well with the deep meaty flavours of beef ribs. As do sweeter, milder smoke flavours from Maple and Pecan.
You can also experiment with different blends of woods e.g. half Hickory, half Cherry.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Who’s ready for grilling season? If you’re like me summertime means grilling and grilling means ribs! And of course ribs means cooking in the oven and heating up the house…
Not anymore, these tender spareribs are cooked on the grill!
- No slow cooker, pressure cooker or cooking the rack in the oven first!
Yes, you heard me right these ribs are cooked entirely on the grill. It’s super easy to do, the hardest part is waiting for them to be done.
Ok… so today we’re talking spareribs. But these aren’t made in the pressure cooker, these are made entirely on the grill. That’s right, no oven, no pressure cooker… no problem!
If you don’t have a gas grill this can certainly be done on a charcoal grill, just cover and monitor the temperature of the grill with a heat thermometer.
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How To Cook Ribs In The Oven
The easiest barbecue ribs besides slow cooking!
- Prepare ribs as above, then pat them dry with a sheet of paper towel.
- Rub with our dry rub mixture . I like to drizzle some olive oil over them for the best juicy, tender and crispy results.
- Arrange them on a lined baking tray. You can use foil or parchment paper.
- Bake for a couple of hours, then slather with our BBQ sauce mixture. Use a brush or spoon to spread it evenly over the tops.
- Broil for an additional 2-5 minutes to get crispy, charred edges.
A Few Tips For The Best Bbq

1. Always allow your meat to come to room temperature before placing on the grill. It will ensure that your meat is more evenly cooked.
2. Stop flipping and moving. Nearly anything you cook on the grill will more than likely only need to be flipped one time. This also ensures that it is cooked all the way through. If you lift your meat up and you see it is stuck to the grill, allow it to continue cooking another minute or two it will release itself and you will know it is time to flip the meat.
3. Do not press down on the meat. No matter WHAT meat you are making on the grill, AVOID pressing down with a spatula or squishing it flat. It releases the internal juices and thats where all the flavor is. It also ensures you meat stays moist on the inside for that classic melt in your mouth bite.
4. Use a meat thermometer to get the perfect internal temperature. A meat thermometer really is a key component to ensure you dont over cook or under cook meat. Both have their problems, so simply having one on hand and knowing what temperature you need to cook to, will help you get the perfect grill.
5. Rest your meat when you remove it from the grill. Allow it to sit for at least 5-10 minutes but up to 15 minutes after removing from the grill. This will allow the internal juices to redistribute and will lead to a nice, perfect moist cut of meat. Never dry.
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