Easy Grilled BBQ Baby Back Ribs (Tender and Juicy)

These BBQ Baby Back Ribs are made with the most delicious homemade dry rub, topped with your favorite BBQ sauce for the tastiest ribs you’ve ever had! With this recipe, you’ll get tender, fall-off-the-bone meat that’s savory, sweet, and perfectly delicious.

BBQ season is still in the full swing and I'm super excited to share a very well-loved recipe family: cooked and then grilled baby back ribs.

It hasn't been a typical item on my menu but now it will be. Multiple rounds of double glazing the racks on the grill make them incredibly delicious and packed with flavor.

First, the ribs get to cook (or more like a roast) in the oven and then thrown onto a hot grill for about 5 minutes per side.

This step adds that smoky BBQ taste to make them absolutely irresistible!

If you want to learn how to make these delicious BBQ Baby Back Ribs, then keep on reading!

Table of Contents

• What are Baby Back Ribs?
• What are BBQ Baby Back Ribs?
• Why Make a Homemade Dry Spice Rub?
• How to Remove the Membrane from Baby Back Ribs?
• What You Need to Make BBQ Baby Back Ribs at Home
• How to Make BBQ Baby Back Ribs (Step-by-Step)
• How to Store Leftover BBQ Baby Back Ribs
• Flavor Variation Ideas for BBQ Baby Back Ribs
• Similar Recipes
• Recipe Card
• Easy Grilled BBQ Baby Back Ribs (Tender and Juicy)
• Comments

What are Baby Back Ribs?

Baby back ribs are an incredibly delicious and tender cut that comes from the top of the rib cage between the spice and the spareribs, just below the loin muscle.

They’re called ‘baby’ because they are shorter when compared to spareribs. A rack of baby ribs will have a minimum of eight ribs and a maximum of around thirteen ribs.

You can make either pork ribs or beef ribs, it’s entirely up to you. Baby Back Pork Ribs are what I have used here. They taste milder than beef and also have a slight sweetness to them.

They are perfect for some heavy seasoning and the low-fat content of these ribs makes the meat tender and juicy when grilled! It’s absolutely delicious. Pigs also have a small ribcage, so these ribs will be smaller than their beef counterparts.

Beef ribs, on the other hand, will taste meatier with a more robust flavor.

What are BBQ Baby Back Ribs?

BBQ Baby Back Ribs are a delicious grilled ribs dish and an absolute family favorite. They feature baby back ribs that are rubbed with a spice rub and then grilled to perfection.

It’s the perfect BBQ dish for the summers and you can serve it with just about any side, including a delicious potato salad, corn on the cob, and your favorite BBQ sauce!

My recipe for BBQ Baby Back Ribs is the perfect combination of flavors that are not only classic but taste incredible every single time. It’s incredibly easy to make and is a total crowd-pleaser!

Why Make a Homemade Dry Spice Rub?

When it comes to a rack of baby back ribs, the spice rub makes all the difference!

Not only does a proper rub help in tenderizing the meat, but it also adds a rich, nuanced taste profile to this incredible cut of meat. 

You might have come across many people using store-bought rubs to make some BBQ Baby Back Ribs, but these rubs are overly salty, full of preservatives, and just don’t have the sort of flavor that brings out the best in the ribs.

By making a homemade spice rub, you’re going to have the most delicious flavor combination ever! Plus, my spice rub is the perfect base to customize it according to your taste.

For more information on how to make this recipe your own, read till the end of the post to find different ideas you can use to customize this recipe according to your own preferences.

How to Remove the Membrane from Baby Back Ribs?

Removing the membrane from the ribs is something not all people do or prefer. It’s a personal decision when it comes to making this dish.

It’s a thin, papery membrane known as silverskin that’s at the back of each rack.

Many people prefer the chewiness of the membrane when it’s left on, while otherwise dislike the chewiness and love the ease of eating the ribs once it’s removed.

So, feel free to decide how you’d like to prep your baby back ribs If you want to remove the membrane, here’s how to do it:

Insert the point of a knife under the membrane on the rear of each rack to remove it. One of the middle bones is the best place to start.

Secure a grip on the silverskin with a paper towel or pliers, then peel it off.

Many times, a butcher might have done this step already, but it isn’t always the case.

What You Need to Make BBQ Baby Back Ribs at Home

Baby back ribs: This is, understandably, the star ingredient of this dish! I’ve used 5 pounds of baby back ribs for this recipe.

Brown sugar: Using some brown sugar adds a delicious deep, rich sweetness that’s perfectly balanced with the other spices in the rub. You can use regular brown sugar or dark brown sugar for a richer flavor.

Mrs. Dash seasoning: I love using some Mrs. Dash seasoning to take this dish to the next level! It’s my secret ingredient and it’s a combination of different seasonings such as onion powder, dry mustard, lemon juice powder etc. It will add a delicious depth in terms of flavor!

