There are multiple recipes for making grilled ribs. Some involve using wood chips to flavor and smoke the meat, while others prefer a special mix of spices. Whatever your favorite is, knowing the main basic techniques will be of enormous help. Follow these steps to grill them perfectly.
Steps
Step 1. Decide what kind of ribs you want to grill
There are two types of ribs, but there are substantial differences between the two cuts.
- Those located in the upper part of the rib cage. They vary in length between 7 and 15 cm and have more flesh than the others.
- Those located in the lower part of the rib cage. Meat is often more tender than others because they contain a higher percentage of fat.
Step 2. Prepare them for cooking
- Cut off the excess fabric and throw it away;
- Rinse the ribs in cold water to remove any residue;
- Spread the spices on both sides. You can create a custom dressing with brown sugar, black and white pepper and other spices to your taste or buy one ready-made at the supermarket;
- Massage the spice mixture into the meat and place it on a plate;
- Cover the ribs with aluminum foil and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Step 3. Choose your favorite smoke wood chips
Cherry, alder, oak and ash are ideal for characterizing pork and veal.
Step 4. Soak the wood chips in water for about thirty minutes
If you have a gas barbecue, use small chips. For a charcoal barbecue, use larger pieces of wood.
Step 5. Heat the grill
The meat should cook slowly so that it softens properly. Follow the procedure for the type of barbecue used:
- Gas: creates an indirect heat source by lighting only half of the burners. Place the wood chips in a barbecue smoker and place it between the flames and the surface of the grill.
- Charcoal: When creating ash, move the charcoal to one side of the barbecue. Place 2 or 3 pieces of smoke wood over the charcoal. Add a small baking dish, filled with about 2.5cm of water, to the cold side of the barbecue. The steam created will keep the meat soft and succulent.
Step 6. Grill the ribs
Be very careful when cooking and don't lose sight of the ribs, especially if you're using a classic charcoal barbecue. Adjusting the heat may not be easy and different recipes have different cooking times. Here's how to tell if the ribs are cooked:
- Meat thermometer: the ribs, once ready, should reach 82 ° C. Often, however, due to the thin thickness of the meat, it can be difficult to obtain an accurate temperature reading.
- Visible: the ribs should reach a golden color and a slightly crunchy texture.
- Softness test: lift the central part of the ribs with kitchen tongs; if the meat detaches from the bones and breaks, it means that it is ready.
Step 7. Brush the ribs with barbecue sauce
Extend the cooking for another 10 minutes to give the meat time to flavor.
