Grilled Baby Back Ribs

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Grilling ribs might seem intimidating if you’re new to it, but my recipe for Grilled Baby Back Ribs makes it so easy! Whether you’re experienced with grilling or not, you can grill succulent, tender ribs with a sweet-and-spicy BBQ sauce all in less than 2 hours. It’s straightforward, easy, and best of all, delicious!

Jump to:

• Baby Back Ribs on Grill
• Baby Back Ribs Ingredients
• Dry Rub for Baby Back Ribs on the Grill
• How to Grill Baby Back Ribs
• Grilling Baby Back Ribs Tips
• Oven Roasted Baby Back Ribs
• Grilled Baby Back Ribs FAQs
• How Long to Cook Baby Back Ribs on the Grill
• Ribs Grill Temperature
• Internal Temp for Baby Back Ribs
• How to Cut Pork Ribs
• How to Store Baby Back Ribs Leftovers
• How to Reheat Baby Back Pork Ribs
• Side Dishes for Ribs
• Recipe
• Reviews

Baby Back Ribs on Grill

I believe grilling with family and friends is one of life’s simple pleasures – I love easy recipes on the grill when entertaining! BBQ baby back ribs are one of my absolute favorite grilling recipes.

My family makes this recipe at least once a month – and I am talking year-round. After all, that’s one of the perks of living in Florida: It’s always grilling season!

And let me tell you, that’s my favorite part about living in Florida. It’s easy to feel like a superstar behind the grill. There is nothing like grilling up a dish that has everyone saying WOW!

These baby back ribs are just amazing. Super easy to make and just incredible. Thank you for the recipe!

James

Baby Back Ribs Ingredients

• Baby Back Ribs
• Rib dry rub (your choice, or use my dry rub for ribs)
• Barbecue sauce (use your choice or my favorite BBQ Sauce)
• Garlic powder

Dry Rub for Baby Back Ribs on the Grill

• Packed brown sugar
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Creole seasoning
• Black pepper
• Paprika
• Salt, preferably Himalayan sea salt
• Cumin
• Chili powder
• Mustard powder

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 we highly recommend trying it.

How to Grill Baby Back Ribs

1. On a large-rimmed baking sheet, rub each rack of ribs with the rib dry rub and refrigerate overnight. Make sure to cover the racks well and pat down the rub. It’s called a rub for a reason…. rub, rub, and pat, pat, pat on both sides; you want a lovely coating!
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Mix the BBQ sauce and garlic powder. At the 1-hour mark, brush the ribs with the BBQ Sauce using a basting brush. Give them a good coating.
5. 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.
6. Remove from the 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.
7. Serve with additional BBQ sauce on the side.

Grilling Baby Back Ribs Tips

• 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.
• 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.

Oven Roasted Baby Back Ribs

1. Season the ribs all over with rib dry rub, cover well, and refrigerate overnight.
2. 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.
3. 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.

You can also prepare baby back ribs in the air fryer. Try our Air Fryer Pork Ribs!

Grilled Baby Back Ribs FAQs

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.

Ribs Grill Temperature

Light your gas grill to medium-high at approximately 300 degrees for about 1 hour. After the 1-hour mark, baste the ribs and turn the heat to low for 15 minutes.

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 this Pork Temperature Chart.

How to Cut Pork Ribs

1. Lay your ribs flat with the back side of the ribs facing up, to cut from the back.
2. Using a sharp knife, cut right next to the rib, between each rib, to ensure each cut has plenty of meat on the bone.

How to Store Baby Back Ribs Leftovers

1. Let the grilled ribs cool down to room temperature.
2. Wrap them tightly in aluminum foil.
3. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
4. 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.
5. Make sure to label them with the date.

How to Reheat Baby Back Pork Ribs

1. Place the ribs on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Preheat oven to 250˚F.
2. Bake in preheated oven until the meat reaches about 140˚F and is heated through.
3. Uncover the ribs and brush them with barbecue sauce. Continue to bake for another 10-15 minutes uncovered.

Side Dishes for Ribs

• Lemon Greek Potatoes
• Grilling Corn on the Cob
• Coleslaw
• Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
• Carolina Barbecue Sauce Recipe

Try my 3-2-1 Smoked Ribs next!

Recipe