How to BBQ: Ribs

Follow these essential grilling tips and tricks for gas and charcoal grills

By Staff

how to bbq ribs

Photo by: iStockPhotos

Special Offer

What could be better on a hot summer day than your favorite meats grilled to perfection? Whether it’s grilled chicken with that special secret marinade or shish-kabobs with a healthy twist of summer veggies, that barbecue flavor is one-of-a-kind. However, when dry-heat cooking, factors such as preparation, grill temperature and cooking time come into play, since they vary depending on what’s on the grill. To ensure success when heating up your favorite BBQ delights, every Friday will provide tips and guidelines to heighten your grilling experience. The series includes Steak & Burgers, Seafood, Vegetables, Chicken and Ribs. Today, lets plunge into the rules and regulations of preparing succulent, flavor-filled ribs.

Ribs Grilling Tips:

1. A flavorful dry rub can add a great kick to ribs. However, the rub should only be applied up to two hours beforehand.

2. For moist and flavorful meat, try soaking the ribs in brine for up to 24 hours before grilling.

3. Add wood chips to the charcoal to create more smoke, thus adding flavor to the meat. Mesquite or cherry wood chips are good options.

4. Don’t put sauce on the meat before cooking it. The trick is to wait until the final 15-30 minutes of cooking before slathering it on.

5. “Low and slow” seems to be the name of the game when it comes to grilling ribs. You have to be patient. Cooking on low or indirect heat for about 2-3 hours will guarantee meat that is cooked well.

6. Turn the meat at least 4 times as it cooks.

7. When a toothpick goes through the meat with the ease of poking through warm butter, your meat is ready to enjoy.

BBQ Ribs Recipes:


2. Barbecue Spare Ribs

3. Texas BBQ Sauce Pork Ribs

4. Vietnamese Pork Spare Ribs

5. Asian Beef Short Ribs