There’s More than One Way to Cook Baby Back Ribs to Perfection
When cooked properly, baby back ribs are the most succulent ribs you’ll ever enjoy. They are meatier, leaner, and more expensive than traditional spare ribs. Cut from the loin section of the pig, they are also smaller than their counterparts. The question is—how do you cook baby back ribs to ensure their tender flavor is fully enjoyed? The answer is simple: there’s more than one way to skin that hog.
Ways to Prepare Baby Back Ribs
There are several ways to prepare baby back ribs. You can apply a rub (a mix of various seasonings) and cook them using one of the methods below. Alternatively, you could bathe them in barbecue sauce before cooking or soak them in a marinade beforehand. Some people like to apply a rub and cook the ribs in barbecue sauce at the same time. The choice is yours. You’ll find many rubs, sauces, and marinades at your local grocery store, butcher shop, or online. If you have the time and motivation, making your own rub, sauce, or marinade can be a rewarding experience.
Barbecue
Barbecued ribs are incredibly delicious and tender. Barbecuing involves cooking the ribs in a smoker or on a grill that’s been converted to a smoker, using indirect heat. Sweet woods, such as pecan, peach, or apple, are recommended to enhance the flavor. The heat should be around 220 to 230 degrees F. Cooking ribs this way takes anywhere from two to three hours.
After prepping the ribs, many cooks like to wrap them in heavy-duty aluminum foil and drizzle honey over them before placing them in the smoker. After about two hours, carefully unwrap the hot ribs, pour apple juice over them, and place them back in the smoker for another hour. This method gives the ribs a flavorful crust, with the apple juice helping to enhance the effect. Once done, remove them from the smoker and serve with your favorite sauce.
Grill
Grilling ribs using traditional methods on a gas grill is not recommended. Grilling typically uses direct heat at high temperatures, which can dry out the ribs.
After prepping the ribs with a rub, heat the grill to 300 degrees F, using only a corner burner. Do not use all the burners. If the ribs are placed on the left side of the grill, only the burner on the right side should be used. Close the grill lid and cook for 30 minutes. Then, wrap the ribs in heavy-duty aluminum foil and bathe them in apple juice. Increase the temperature to 375 degrees F, tightly wrap the ribs, and place them on the grill. Cook for another 30 minutes.
After this, unwrap the ribs and lower the temperature to 250 degrees F. Place the ribs back on the grill, keeping the lid open, and liberally coat them with BBQ sauce every five minutes. After 30 minutes, they’re ready to serve.
Oven
Cooking ribs in the oven is easy and results in deliciously tender meat. Set the oven to 250 degrees F and cook the ribs for about 2.5 hours. After applying the rub, place the ribs in heavy-duty aluminum foil and generously baste them with sauce. Seal the foil tightly to ensure even distribution of the sauce, then place the ribs on a baking sheet and cook in the oven.
After 2.5 hours, remove the ribs and apply a glaze, more BBQ sauce, or apple juice. Place them under the broiler until a crust forms on the ribs. Once that happens, they’re ready to serve.
Slow Cooker
Cooking ribs in a slow cooker or crockpot is incredibly easy. Simply coat the ribs in a rub and place them in the cooker. Add liquid such as BBQ sauce, water, or beer. The amount of liquid can vary—just a cup for ribs to sit on top of the liquid, or three to four cups for the ribs to be soaked throughout the cooking process. If using water or beer, stick with a cup.
Cover the slow cooker and cook the ribs on low for six to eight hours. If you prefer a crusty finish, place the ribs under the broiler in the oven for about 20 minutes after they’re done. Alternatively, you can serve them directly from the slow cooker.
That’s the skinny on how to cook baby back ribs. You can enjoy them anytime, whether you’re cooking indoors or outdoors.
