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Craving a plate of ribs without putting in a ton of effort? My grilled baby back ribs are smoky, juicy, and slathered in a sweet-spicy BBQ sauce you can make yourself. Summer-party ready in under 2 hours from start to finish!
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I used to think grilling baby back ribs was too complicated to pull off at home. Between kids, errands, and everyday life, who has time to master barbecue-level ribs? But once I gave it a try, I realized it's surprisingly doable!
If you've written off grilled ribs as too much work, let me reassure you - this recipe is simple, even for beginners. I tested different methods until I found the one that delivers maximum flavor and just the right texture, all while keeping things low-stress. Paired with my homemade BBQ sauce, these ribs never disappoint.
Whether you're hosting friends, planning a backyard get-together, or just craving a tasty ribs dinner, this easy recipe is for you. Give it a try, and I promise you'll see just how simple grilling baby back ribs at home can be!
Ingredients for Grilling Baby Back Ribs
- Baby Back Ribs: Fall-apart tender baby back ribs are the star of this recipe. You can substitute pork spare ribs if you prefer, but you will need to add an additional 2 hours of cooking time.
- Rib Dry Rub: My dry rub for baby back ribs on the grill uses packed brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, Creole seasoning, black pepper, paprika, sea salt flakes, cumin, chili powder, and mustard powder.
- BBQ Sauce: I use my homemade BBQ sauce recipe for this dish, which uses a mix of brown sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, water, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne. I recommend giving it a try, and it doesn't take long to mix together, but you can also use your favorite bottled brand if you're pressed for time.
My Rib Rub Recipe works great in this recipe. It's part of what makes this the best baby back ribs recipe! You can use the dry rub of your choice, but I highly recommend trying mine.
How to Grill Baby Back Ribs
- Place ribs on a large rimmed baking sheet. Coat completely with rib dry rub, patting the rub down. Place the ribs in the refrigerator overnight.
- When ready to grill, bring the ribs to room temperature. Ensure your grill grates are cleaned, then heat to medium (approximately 300°F).
- Once the grill is warm, place the ribs on the grill. Close the lid and grill for 1 hour, checking every 20 minutes and moving them around as necessary if they're cooking unevenly.
- Mix BBQ sauce with garlic powder. After 1 hour, coat the ribs well with the BBQ sauce mixture using a basting brush.
- Turn the heat on the grill to low. Shut the grill for 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, remove the ribs from the grill and transfer them to a large cutting board. Let the ribs rest for 10 minutes.
- Using a sharp knife, cut the ribs in between each bone.
- Serve with additional BBQ sauce on the side, and enjoy!
Oven Instructions
- Season the ribs all over with rib dry rub, cover well, and refrigerate overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 325°F. Allow the ribs to come to room temperature, then lay them bone-side down on a wire rack.
- Fit the wire rack on a baking tray lined with foil. Add to the oven and bake for approximately 1 hour.
- After 1 hour, brush with BBQ sauce and continue cooking for 15 minutes. When the ribs reach 195°F to 200°F, they are ready to enjoy.
Isabel's Top Tips for Grilling Baby Back Ribs
- Rub both sides of the ribs very well with the rib dry rub.
- You're going to be cooking baby back ribs on the gas grill for an hour on low, so make sure you have propane in your tank.
- Only baste with BBQ sauce in the last 15 to 20 minutes of grilling, or the sugar in the sauce will burn.
- Let your grilled baby back ribs rest for at least 15 minutes before cutting them. If you skip this step, the ribs will lose their juiciness and become dry.
- How Long to Cook Baby Back Ribs on the Grill: When the grill is warm, place the ribs on the grill grates and close the lid. I like to check on these ribs every 20 minutes or so. I move them around a bit if I feel they are cooking unevenly. Grill for approximately 1 hour.
- Internal Temp for Baby Back Ribs: Though the safe grill temperature for ribs is 145°F, you will achieve the most tender results between 195°F to around 200°F. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature when grilling ribs and follow my Pork Temperature Chart.
FAQ
Yes! However, if you use pork spare ribs in this recipe, you will need to add an additional 2 hours of cooking time. Baby back ribs are smaller than spare ribs and take less time to cook.
There are many different thoughts on this, but I have made this recipe thousands of times and have never removed the membrane from the ribs. You simply do not need to do this when grilling BBQ baby back ribs!
Top Reviews
Love the char you get from putting the ribs on the grill, thanks for all the helpful tips - Frank
Enjoyed this for dinner last night and it did not disappoint! So bold, juicy and fall off the bone delicious; the whole family loved it! - Sara
Made these on Saturday, and they were so good! Had a couple guests over for dinner, and they both agreed they were really tasty! Will definitely be making these again! - Shana
See them all here→ or keep scrolling to the comments section below!
