Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The BEST Grilled Ribs are smoky, tender, and packed with deep, savory flavor. Perfect for summer cookouts, weekend gatherings, or family dinners, these ribs are seasoned to perfection, slow-grilled for incredible juiciness, and finished with a sticky glaze that caramelizes beautifully over the fire. They’re the ultimate backyard barbecue favorite that everyone will crave.

ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

BEST Grilled Ribs 10 The BEST Grilled Ribs are smoky, tender, and packed with deep, savory flavor. Perfect for summer cookouts, weekend gatherings, or family dinners, these ribs are seasoned to perfection, slow-grilled for incredible juiciness, and finished with a sticky glaze that caramelizes beautifully over the fire. They’re the ultimate backyard barbecue favorite that everyone will crave.

pork ribs (baby back or spare ribs)olive oilpaprikabrown sugargarlic powderonion powderchili powdercayenne peppersalt and black pepperbarbecue sauce

directions

Preheat your grill to medium heat (around 300°F/150°C) for indirect cooking.

Pat the ribs dry with paper towels and remove the silver skin from the back if needed.

Rub the ribs with olive oil.

In a small bowl, mix together the paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.

Generously season the ribs with the spice rub on all sides.

Place the ribs on the grill over indirect heat, bone side down.

Cover and cook for about 2.5 to 3 hours, maintaining consistent heat.

During the last 30 minutes, brush the ribs with barbecue sauce and move them to direct heat to caramelize, flipping occasionally.

Once the ribs are tender and the sauce is sticky, remove from the grill and let them rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Servings and timing

This recipe yields 4 servings.Preparation time: 20 minutesGrilling time: 2.5-3 hoursTotal time: about 3.5 hours

Variations

Use a mustard base before seasoning for extra tang.

Experiment with different spice blends like Cajun or jerk seasoning.

Apply a final glaze of honey or maple syrup for extra sweetness.

Try smoking the ribs with wood chips like hickory or apple for deeper flavor.

Use beef ribs instead of pork for a heartier option.

storage/reheating

Store leftover ribs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.Reheat in a 300°F (150°C) oven wrapped in foil for 15-20 minutes until warmed through.For a quicker method, microwave in short bursts, covering the ribs with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.

FAQs

Do I have to remove the silver skin from the ribs? Yes, removing it ensures the ribs are more tender and allows seasonings to penetrate better.

Can I cook ribs on a gas grill? Absolutely, just maintain indirect heat by turning off burners directly under the ribs.

How do I know when the ribs are done? They should be tender enough that a toothpick easily slides into the meat and the bones start to show.

What’s the best barbecue sauce to use? Any favorite will work—choose from sweet, smoky, spicy, or tangy varieties depending on your taste.

Can I marinate the ribs overnight? Yes, seasoning or marinating the ribs overnight enhances flavor even more.

What’s the difference between baby back and spare ribs? Baby backs are smaller, leaner, and cook faster, while spare ribs are meatier with more fat and flavor.

Can I finish the ribs in the oven? Yes, after grilling, you can move them to a 375°F (190°C) oven for 10-15 minutes to caramelize the sauce further.

Conclusion

The BEST Grilled Ribs are the perfect centerpiece for any barbecue, combining a smoky char with tender, flavorful meat. Easy to customize and even easier to devour, this recipe will quickly become a staple for your grilling season. Fire up the grill and get ready for some seriously mouthwatering ribs!