How to grill ribs. Perhaps the most important thing you need is loads of patience. If you let your ribs cook long and slow you will end up with a delectable fall-off-the-bone, finger-licking-good treat. So do yourself a favor and take your time.
In this recipe we are going to marinade some baby back ribs for about two hours and then start cooking them on the grill. We will sear them and let them cook in indirect heat so that they get a nice smoky flavor. We will then transfer them to the oven and finish them at very low heat.
We used two of our homemade barbecue sauces in this video. The first one is made with apple juice and the second one is a spicy mustard one. However, you can use any sauce you like. Store bought is great as well.
Please make sure to remove the fascia or membrane from the back of the ribs before cooking them. This will assure that they are at their best — more flavorful and more tender. Delicious.
This is how to grill ribs like an absolute pro:
Serves eight
2 racks of baby back ribs
Vinegar
Brown Sugar
BBQ Sauce
Remove the thin membrane from the back of the racks. Rinse and pat dry the ribs. Rub them liberally with brown sugar. Place the ribs meat side down in a bowl and cover with cider vinegar. Marinate the ribs for a minimum of 2 hours.
Heat the grill for at least 20 minutes. Turn half of your burners off. If you are using a charcoal grill go ahead and pile the burning coals on one side. Remove the ribs from the marinade (discard the marinade) and place the ribs directly on the fire. Sear the ribs, meat side down and move them to the side. Place them meat side up on the unlit side and close the lid.
Make a preparation of equal parts of vinegar and brown sugar and place it in a spraying bottle (or a bowl and use a brush). Occasionally mist or mop the ribs with this.
Two hours into the cooking remove the ribs from the grill and place them in an oven pan. Slather them liberally with barbecue sauce and tent the pan. Place them into a preheated oven at 250 degrees F (121 C) and let them bake for another two hours. Brush the ribs with sauce every 30 minutes and remove the foil during the last 20 minutes of baking.
Remove the ribs from the oven and place on a cutting board. Separate the ribs individually and serve with extra barbecue sauce and lots of napkins.
Thank you. I am happy you like this. Have a great weekend!
Mary Ann
Do I close the grill lid or keep it open for those 1st two hours?
Hi JP,
Keep the lid closed. Thanks for stopping by!
Mary Ann
Hi Mary Ann! The ribs look delicious. Unfortunately I live in an apartment and I am not allowed to barbeque on the balcony. Can these be done in an oven?
Hi Lucille!
Thanks for stopping by! You can definitely make this in the oven. Here are the instructions on how to do this:
https://thefrugalchef.com/2012/09/oven-bbq-baby-back-ribs/
Take care!
Mary Ann