Baby Back Ribs: Bbq And Cooking Techniques

Baby back ribs are a true crowd-pleaser. They are sweet, sticky, smoky, and savoury. The best way to cook ribs is in a smoker, but if you're short on time, you can use an oven or grill. The key to tender ribs is to cook them low and slow, allowing the fat to render out slowly and the connective tissue to break down. Before cooking, remove the membrane from the underside of the ribs and coat them with a spice rub. Then, cook the ribs for 2 hours before wrapping them in foil and returning them to the heat for another 1.5 hours. Finally, unwrap the ribs, brush them with barbecue sauce, and cook for an additional 45 minutes to 1 hour.

How to prepare the ribs for cooking

Preparing your ribs for cooking is a crucial step in the process of making mouth-watering, fall-off-the-bone BBQ baby back ribs. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide to ensure your ribs are ready for the grill or oven:

Step 1: Remove the Membrane

First, you'll want to remove the thin membrane, or silver skin, that coats the underside of the ribs. This can be done using a butter knife or a small, sharp knife. Simply loosen the membrane around one of the end bones, scraping it away from the ribs. Then, grab the membrane with a paper towel and peel it off. Alternatively, you can ask your butcher to do this step for you. Removing this membrane is important as it allows the spice rub to better penetrate the meat and ensures more tender ribs.

Step 2: Prepare the Spice Rub

The spice rub is what gives your ribs their delicious flavour, so it's important to get this right. You can either use a store-bought spice rub or make your own. If you're feeling adventurous, try making a homemade rub with a combination of spices such as brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, and cayenne pepper.

Step 3: Apply the Spice Rub

Once you have your spice rub ready, it's time to coat the ribs. Place your ribs on a large baking sheet or foil and generously apply the rub to both sides of the racks. Make sure to pat it down and rub it in, ensuring a nice, even coating. You can also massage the rub into the meat for extra penetration. Let the ribs sit for about 15 minutes to "sweat" and absorb the spices.

Step 4: Wrap and Refrigerate

After applying the spice rub, wrap the ribs tightly in foil. This helps to lock in the moisture and allows the flavours to penetrate the meat. Place the wrapped ribs in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours or even overnight for maximum flavour.

Step 5: Bring to Room Temperature

When you're ready to start cooking, take the ribs out of the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature. This step is important as it ensures more even cooking.

Now that your ribs are prepared, you're ready to start cooking! Fire up your grill or preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy some delicious, fall-off-the-bone BBQ baby back ribs.

How to make a spice rub

A good spice rub is essential to a tasty rack of BBQ baby back ribs. The rub not only helps to tenderise the meat but also imparts a deep, complex flavour profile. While store-bought rubs can be delicious, a homemade rub ensures a well-balanced and tasty result.

Ingredients

You can mix and match from a variety of spices and seasonings to create your own unique spice rub blend. Common ingredients include:

• Brown sugar
• Salt (preferably kosher or Himalayan sea salt)
• Pepper
• Smoked paprika
• Cumin
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Oregano
• Dry/ground mustard
• Cayenne pepper
• Chilli powder
• Cajun seasoning
• BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Step 1: Combine Ingredients

In a medium-sized bowl, combine your chosen spices and seasonings. Mix well to ensure they are evenly distributed. You can adjust the quantities of each ingredient to your taste preferences, but a good rule of thumb is to use larger amounts of the base spices (e.g. brown sugar, salt, pepper) and smaller amounts of the stronger, more intense spices (e.g. cayenne pepper, chilli powder).

Step 2: Prepare the Ribs

Before applying the spice rub, it is recommended to remove the thin membrane that coats the underside of the ribs. This can be done by loosening it with a knife and then peeling it off with a paper towel. Removing this membrane allows the spice rub to better penetrate the meat and ensures more tender ribs.

Step 3: Apply the Spice Rub

Place your rack of ribs on a large baking sheet or foil. Generously apply the spice rub to both sides of the ribs, rubbing and patting it into the meat. Make sure to get a nice, even coating. You can use your hands or a basting brush for this step.

Step 4: Let the Rub "Sweat"

Allow the ribs to sit for about 15 minutes after applying the spice rub. This gives the meat time to "sweat" and absorb the flavours of the rub.

Step 5: Add More Rub (Optional)

After the ribs have rested, you can apply a second coating of the spice rub. This step is optional but will ensure a more intense flavour.

Step 6: Refrigerate

Once you are satisfied with the amount of spice rub, cover the ribs and place them in the refrigerator. It is best to let them sit for at least 6 hours or even overnight to allow the flavours to really penetrate the meat.

Step 7: Grill or Bake

Now your ribs are ready for cooking! You can grill them over indirect heat for about 3 hours or bake them in the oven at 300°F for 2-2.5 hours. For extra flavour, brush the ribs with BBQ sauce during the last 15-30 minutes of cooking.

Enjoy your delicious, fall-off-the-bone BBQ baby back ribs!

