Description

This grilled BBQ baby back ribs recipe features a quick and easy smoky rub that delivers tender, juicy ribs with a perfect balance of smoky heat, sweetness, and salt. Ideal for backyard gatherings, it skips complicated marinades and slow cooking without sacrificing flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

1 full rack baby back ribs (about 2 to 2.5 pounds / 900–1100 grams), trimmed of excess fat and membrane removed
2 tablespoons smoked paprika
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, adjust to taste)
1 teaspoon freshly cracked ground black pepper
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (for spritzing)
Optional: Your favorite BBQ sauce for brushing in the last 10-15 minutes

Instructions

Rinse the rack under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Use a sharp knife to remove the thin membrane from the back of the ribs. This takes about 10 minutes.
In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, salt, and chili powder. Mix thoroughly.
Lightly brush the ribs with olive oil, then generously coat both sides with the smoky rub, massaging it into the meat. Let the ribs sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes while you prepare the grill.
Preheat the grill for indirect cooking with a medium heat zone (about 275°F / 135°C). If using charcoal, bank the coals to one side; if gas, turn on one burner only.
Place ribs meat-side up over indirect heat. Close the lid and cook for 1 hour, maintaining temperature. Every 20 minutes, spritz the ribs lightly with apple cider vinegar.
After 1 hour, wrap the ribs tightly in aluminum foil, creating a sealed packet. Return to the grill and cook for another 30 minutes.
Carefully unwrap the ribs and place them back on the grill over direct heat for 10-15 minutes to firm up the crust and add char. Brush on BBQ sauce if desired during this time.
Remove ribs from the grill and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing between the bones. Serve warm.

Notes

Remove the membrane from ribs for tenderness. Keep grill temperature steady at about 275°F for indirect cooking. Spritz ribs with apple cider vinegar every 20 minutes to keep moist. Let ribs rest before slicing to redistribute juices. If no grill is available, bake wrapped ribs at 300°F for 2 hours and broil uncovered for 5-10 minutes to crisp.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: About 4 ribs per ser
Calories: 450
Sugar: 10
Sodium: 900
Fat: 30
Saturated Fat: 10
Carbohydrates: 15
Fiber: 2
Protein: 32

Keywords: BBQ ribs, grilled ribs, baby back ribs, smoky rub, easy BBQ recipe, backyard grilling, smoky ribs, barbecue, summer cookout