How to Grill Pork Ribs

Grilled pork ribs make a tasty summer dish.

Grilled pork ribs make a tasty spring and summer dish for backyard gatherings and picnics at a lake or park. But some cooks might shy away from grilling because past attempts have resulted in dry or overcooked ribs. With a little extra time and patience, however, you can make grilled pork ribs that turn out juicy and tasty every time.

Things You'll Need

• Knife
• Oil
• Frying pan
• Aluminum foil pan big enough to hold all ribs in a single layer
• Meat thermometer

Instructions

1. Trim the fat from your pork ribs with the knife. Pour enough oil into the pan to coat the bottom. Turn your stove's heat on medium and let the pan heat up for a few minutes. Place your ribs in the pan, meat side down, for 5 to 9 minutes. This will sear in the juices.

2. Add charcoal or wood chunks to one side of the grill, or if you have a gas grill, turn on only the burners on one side. Preheat the grill to about 240 to 250 degrees. Place the ribs bone-side down on the side of the grill opposite from the heat source. You can also set the ribs in a single layer in an aluminum pan next to the coals. Cooking the ribs away from the direct flame keeps them from becoming too overcooked or dry.

3. Place the cover on the grill, and allow the ribs to cook until they reach a temperature of 160 degrees. This can take an hour to two hours. Begin testing the meat's temperature with the thermometer at about an hour, then test again every 20 minutes until the right temperature is reached.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're cooking the ribs with a dry rub, apply the rub 2 hours before cooking and skip the searing step.

References

• Grilling Tips: Grilling Tips for Beef and Pork