How to Cook Ribs On a Gas Grill

How to Cook Ribs On a Gas Grill

The art of cooking ribs on a grill is one that every grillmaster will want to learn and put on their menu at home. No meat comes close to tasting like a set of well-cooked pork ribs. From how they’re grilled to preparing the rib’s seasoning and sauce, there is a lot that goes into preparing this dish.

Fortunately, you don’t need any special tools. It’s all about feeling and good judgment. Here is how to cook ribs on a gas grill the right way.

1. Don’t be intimidated

Many people steer clear of grilling ribs because there are a few extra steps compared to preparing burgers, chicken, and other dishes. Rest assured, though, that anyone can learn the ins and outs of making delicious, tender, and flavorful grilled ribs.

A gas grill is perfect for this. Make sure your propane tank is full and set aside an afternoon for your first adventure with homemade BBQ ribs.

2. Make a pork seasoning rub

First things first. Before touching your grill, you must make a BBQ pork rib seasoning. There are many recipes online but if you don’t know where to start, here’s a very basic pork seasoning rub you can assemble.

  • 1/2 cup of brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup of smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp of ground black pepper
  • 1 tbsp of kosher salt
  • 1 tbsp of garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp of onion powder
  • 1 tsp of cayenne

3. Prepare your pork ribs

Set aside your pork seasoning and remove your pork ribs from their packaging. You will want to dry them with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Then, lay them in an aluminum pan that you’ve rubbed with oil or coated with a non-stick cooking spray.

You may or may not want to remove the silver skin from the back side of the ribs. By removing it, generally, you’ll find it’s easier for your rub to penetrate the meat and easier to eat.

4. Apply lots of seasoning

Next, apply your BBQ ribs seasoning onto the back of the ribs. Sprinkle it on, and then rub and press it in. When it’s coated, flip the ribs over and season the other side. You don’t need anything fancy to get the seasoning to stick to the meat.

When done, pour some apple juice into the bottom of the pan and cover it with aluminum foil. Place it in the fridge and prepare your grill now.

5. Set your grill for ribs

You will be grilling pork ribs for over 1 hour at a low temperature. Make sure you have a high-quality gas barbecue. Preheat your grill to 300 degrees. This is the temperature to maintain. You don’t want to cook the ribs too quickly.

If you have multiple burners that make up your gas grill, you may not want to use them all. Throughout this process, controlling the temperature is a must. Once ready, place your aluminum pan with the ribs on your BBQ gas grill.

6. Cook ribs on a grill

Place your ribs on the grill. Cover the grill and cook for 1 hour. Check it with an inserted meat thermometer. Stick it into the thickest part of the meat, and they’ve done once it’s reached 180-190 degrees. After 1 hour, it may not have gotten there. That’s normal. It may take another hour. Rib meat is safe to eat after reaching an internal temperature of 145 degrees, but the 180-190 mark is where the meat is most tender and tastiest. You only get there by grilling low and slow across a long period.

7. Place Ribs Directly On The Grill

At that 1-2 hour mark, when the ribs are done, remove them from the pan and place them directly on the grill. The heat should stay low. At the same time, start a small pot over medium heat. In it, combine orange marmalade and apple cider vinegar. It should take a minute or two to whisk together well.

When ready, baste the cooked ribs with the marmalade sauce. Coat it well and cover the grill. Cook everything for an additional five minutes. Then, baste the ribs, cover the grill, and give it another five minutes.

8. Remove the ribs from the gas grill

At this point, you are done cooking the ribs. Remove them off your gas grill. Place on a cutting board. Let them cool for a few minutes. Carefully cut the ribs between the bones and serve.

As you’ll find, cooking ribs on a gas grill takes time but is relatively straightforward once you get the hang of it. It can also be fun customizing the marmalade and the seasoning and discovering unique flavourings you can make at home.

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