How to cook ribs in an oven

Ingredients

• Baby back pork ribs
• Olive oil
• BBQ seasoning or dry rub
• BBQ sauce
• Honey

Method

• Inspect the baby back ribs for any bone fragments or pieces of fat that need to be trimmed off.
• Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs (optional). This can be done by inserting a butter knife under the membrane and lifting it away, or by grabbing the membrane with a paper towel.
• Cut the ribs into individual ribs by running a knife between each bone.
• Place the ribs into a large bowl and coat them with olive oil, then toss them with the BBQ seasoning or dry rub.
• Place the ribs onto a wire rack, meat-side up, on a baking sheet and place them in the oven at 350°F.
• After 45 minutes, flip the ribs and cook for another 45 minutes.
• Check the internal temperature of the ribs. They should be between 175-185°F. If they are not, continue cooking and flipping until they reach this temperature.
• Brush your favourite BBQ sauce onto each rib, then drizzle each rib with honey. Flip the ribs and repeat.
• Turn the broiler to high and place the ribs on the centre rack, being careful not to place them too close to the heat source.
• Allow the sauce to bubble and the edges of the ribs to brown and crisp up.
• Place the ribs under the broiler for about 2-3 minutes, then flip and place them back into the oven to finish broiling on the other side.

Tips

• For a homemade BBQ seasoning, mix kosher salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika and brown sugar.
• For a dry rub, mix ancho chile powder, white and brown sugars, salt, black pepper, cumin, dry mustard, cayenne, and chipotle pepper.
• For a BBQ sauce, mix olive oil, onion, cumin, ketchup, hot chilli sauce, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar.
• For a sweeter BBQ sauce, try Stubb's Sticky Sweet BBQ Sauce.
• For a good store-bought BBQ sauce, try Sweet Baby Ray's.

How to cook ribs on a grill

Ingredients

• Baby back ribs
• Barbecue sauce
• Dry rub (optional)

Steps

• Prepare the ribs: Remove the membrane from the underside of the ribs. You can ask your butcher to do this or use a butter knife to loosen the membrane around one of the end bones, then grab it with a paper towel and peel it off.
• Apply the dry rub (if using): Cover both sides of the ribs with a generous amount of rub. You can make your own rub by combining spices such as brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Let the ribs sit for about 15 minutes to absorb the rub.
• Preheat the grill: Light your gas grill to medium-high at around 300°F. If using charcoal briquettes, arrange them on one side of the barbecue.
• Place the ribs on the grill: Put the ribs on the grill grates, bone-side down, and close the lid. Check on the ribs every 20 minutes or so, and move them around if they are cooking unevenly.
• Baste with barbecue sauce: After about an hour, brush the ribs with barbecue sauce. Be sure to only baste during the last 15-30 minutes of grilling to prevent the sugars in the sauce from burning.
• Finish grilling: Turn the heat to low and shut the grill for about 15 minutes.
• Rest the ribs: Remove the ribs from the grill and let them rest for at least 10-15 minutes before cutting and serving. This will ensure the ribs stay juicy.

Tips:

• If desired, you can wrap the ribs in foil and refrigerate for several hours or overnight before grilling to enhance the flavour.
• To determine if the ribs are done, use an instant-read thermometer. For the most tender results, the internal temperature should be between 195°F to 200°F.

How to store and reheat leftover ribs

Storing and reheating leftover ribs properly is essential to ensure food safety and maintain the best taste and texture. Here's a guide to help you do it right:

Storing Leftover Ribs:

• Let the ribs cool: After your BBQ meal, let the ribs cool down to room temperature. Don't leave them out for more than two hours, or one hour if the temperature is above 90°F (32°C).
• Wrap the ribs: Once cooled, wrap the ribs tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Make sure they are well-sealed to prevent air exposure, which can dry out the meat.
• Store in the fridge: Place the wrapped ribs in a container or sealable bag to prevent any odors from escaping and affecting other foods. Store them in the refrigerator, where they will keep well for up to four days.

Reheating Leftover Ribs:

• Oven reheating (recommended): Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Remove the ribs from the refrigerator and unwrap them. Place them on a foil-lined baking sheet, meat-side up. Add a small amount of liquid, such as apple juice, beer, or water, to the baking sheet to create a moist environment and prevent drying. Cover the ribs loosely with foil and heat for about 30 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove the foil and heat for an additional 5-10 minutes to crisp up the exterior.
• Grill or BBQ reheating: You can also reheat ribs on a grill or BBQ. Preheat your grill to medium-low heat, about 300°F (150°C). Wrap the ribs in foil and place them on the grill, adding a small amount of liquid to the packet as mentioned above. Heat for 15-20 minutes, then unwrap and continue heating for another 5-10 minutes to crisp and char the surface.

Always ensure that your ribs are thoroughly reheated before serving, and avoid reheating them more than once to preserve the best taste and texture. Enjoy your leftover ribs as if they were freshly cooked!

Frequently asked questions