How to Store Leftover Baby Back Ribs
- Let the grilled ribs cool down to room temperature.
- Wrap them tightly in aluminum foil.
- Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- For longer storage (up to 3 months), put the foil-wrapped ribs in an airtight container or freezer bag, and store them in the freezer.
- Make sure to label them with the date.
How to Reheat Grilled Baby Back Ribs
- Place the ribs on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Preheat oven to 250˚F.
- Bake in preheated oven until the meat reaches about 140˚F and is heated through.
- Uncover the ribs and brush them with barbecue sauce. Continue to bake for another 10-15 minutes uncovered.
What to Serve with Grilled Baby Back Ribs
Grilling with family and friends is one of life's simple pleasures! My recipe for grilled baby back ribs is proof of that. It's one of my favorite grilling recipes, and so easy to make. Even if you're new to grilling baby back ribs, you'll find this recipe simple!
Grilled Baby Back Ribs
Video
Ingredients
For grilled baby back ribs
- 2 pounds Baby back ribs
- ¼ cup Rib Dry Rub - your choice, or our dry rub
- 1 cup Barbecue Sauce
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
Instructions
- On a large rimmed baking sheet, rub each rack of ribs all over with the rib dry rub and refrigerate overnight. Make sure to cover the entire racks well and pat down the rub. It's called a rub for a reason.... rub rub rub and pat pat pat on both sides, you want a really nice coating!2 pounds Baby back ribs,¼ cup Rib Dry Rub,1 tablespoon garlic powder
- Bring the ribs to room temperature when ready to cook. Clean the grill grates. You want nice clean grill grates for these baby back ribs. Light gas grill to medium, approximately 300°F.
- When grill is warm, place the ribs on the grill grates and close the lid. I like to check on these ribs every 20 minutes or so. I move them around a bit if I feel they are cooking unevenly. Grill for approximately 1 hour.
- Mix the BBQ sauce and garlic powder. At the 1 hours mark, brush the ribs with the BBQ Sauce using a basting brush. Give them a good coating.1 cup Barbecue Sauce
- Turn the heat to low and shut the grill for approximately 15 minutes. Only baste with BBQ sauce in the last 15 to 20 minutes of grilling or the sugars will burn.
- Remove from grill and transfer to a large cutting board. Let the ribs rest for 10 minutes. Using a sharp knife, cut each rib in between each bone. Serve with additional BBQ sauce on the side.
Notes
- I have made this recipe thousands of times and have never removed the membrane from the ribs. You simply do not need to do this when grilling BBQ baby back ribs.
- Rub both sides of the ribs very well with the rib dry rub. It's called a rub for a reason - so rub rub rub and pat pat pat it down!
- You're going to be cooking baby back ribs on the gas grill for an hour on low, so make sure you have propane in your tank.
- Only baste with BBQ sauce in the last 15 to 20 minutes of grilling, or the sugar in the sauce will burn.
- Let your grilled baby back ribs rest for at least 15 minutes before cutting them. If you skip this step, the ribs will lose their juiciness and become dry.
Frank says
Love the char you get from putting the ribs on the grill, thanks for all the helpful tips
Sara Welch says
Enjoyed this for dinner last night and it did not disappoint! So bold, juicy and fall off the bone delicious; the whole family loved it!
Reis says
Those baby back ribs looks amazing! I can’t wait to make these for my family.
Liam says
Talk about a perfect Summer grilling recipe! My family is going to love these. Thank you for this great recipe.
David says
What side do you cook them on? Do you flip them over during the 1 hour cook time?
Em Beitel says
Hi David! We cooked them bone side-up to begin with, then did flip them when brushing them with the BBQ sauce. Thank you for your question!
Aaron says
Do you cook these for a full hour bone up and on the meat side?
Em Beitel says
Hi Aaron! When the grill is warm, place the ribs on the grill grates meat-side down and close the lid. I like to check on these ribs every 20 minutes or so and move them around a bit if I feel they are cooking unevenly. Grill for approximately 1 hour.
MJ says
I’m new to grilling. Do you cook over direct heat or indirect heat?
Em Beitel says
Hi MJ! Grill over direct heat for these. Thank you and enjoy!
Shana says
Made these on Saturday, and they were so good! Had a couple guests over for dinner, and they both agreed they were really tasty! Will definitely be making these again!
Em Beitel says
Thank you so much, Shana! We're so glad you and your guests enjoyed the ribs!