Grilling Baby Back Ribs

"Have you grilled them before?"

We love Grilling baby back ribs! Have you tried delicious "BBQ" baby back ribs?

Barbecue Baby Back Ribs or loin ribs are cut from the top of the rib cage between the spine and spare ribs.

bbq baby back ribs


A rack is always shorter at one end due the natural curve of the spine. A rack normally consists of 8 ribs but can include up to 13.

When Grilling Baby back ribs on the grill they can be more forgiving than spare ribs, as they are leaner and tender!

They can be grilled like burgers and steaks with a direct heat...

But...if you want them succulent and off the bone tender rather use an indirect grilling method!

Right...let me show you how to prepare them for the grill!


"Preparation - Barbecue Baby Back Ribs"


• Ask your butcher to remove the outer membrane for you. If he is too busy to help you or he's already left for the day, then be sure to check out cooking barbeque pork ribs , for a full illustration on how to do this. (the membrane is tough & chewy!)

• Coat the ribs with a tasty rib rub. Have a look at BBQ rib rub for great rub recipes!

• Gently rub in the ingredients, to allow them to sink through.

• Pour over a tasty rib sauce (sugarless), to moisten up the meat. Check out barbecue rib sauces for homemade recipes! (sugar burns on a high temperature!)

• Cover the ribs up with some aluminum foil and place in the fridge for 2 - 4 hours. (let the spices & sauce work their magic!)

• When you are ready to start grilling take the ribs out of the frigde and leave them at room temperature for 20 minutes. (no longer!)

Perfect...our ribs are ready! Let's get them to the grill!


"Grilling Baby Back Ribs"

barbecue ribs
• Light up the grill using an indirect grilling method. (cook the ribs nice and slowly!)

• Sprinkle a hand full of damp wood chips over the charcoal to create a little smoke. (smoke gives a great texture & flavour to ribs!)

• Use apple or cherry wood! Not pine or oak! (use wood that will give off a nice flavour!)


• Lightly oil your grill grid with some olive oil or cook & spray to prevent the ribs from sticking.

• Get the grill to a medium heat before you place your ribs on.

• Place the ribs on the grill grid above the aluminum foil tray. (indirect heat!)

• Close the lid and grill an hour.

• Then flip the ribs over, and grill for a another hour. (oh yes!)

• Repeat the process until the ribs are done, larger racks may need another hour.

Tips: Grilling time will be 2 - 3 hours depending on the heat of the grill and the size of the rib racks. The internal temperature of the grill needs to reach 155 degrees for the ribs to be cook correctly.

To check the ribs if they are ready make a small cut into the thickest part of the ribs and if you see any pink in the middle they're not ready. (back on the grill they go!)

Remember to use an indirect grilling method, grill them nice and slowly! Make sure you have a enough coals if you are using a charcoal grill, you need to keep the temperature constant! (Keep them the temperature constant by simply throwing in 8 or 9 coals every 20 to 30 minutes.)

Barbecue ribs are my favourite and this grilling method for baby back ribs works wonders...

Happy Grilling!!