Ingredients

1 rack baby back ribs (about 3 lbs.)

kosher salt

4 garlic cloves, minced

3 tbsp. brown sugar

2 tsp. smoked paprika

Freshly ground black pepper

1 c. barbecue sauce

Preparation

Step 1Preheat grill (or grill pan) over medium-high heat. Cut ribs into 3 sections.Step 2In a large pot over medium heat add ribs, then fill with enough water to cover ribs. Add about 1 tablespoon salt, bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes. Drain ribs and place on sheet pan. Dry well with paper towels.Step 3Meanwhile make spice rub. Combine garlic, brown sugar, paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper in a small bowl. Spoon the mixture onto the ribs and rub all over with hands.Step 4Place ribs on grill or grill pan and cook for 10 minutes, turning halfway through. Brush barbecue sauce on ribs and cook for 1 minute more until lightly charred. Serve ribs with barbecue sauce.

How do I break down a rack of ribs? When preparing your ribs, there is really only one thing you need to worry about. You may find a sinewy membrane that covers the bottom of your rack of ribs. (That is, if your local butcher hadn’t already removed it for you.)  This membrane will not break down as the ribs cook, so we’ll want to get rid of it to ensure our ribs are as tender as possible. It’s simple enough to remove with these three easy steps: 

  1. Make a small incision at one end of the ribs between the membrane and the ribs.
  2. Pull slightly on the membrane to so it begins to separate from the ribs. 
  3. With one hand and a paper towel, grab the part of the membrane exposed by your slice, and with the other hand grab the ribs underneath it and pull the membrane off the rack.  The membrane may come off in one piece, or you might need to remove it in smaller pieces. What BBQ sauce should I use to glaze my ribs? While there a number of store bought sauces you can choose from, we are partial to something homemade. You could for a classic Kansas City style sauce, or opt for something more adventurous like a sauce made with Dr. Pepper. Why boil ribs? Fair question. It seems a little odd, but boiling ribs first helps tenderize the meat before grilling. This let’s you skip the low and slow cook time in the oven or smoker.  Why grill the ribs? Grilling is where all of your flavor comes from! Not only does it give your ribs the smoky flavor we love, but it crisps up the outside and gives you the perfect caramelized bits we crave.  Tried this method? Let us know in the comments below and give it a rating!