One thing that a family always agree on is that the food is good. At every family cookout, ribs are always a perfect go-to. That is why knowing how to cook ribs on a gas grill in foil is absolutely necessary.
When it comes to grilling ribs, having the perfect rub and barbecue sauce is not enough. It is also ideal for you to ensure that your cooking time is right so that your ribs are all tender and juicy, which basically is what makes it delicious.
Cooking ribs on a gas grill are actually not that complicated, but it can be quite confusing sometimes most especially with the timing. There might also be times when you feel worried about your ribs getting dry, but if you follow this step-by-step guide, you will surely nail it every single time.
What are you waiting for? Get the perfect ribs, make it nice and ready then let’s get grilling.
This Is How To Cook Ribs On Gas Grill In Foil
Before we got on to grilling, you might want to make sure that you pick the perfect ribs. There are actually two kinds of ribs o choose from, the baby back ribs and the spareribs.
The baby back ribs or also known as the pork loin ribs are actually the upper part of the rib that was cut from where the loin is removed. They are shorter hence it is referred to as a baby.
They are also usually way more expensive than spareribs since they are more tender and also very lean. Spareribs, on the other hand, are cut from the belly. They are way flatter and contains more bones and fat which makes them even more flavorful.
These two are perfect for grilling but spareribs cook longer since they are larger. If you do not have much time and have less than four people to feed, baby back ribs are perfect for a casual weekend.
What You Will Need
Dry Seasoning Rub
I personally believe that in order for the ribs to be even more flavorful, it needs to have a rub to back up the barbecue sauce.
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup paprika
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 tablespoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- 1 teaspoon of cayenne
- 1 tablespoon of onion powder
Note – If you want your ribs to have more spice and heat, you can always add some chili powder into the dry rub.
For Grilling
- Ribs
- Aluminum and foil
- Honey
- Barbecue sauce
- Brush
- Apple juice
- Meat thermometer (optional)
What You Need To Do
Step 1 – Prepare The Ribs
Take your ribs out and pat it down with a paper towel. If it is frozen, then make sure you take it out and let it get to room temperature. When it comes to ribs, it is very important for you to make sure that it is trimmed.
You can get your ribs trimmed at the butchers, but you can also do it yourself. Simply take your sharp knife and remove the membrane on the back of the ribs. The membrane is the rubbery thin fat that can prevent your ribs from falling off the bone if it was not removed.
If you decided to use spareribs, it will most likely have a membrane as well s some excess fat and meat hanging on to it. Remove them as well so that they will not get burnt while grilling. You will find them very easy to remove as well so no need to worry about having extreme knife skills.
Step 2 – Rub And Massage
Once your ribs are perfectly trimmed and dry, you may not sprinkle and massage the dry rub. Mix all of the spices together in a small bowl so they are well-incorporated. Start sprinkling some of the dry rubs all over the front and back of the ribs.
Make sure that it is coated so that every part of the ribs has a flavor. I would also recommend giving the ribs a massage so that the rub can be pressed in. Set it aside to let the meat soak all the rub and get your grill ready.
Step 3 – Get Your Gas Grill Ready
While your ribs are getting itself ready for the grill, you have to make sure to preheat your grill to 300 F. It is the ideal temperature that you must maintain so that the ribs can be cooked slowly and perfectly. Before it goes really hot, clean the grill grates and wipe them down with a little bit of oil.
Step 4 – Grill The Ribs
Place your ribs with the bone-side down and let it cook for about 30 minutes or once it is slightly brown. The purpose of this is to get that smokey flavor from the grill. Make sure to close the lid so that the smoke will stay inside at all times.
Once your grill is ready then it is now time to place your ribs. You can now wrap your ribs in aluminum foil but I would suggest wrapping it with two foils instead of it just in case it rips. If the foil rips without you noticing right away and your ribs get exposed, then it could make your ribs dry.
Add a bit of apple juice before wrapping it all up tightly so it stays tender while it grills. Close the lid again and adjust the temperature up to 375 F then let it steam for another 30 minutes. Check if it is completely cooked, but if it is not, then cook it for another 10 or 15 minutes.
Step 5 – Coat The Ribs
Once it is all done, set your grill down to 250 F. Take the ribs out of the foil and place it on the grill again. Get your barbecue sauce and mix a bit of honey into it and adjust it to your liking.
You can also add some spice to your sauce but make sure to not add too much since the ribs already have the flavor from the dry rub. Take your brush and coat the ribs all over.
If you want your ribs to be all sticky then you got to have multiple coating of your barbecue sauce mix.
Step 6 – Rest, Slice, And Serve
Let the sauce soak the ribs for about 5 minutes each side. Once you think it has enough sauce then let it rest before you slice and serve.
That is how easy you can grill your ribs. This is perfect for a casual weekend with your family. Ribs can also be cooked in the oven which can make the ribs even more tender.
However, the slow-cooking process of the oven takes hours but it is ideal if you are doing larger portions. Doing it on the grill is perfect for a warm day out and it gives that smokey flavor for your ribs which the oven cannot do.
Hopefully, you enjoyed going through the easy steps above. Let me know in the comments how your ribs turned out in the grill.
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