How to Perfectly Grill Baby Back Ribs with Ease

Ready to step up your grilling game? While classic hot dogs and burgers are great, Nicole McLaughlin (aka NicoleMcmom) will show you how to elevate your BBQ with an effortless technique for grilling succulent, fall-apart baby back ribs.

The process begins with a bold, spicy rub to enhance flavor, followed by a simple two-step grilling method to keep the ribs juicy, and wraps up with a coating of homemade barbecue sauce for that perfect savory finish.

Nicole uses her special rub from the Prize Winning Baby Back Ribs recipe, pairs it with her Zippy Barbecue Sauce, and follows her foolproof grilling technique to achieve mouthwatering baby back ribs. Combine everything for a BBQ feast that will earn rave reviews all summer.

How to Master Grilled Baby Back Ribs

Plan for about one pound of baby back ribs per person. If the ribs come with a tough membrane along the backbone, feel free to remove it yourself or ask your butcher to take it off.

1. Preheat your gas grill to high heat, or arrange charcoal on one side of the grill to create both a hot and a cool side.
2. Mix up your dry rub (see recipe below) and generously coat both sides of the ribs.
3. Wrap the ribs in foil and place them on the cooler side of the grill, cooking over indirect heat for 1–1½ hours.
4. While the ribs cook, make the barbecue sauce (see recipe below).
5. Unwrap the ribs—they should begin to pull away from the bones.
6. Transfer the ribs to the hot side of the grill, cooking directly over the heat for 10 to 15 minutes, flipping every few minutes to allow the meat to caramelize.
7. In the final five minutes, brush the ribs with barbecue sauce on both sides.
8. Remove the ribs from the grill and let them rest for 10 minutes. Slice between the bones and serve with extra sauce on the side for dipping.

Fiery Dry Rub

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• salt and pepper to taste
• Nicole adds brown sugar and garlic powder to the mix, but that's optional

Instructions: Mix all ingredients together and set aside for later use.

Homemade Barbecue Sauce

Ingredients

• ½ cup ketchup
• ½ cup water
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar (Nicole uses apple cider vinegar)
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco)
• ¼ granulated garlic
• ¼ freshly ground black pepper

Instructions: In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes.

Connect with Nicole on Dinogo as NicoleMcmom or follow her on Instagram @nicolemcmom.

More tips, tricks, and ideas from Nicole:

• How to Make Perfect Meatballs
• How to Turn Plain Chicken Breast Into 5 Completely Different Dishes
• How to Use and Care for a Cast Iron Skillet
• Create Easy One-Pot Meals With This Simple Formula
• 12 Surprising Ways To Use Your Food Processor