Learn how to cook barbecue ribs at home and you'll not only save money, but also produce better tasting ribs. This method utilizes the grill to get them smokey and slightly charred before finishing them in the oven. Learn how to cook barbecue ribs using this method and it's almost guaranteed you'll never want to order them out again.
If frozen, thaw the ribs and trim away any excess fat. Remove the outer membrane and brush with vegetable oil. See the enclosed video for a refresher on how to properly prepare ribs. The next step is to rub the ribs with a meat rub. All good barbecue ribs have a quality meat rub with each pit master having their own secret recipes. Eventually you may want to develop your own as well, but for now a store bought variety will work. Liberally coat all sides of the ribs with the rub. Set ribs aside and prepare the grill.
Wood chips will be required to produce that great smokey flavor. Hickory is the preferred wood for southern-style barbecue, but any fruit wood such as apple will also work. Many grocery stores and home improvement centers carry them. Be sure to use wood chips, not chunks for this method. Some methods call out to soak the chips in water, but for this method it's not required. Wrap about two cups of chips in heavy duty aluminum foil, creating a flat packet. Make the packet size about the same as a half a slab of ribs. Pierce several holes on one side of the packet with a fork. This will be the top, allowing the smoke to slowly escape and flavor the meat.
If using a charcoal grill, prepare a fire using the indirect method of grilling. This means you'll place the coals off to one side of the grill while cooking on the other side. The goal is to maintain a temperature of 250 to 275-degrees F.
Once ready, place foil packet with the holes facing up directly on top of the coals. Place ribs on the cooking grate with the meat side down and on the opposite side of the fire. Cover grill and allow to cook.
If using a gas grill, preheat only one side of the grill to 250-degrees F. Place packet of wood chips directly on the diverter plate on the hot side (right under the cooking grate). Remember to keep the pierced holes facing up. Place ribs on the cool side of the grill and close lid.
A rib rack may be needed to stand them upright if several slabs are being cooked. This allows more ribs to fit on the grill. Cook for an hour. This size packet should continue to slowly smoke for 30-45 minutes. Maintain the temperature as close to 250-degrees F as possible.
After an hour, place meaty side directly over the fire for 3-5 minutes if you want to produce a little char, otherwise remove ribs from the grill. Tightly wrap each slab in heavy duty aluminum foil. Preheat an oven to 225-degrees F. Place ribs on a baking pan and bake on the middle rack. Bake for three hours. Remove the ribs from the foil and drain off the excess grease. Brush both sides of the ribs with your favorite barbecue sauce and place back in the pan. Return to oven and cook uncovered for another 30 minutes.
Remove from oven and again brush them with the barbecue sauce. Loosely cover and allow to rest for 15 minutes before serving.
Once you learn how to cook barbecue ribs using this method, try different types of woods and rubs. Eventually you'll create a method that is all your own.
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Leave a comment if you learned, altered or can share with me. I only get better with your input. Use the comment section below. In the meantime...admire the fire and happy grilling!
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