Grilling Ribs for Legendary Cookouts

If you are looking to make a splash at your next cookout, grilling ribs is one surefire way of getting there. Slow-cooked ribs over smoky coals, topped off with a fresh barbecue sauce is guaranteed to impress. This guide to grilling ribs will ensure that your cookouts become legendary.

Getting the Right Ribs

Go to the grocery store or meat market and get yourself some good pork ribs. The following cuts are best:

• Baby back ribs
• Spare ribs
• Bone-in country style ribs

Make sure they are skinless, otherwise you'll need to take the time to peel off the skin yourself.

The Dry Rub Factor

You'll need a good dry rub to help build a nice crust on the ribs. You can buy one from the store or create your own by combining:

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup salt
• 1/4 cup pepper
• 1/2 cup paprika
• 2 T rosemary
• 2 T onion powder
• 2 T garlic powder

Rub this mixture all over both sides of the ribs.

Get the Grill Burnin'

For ribs, you'll need a low cooking temperature and long cooking time. For electric and gas grills, you can simply set the temperature, but charcoal grills, while the recommended choice, take a bit more work. Use less charcoal than you would if you were cooking steak, and separate into two piles on either side of the grill. Put a pan with water in the bottom in-between the piles of coal.

To get that good smoky taste, you'll need to pick up some wood chips for the grill. Hickory, mesquite, and fruit tree woods such as cherry and apple are best. Soak them for 15 minutes before putting on the grill. You can either throw them right on the coals or wrap them in aluminum foil for electric and gas grills.

Grilling the Ribs

Once you've got a good low indirect heat going with your grill, you are ready to put your seasoned ribs on. Add some more wood chips over the next hour, but make sure you don't overdo it. Here's a key to how long it will take you to grill your ribs:

• Baby back, spareribs: 3 - 4 hours
• Country ribs: 1 1/2 - 2 hours

To test whether the ribs are done, grab them with tongs and shake them a bit. If the outside is crisp enough to crack and split, they are ready for the final step. Mop some of your favorite barbecue sauce all over and put back over the fire long enough to caramelize. You have now succeeded in grilling ribs!

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