Paprika: This will add a light flavor of spiciness and heat that compliments the rest of the flavors perfectly. If you’re looking to make your BBQ Baby Back Ribs spicier, check out the variations section below.

Garlic powder: There is just nothing like some garlic in a spice rub. It will make your spice rub absolutely delicious and bring all the flavors together. We’ll be using one teaspoon of it.

Sea salt: We’ll be using some sea salt or kosher salt to lightly season the ribs. I’ve used half a teaspoon but feel free to adjust it to taste.

Black pepper: Pepper will add a slight level of heat and impart a delicious flavor to your ribs.

Ground cumin: I love the combination of some ground cumin with the rest of the seasonings and spices. Cumin has a rich, hearty, and earthy flavor with a little edge of citrus to it. It’s absolutely perfect for this recipe!

Barbecue sauce: You’ll also need 1 ½ cups of your favorite BBQ sauce to coat the ribs before grilling. I’ve used the Sweet Baby Ray’s brand, but you can go for whichever one you like best.

Rimmed baking sheet: You’ll need a nice, rimmed baking sheet to bake the delicious ribs. I’ve used a turkey pan while making this recipe as you can see below.

How to Make BBQ Baby Back Ribs (Step-by-Step)

Making this delicious BBQ Baby Back Ribs is so incredibly easy that you’ll be surprised! Here’s how to make it step by step:

How to Prep Baby Back Ribs

Let’s start by prepping the ribs first. Soak the meaty racks of ribs in the water for half an hour. This will help make them tender.

Next, rinse the meat well and place it into a strainer to allow excess water to drain.

How to Make Spice Rub for Baby Back Ribs

Time to make our delicious and incredibly easy spice rub! Start by measuring out all the dry ingredients.

Next, combine them together in a plate.

How to Marinate Baby Back Ribs

To marinate the ribs with your homemade spice rub, place the racks into a large rectangular Tupperware container. Then, rub the spices onto both sides of the racks.

Next, brush BBQ sauce generously on both sides of the racks. Cover with a lid and let them marinate for 6 hours or overnight for best results.

How to Cook and Grill BBQ Baby Back Ribs

Time to cook our delicious Baby Back Ribs!

Place one rack of baby back ribs onto a large piece of aluminum foil.

Fold over the sides first and then seal the two ends by stapling them together along the edges. This traps in the steam which makes the meat super tender, soft, and juicy.

Now preheat the oven to 275 F (135 C). Place the foil-covered rib racks into a turkey pan rack or a rimmed baking sheet.

Place toothpicks to separate and keep them from sliding or overlapping each other.

Pour 4 cups of boiling water onto the bottom of the pan. Place the pan into the oven and cook for 4 ¼ hours at 275 F (135 C).

Time to grill them! Start by preheating the grill to 350 F (180 C).

After the ribs are finished baking in the oven, remove them from the metal rack and onto a large cutting board.

Next, remove the foil. Handle with care to keep the racks whole, otherwise, the bones will separate from the meat and be difficult to grill.

Make sure to not handle the ribs with hands (or tongs), rather slide the racks as a whole from the cutting board onto the grill, then back onto the board.

NOTE: During cold weather months when I can’t grill, I broil the ribs in the oven for 2 -3 minutes.

Coat with the desired amount of BBQ sauce and grill for 5 minutes per side. Gently slide the ribs off the grill onto the cutting board and then onto a serving plate if you wish or just use the cutting board as a serving platter.

Cut entire racks into separate ribs into strips. Your delicious BBQ Baby Back Ribs are ready to be served!

How to Store Leftover BBQ Baby Back Ribs

You can store your cooked leftover BBQ Back Ribs in an airtight container in the fridge. Alternatively, you can wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before storing them in the fridge.

Properly stored ones can last in the fridge for up to four days. If you want to freeze them, you definitely can. Just wrap them in the same way and freeze them for up to two to three months.

When ready to serve, let them thaw on the counter and then reheat them on the grill or oven.

Flavor Variation Ideas for BBQ Baby Back Ribs

This recipe that I’ve shared with you today is the absolute perfect way to make some delicious baby back ribs at home.

But if you want to customize the flavor, you most certainly can. Here are some ideas you can try out:

Make them spicier: If you want your ribs to be slightly spicier, you can add a little chili powder or cayenne pepper to the rub.

Make it tangier: Mrs. Dash’s seasoning already contains some dry mustard, but you can add some more if you want to make it tangier.

Other ideas: You can also add some other spices and seasonings of your choice including onion powder, some extra garlic powder, etc. Feel free to customize it and make it your own since this recipe is incredibly versatile and goes well with e everything!

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This recipe was originally posted on August 15, 2017, and it has been updated for a better reader experience.