Ribs are a staple of BBQ parties, and while it is usually cooked in ovens, unlike other barbecue meats, you also have the option to cook in on a gas grill if you just want to use one appliance during the party. Cooking ribs on a gas grill has several steps that you need to follow in order to get the best ribs to serve to your guests, although you can add some more steps or ingredients to the recipe if you want to add a personal touch to the dish. Most of the best grills shown on My Grill World can cook ribs perfectly by following the steps written below. So, let’s get started with the guide on how to BBQ ribs of a gas grill.
What are the Ingredients?
The ingredients needed for grill-cooked ribs are fairly simple, and they are the same as the ingredients used for oven-cooked ribs. However, the key difference is between the two types of ribs is actually in the method of cooking. Before we get into the process of cooking the ribs on the grill, here are the ingredients that you need to prepare:
- 2 racks of baby back ribs
- 1 pack of hickory wood chips that are soaked in water for 30 minutes
- 1 cup of your favorite barbecue sauce
- 2 teaspoons of paprika
- 2 teaspoons of dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons of powdered garlic (granulated)
- salt and pepper
If you want the ribs to be a little bit spicier, you can opt to add spicy ingredients like crushed chili peppers, chili flakes, or chili powder.
Preparation
In preparation for cooking the ribs, you would first have to set up the grill and make sure that it will turn on at medium heat, which is supposed to be 350 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. After setting up the grill, get a small mixing bowl and start putting the paprika, powdered garlic, dried thyme, salt, and pepper into the bowl. Mix the ingredients well on the bowl, as the mixture will serve as the rub that will add flavor to the ribs.
After preparing the rub, place the two racks of baby back ribs on the cutting board and remove their membrane, which is the thin and almost-transparent tissue attached to the underside of the ribs. You can remove the membrane by carefully cutting it using a membrane-removing tool or a knife and gently peeling it using your hands. Before moving on to another step, always make sure that there aren’t any small parts of the membrane still attached to the ribs, as it will make some portions of the meat tougher once it is cooked.
Next, cut each rack of ribs into two so that you will have two smaller racks suitable for serving to one person. Cutting one rack into two also allows you to cook the ribs easier since you won’t have to worry about the middle part being undercooked. After cutting the ribs, wash your hands and let them dry for a few minutes, and then start applying the rub on the ribs using your hands. Gently massage the ribs with your hands while applying the rub while also putting the rub in the narrow spaces of the meat.
Grilling the Ribs
Clean the grates by brushing off any ash or dirt. Then, turn on the gas grill at medium heat and preheat it for a few minutes while applying cooking oil on the grates. After preheating, place the ribs on the grill and close the lid. Wait for one side of the ribs to cook for 30 minutes before opening the lid and turning the ribs over to its other side. Close the lid of the grill again and wait for 30 minutes for the other side to cook.
Afterward, open the lid and cook the ribs for 20 to 30 more minutes while turning it over every now then and basting it with BBQ sauce. If you are satisfied with how the ribs look, you can test if it is cooked by poking the side of the ribs with a knife to see if some parts of the meat fall off the bone. However, the parts of the meat should be soft and not tough, as the toughness of the meat may indicate that it is overcooked. Once you know that the ribs are cooked, place the ribs on a cutting board and let them rest for eight to ten minutes. After resting, you can then cut the ribs in your preferred serving size. Place the grilled ribs on a serving platter and pair it with your favorite barbecue sauce.
So, there you have it, a very easy guide on how to cook ribs on a gas grill. By reading this guide, you will see that preparing ribs on a gas grill is quite similar to how ribs are prepared for the oven. If you want to only use a grill during a BBQ party, you can just cook the ribs on the grill instead of using other appliances in your home, which can be quite tedious in large gatherings where there may be people distracting you while moving from one appliance to another. Put your grill to good use and start cooking ribs and many more staple barbecue dishes.