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cut ribs and serve

Barbecue Ribs on a Grill – A Delicious Cooking Experience

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Smoky, tender barbecue ribs grilled to perfection, slathered in rich BBQ sauce—juicy, flavorful, and the ultimate star of any cookout or backyard feast.
Course main dish
Cuisine American
Keyword baby back ribs, barbecue ribs, barbeque ribs, bbq ribs, charcoal grill recipe, charcoal grilled ribs, low and slow ribs, spare ribs, summer grilling
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
marinating time 2 hours
Total Time 6 hours
Servings 6
Calories 450

Equipment

  • Charcoal grill (Weber kettle or similar)
  • Chimney starter
  • Meat thermometer
  • Spray bottle
  • Tongs
  • Basting brush
  • Heavy-duty aluminum foil
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Paper towels

Ingredients

For ribs:

  • 2 racks baby back or spare ribs 4-5 pounds
  • 2 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce
  • Apple Cider Vinegar for sprinkling

Dry Rubbing:

  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp red capsicum
  • 1 tbsp black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon red chilli optional

For the grill:

  • 8-10 pounds charcoal
  • 4-5 pieces of wood hickory or apple

Instructions

  • Prep the ribs: Remove membrane from bone side. Trim excess fat. Coat with thin layer of mustard.
  • Make the rub: Mix all dry rub ingredients in a bowl.
  • Season: Apply rub generously to all sides of ribs. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate 2 hours or overnight.
  • Setup grill: Light charcoal and arrange on one side of grill. Add wood chunks. Adjust vents to maintain 225-250°F.
  • Cook: Place ribs bone-side down on cool side of grill. Close lid. Spritz with vinegar every 45 minutes. Cook 2-3 hours for baby backs, 3-4 hours for spare ribs.
  • Wrap: Wrap ribs tightly in foil. Return to grill for 1-1.5 hours.
  • Sauce: Unwrap ribs, brush with BBQ sauce. Cook uncovered for 20-30 minutes, applying second coat halfway through.
  • Rest: Remove from grill. Let rest 10 minutes before cutting between bones.

Notes

Internal temperature should reach 195-203°F
Ribs form when the meat pulls back from the bones and turns easily.
Add more coal every hour to maintain temperature
Do not open the lid frequently - you will lose heat and smoke
Cook the sauce only in the last 30 minutes to avoid burning.
Pro Tip: Save the liquid from the foil wrap and add it to your BBQ sauce for extra flavor!