5 Steps To The Best Baby Back Ribs

Let’s get real here, in the realm of traditional 4^th of July foods; nothing comes to mind faster than Barbecue (BBQ)!  You can BBQ chicken or sausage or slow-smoked beef brisket or even a hearty rack of beef ribs.  But for me, it has to be baby back ribs.  I love pork!

Not a “Grill Master?” No worries, me either.  But that doesn’t stop me from making these fall off the bone ribs.  My secret?  I use my oven!  Using the oven means you can have ribs any time of year, even in the middle of winter! 

But wait, you say. It’s summer, and it’s hot!  I don’t want to heat up the house by having the oven on all day!  Got you covered.  Put your ribs on the grill.  Using the indirect heat method with the cover down makes your grill work like an over.

Ready Set Go – All The Steps For Your Best Baby Back Ribs

Step 1 – Make A Good Dry Rub

A “dry rub”  consists of the herbs and spices you are using to flavor your ribs.  You can easily buy BBQ Rubs like Famous Daves RibRub Seasoning available at your local store. But a good rub easy to make, and the best thing is you can choose the spices and customize the rub to your liking. I’ve included my rub in the recipe below, but feel free to change it up.

Step 2 – Tenderize and Season The Ribs

By their nature, the ribs are not the most tender cut of meat on any animal.  You need to show them a little love and patience.  To ensure you end up with a well-seasoned rack of baby back ribs that will fall off the bone when done, you need to do a few things before they go on the heat. 

1.  Remove the silver membrane from the back of the ribs. The membrane can get tough during cooking. This can be tricky, but you should be able to work your knife under the membrane and then peel it off the ribs.  Use a kitchen towel or paper towel if you need a better grip.   If you have a good butcher, they can do this for you.

2.  To help the rub stick to the ribs and tenderize the meat, even more, slather a thin layer of mustard on both sides of the ribs before applying the rub.  Mustard will add more flavor, and the vinegar in the mustard is a natural tenderizer.

3.  Sprinkle your rub all over both sides of the rack of ribs and pat it down into the mustard.  I know it’s called a rub, but really rubbing the spices can get pretty messy. 

4.  Wrap the ribs tightly in aluminum foil.  Make sure the foil seams are well sealed.  You don’t want any juices leaking out when you cook.

Step 3 – Give Give The Rub Time To Season The Meat

Once you have the ribs all seasoned and wrapped, let the ribs rest.  I usually season the ribs the day before cooking and place them in the refrigerator overnight.  You don’t have to do this as you will be cooking them for around 4 hours.  But I find the extra time the rub sits on the ribs adds even more flavor.

Step 4 – Cook Those Baby Back Ribs Low and Slow

Have your oven or grill pre-heated to 275⁰.  Place the ribs wrapped in foil on a large baking sheet in the oven and relax.  The ribs will need 3 – 4 hours to cook, depending on how big your rack is.

Using a grill is a little more work, and you will be using indirect heat.  This means using only one set of burners and placing the baking sheet with ribs on the side away from the heat on a gas grill.  On a charcoal grill, move all the coals to one side and place the ribs on the side away from the heat. Use a  thermometer for your grill and watch the temperature to ensure the low-temperature setting stays consistent.  Cooking time is the same on the grill as in the oven.

Step 5 – Make The Ribs Shine

Now your ribs are cooked through and just about ready to eat, but I do have one last step.  Take the baby back ribs out of the oven or off the grill.  Raise the temperature on your grill to a lovely medium-high heat.  Spread your favorite BBQ sauce all over one side of the rack of ribs and gently lay them directly on the grill. 

You can make your own BBQ sauce; many people do. But I live close to Kinder’s Meats & Deli, and they have the best sauces (they also have the best meats). I can’t beat their flavors!

The ribs are on the grill to caramelize that lovely BBQ sauce and seal in even more flavor.  You can do this in your oven under the broil setting if you don’t have or aren’t using a grill.  Give the ribs a few minutes on side one while you baste side two with the BBQ sauce.  Next, flip the rack over and caramelize the other side. 

---

You are now ready to plate and eat your Baby Back Ribs!