How to Grill Ribs

This is the best grilled ribs that we’ve ever made, and continue to make year after year! If you’re looking for a how to cook pork ribs with dry rub we have a recipe and tricks to making fall off the bone tender every time you on the barbecue.

I know…..don’t they look finger lickin’ good??!! Well they are (I wish you could smell them thru the screen). Like I said, this barbecue ribs recipe is probably our favorite meal….especially during the summertime. The real key to the best fall off the bone ribs is cooking them slooooooooowly, and an amazing rub. Here is how you make the best barbecue ribs recipe ever.

You can’t go thru the summer and not cook an amazing rack of ribs on your bbq!! When school is out and the warm weather arrives we are ALL about using our grill. Let us share the best barbecue ribs recipe ever with you, we make as often as humanly possible!

They are sweet and savory and perfect for any get together outside around the grill or any time of year really. For us we always use a dry rub recipes to coat the outsides of the baby back ribs, but you can keep plain if you’d like. Ideally you should coat all sides of the ribs with the sweet savory seasonings where no sauce is needed. Will explain that more below.

How to Get Ribs to Fall off the Bone

If you know me at all you know I don’t do difficult, so believe me this is a pretty easy recipe to follow. First you need to get your rack of ribs out and remove the membrane on the ribs. This will make them easier to eat and more tender. Then flip it over and trim the fat away like you see here.

Do NOT skip this portion of the prepping process. If you have ever had the best pork ribs at your local restaurant this is how it is done. The whole reason why the meat can pull away from the bone is because this thin layer is removed. It holds everything together and that is not the ideal texture.

I explain it in detail above but all you need to do is lift it up from the rib bone with a knife and slide it all the way down. Pull with your hands and it will peel right off. Discard and you are on your way!!

Ingredient Notes

You are going to start with a whole rack of pork ribs, we prefer pig because they come out more tender than beef and the cook time below is specific to this Slow cook ribs on the grill this way.

1. Brown sugar for sweetness
2. Salt, I like Kosher with larger pieces
3. Chili powder more or less
4. Pepper
5. Garlic powder
6. Aluminum foil to wrap the ribs all up so they can essentially steam over indirect heat if using a charcoal grill
7. A small bowl to mix seasonings

on Gas Grill

When you are prepping the meat and rub, allow the grill to preheat. 200 degrees is perfect for slow grilling pork ribs perfectly. It will take a little bit of time for it to reach temp and you want it to get to that steady before starting your cook time. Once you have rubbed or massaged the rub on to the meat wrap them in tinfoil and put them on your barbecue on low, or at about 200 degrees. Remember….you want them to cook slooooooowly.

How Long to Grill Ribs in Foil

Wrap in foil and set on the grates once your grill temperature reaches a steady 200 degrees. Leave in your bbq for about 4 hours on this low heat them unwrap them and put them directly on your grill for about 20 minutes to 30 minutes so they can brown and the rub can caramelize.

Then remove the ribs and brush some barbecue sauce on top just as you would with boneless pork ribs in oven too.. Cook for another 15 minutes or so and then they are ready!!

How to Tell When Ribs are Done

I am super duper picky about this type of meat. If it isn’t tender enough for you to gently pull on the bone and for it to slide right out it needs to cook longer. When it comes to pork, longer means more tender. So if you do pull and the whole thing wants to come with you then it needs more time. Recover and let it grill for another 30 minutes, then check again. Fall Apart Beef Ribs tend to take longer to break down the connective tissues to pull away from the bones.

How to Store Leftover Pork Ribs

It doesn’t really make a difference whether they were from a pig or cow, you need to keep the air away from them and add some moisture. Once they have cooled completely, slide them into a freezer or vacuum sealed bag. Brush sauce on to the top so they don’t dry out. Then suck all of the air out, that is the enemy.

Zip closed and sit flat into your fridge to keep for about up to 3 days until you need to enjoy them again. For reheating leftover ribs your best bet is to add more sauce, wrap in foil and bake in the oven at 200 for 30 minutes or so.

If you don’t have time for this you can use your microwave for a few minutes but that machine will suck moisture out so lather on the sauce first. We have other Leftover Ribs Recipe ideas too.

Other ribs recipes you’ll love

If you’re looking for other summertime dishes & tips, you can cook these inside using our Crockpot ribs instructions. That is right, using soda is a fabulous way to break down the meat. Then broiled in the oven will give you the crisp you see here, just not the smoky flavor though.

Barbecue hacks are fun, and super helpful when you have a big gathering. Then try our country style pork ribs Instant Pot recipe!!

If you have a lot of kids and want to cut down on costs, I would make some grilled chicken drumsticks as well for them. Much cheaper, they tend to prefer this cut anyway and everyone will be happy.