How to Barbecue Baby-Back Ribs

Baby-back ribs are the perfect type of ribs for the backyard grill because they can be cooked over hot, direct heat along with the burgers and steaks. However, to get the most tender meat you should grill them slowly like you do with other types of ribs. One rack of baby-back ribs will feed two people, or one hungry one.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 or more whole racks, pork baby-back ribs
• barbecue sauce of your choice
• Groceries
• Barbecue Tongs
• Meat Thermometers
• Barbecue Grills
• Basting Brushes
• Chef's Knives

1. Prepare your grill fire. Baby-back ribs cook best when there are both hot and medium-low sections of the grill.

2. Make sure the ribs are at or fairly close to room temperature, but don't leave them out of the refrigerator for more than about an hour. For best flavor you should let the ribs marinate at least a few hours prior to cooking.

3. Mix in some soaked wood with the charcoal to create more smoke.

4. Place the ribs on the grill but don't put them directly over high heat. They're supposed to cook slowly for a couple of hours from the smoke and heat inside the grill.

5. Turn them often as they cook.

6. Note that the ribs will take about 2 to 2 1/2 hours to cook.

7. Start brushing on extra sauce about 30 minutes before they're done if.

8. Near the end of the estimated cooking time, use a knife to cut away one bone from the meat to check for doneness. Or use an instant-read thermometer; the meat is done when the internal temperature reaches 155 degrees F. For both doneness tests, be sure to check in the thickest part of the rack.

Tips & Warnings

• It's best to brush most barbecue sauces on close to the end of cooking time. Most sauces contain lots of sugar, which burns quite easily. Brush your sauce on at the end to avoid carbonizing it.
• Beware of overcooking the ribs. Baby-back racks are relatively small, and they can overcook and dry out fairly quickly, so watch them closely.

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[iamageniuster]

on 7/11/2009 Great article. I enjoyed reading it. Thanks for sharing!

[budgetmom]

on 7/6/2009 Sounds delicious. I see that there are lots of ways to cook ribs. I sear mine on the grill then slow cook in the oven covered with barbecue sauce, a little water or beer and covered in foil. I like the idea of doing it all on the grill in one easy step.

[joejhorn]

on 6/28/2008 Grill them on the BBQ for 1.5 to 2 hours on indirect heat with a rib rack. They will be perfect. Shot for 350 degrees. Come check them out on my blog.

http://cookingquest.wordpress.com

[jaybeezee]

on 3/31/2008 Smoked baby back ribs in a small portable gas grill. Super easy and moist, tender ribs with full flavor. I achieved this by rubbing down the slab with store bought rub and it sat in the fridge for a bout 5 hours. Damp woodchips in a small foil pouch, poked a few holes for smoke to vent. Covered half of my flame vents to get the whole indirect heat goin' on and ribs were hotboxed for like 2.5 hours total burn time. Besides rotating the slabs every 45 minutes, this was easy. Smoking is the best and the food is even better. 4:20

[jaybeezee]

on 3/31/2008 Smoked baby back ribs in a small portable gas grill. Super easy and moist, tender ribs with full flavor. I achieved this by rubbing down the slab with store bought rub and it sat in the fridge for a bout 5 hours. Damp woodchips in a small foil pouch, poked a few holes for smoke to vent. Covered half of my flame vents to get the whole indirect heat goin' on and ribs were hotboxed for like 2.5 hours total burn time. Besides rotating the slabs every 45 minutes, this was easy. Smoking is the best and the food is even better. 4:20