Cooking Spare Ribs On The Grill

Fork-tender BBQ Spare Ribs coated in a Cajun dry rub and grilled to perfection with crispy outer edges.

This season has brought so much gratitude into my life. If nothing else, I've learned to appreciate and not take small things for granted. It may sound silly, but I will not take a bag of rice or all- purpose flour for granted, or a box of pasta or bathroom tissue for that matter. Above all, I will not take time with my family for granted. I've cherished this time with my family so much.

This season has been about pantry staples and pasta galore. Let's spice things up a bit, and let's get out in the yard and start grilling.

Today, I'm bringing you a delicious BBQ spare ribs recipe that calls for firing up the grill. Meanwhile, don't forget to check out this Grilled Teriyaki Pork Ribs Recipe too. Also, check out these Grilled Flanken Short Ribs or these Grilled Chicken Wings and let's not forget Grilled Boneless Chicken Thighs.

Grilling season is just around the corner, so we decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and grill outdoors. If you're a meat-eater and love pork, I'm convinced that you'll love this recipe. These smoked flavored ribs are beautifully caramelized and tender with the most robust flavor.

Recipe Ingredients

Pork spare ribs
Kosher salt

*Dry Rub

Garlic powder
Onion Powder
Smoked paprika
Red pepper flakes
Black pepper
Cayenne
Cumin
Dried herb (optional)

*To create the dry rub, combine all the ingredients to a small bowl and stir until all ingredients are combined. Do not add salt to the dry rub.

Recipe Essentials

Outdoor grill - Either gas or charcoal grill (we use a charcoal grill)
Oven for a few additional minutes

How do you prepare spare ribs

Spare ribs are so easy to prepare. You first need to wash the spare ribs in cold water then pat dry with paper towels. Some people remove the membrane from the back of the ribs, but I find that even if you don't you are still left with delicious tender ribs.

Next, season the spare ribs with kosher salt and a generous amount of dry rub on both sides. Place the ribs in a roasting pan or baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap. Marinate the ribs for at least 1 hour up to 24 hours in the fridge.

After marinating the ribs, remove them from the fridge, place them on the countertop and allow them to come to room temperature before you start grilling.

How to grill pork ribs

Before grilling pork ribs, it's important to prep them before hand to get the most robust flavor that'll have your family and friends wanting more. I described this in the section above but I'll reiterate here.

First, wash the slab of pork spare ribs under cold water then pat dry with paper towels. If you're into removing the membrane from the backside, take a paring knife to lift the membrane from one edge of the backside and gently pull it back and discard. You may want to use a paper towel to grip the membrane more easily. Although some people take a few extra minutes to remove the membrane, I do not find it necessary. At this point, use a knife to remove any excess fat and discard.

Season both sides of the slab of ribs with kosher salt and a generous amount of dry rub then gently press the seasoning with your hands into the ribs. Place the slab of ribs onto a roasting pan or baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap and allow the ribs to marinate for at least 1 hour up to 24 hours in the fridge. Remove the ribs from the fridge and allow them to come to room temperature.

Preheat your charcoal grill ( following the steps below: How to Start a Charcoal Grill) then position the slab of ribs onto the grill grates and close the lid. After 30 minutes, turn the slab of ribs over to grill the other side for 30 to 45 minutes. By this time, the ribs should be a beautiful brown color and no longer pink.

Remove the ribs from the grill and place onto a clean roasting pan or baking sheet. Slather on your favorite BBQ sauce if you'd like and place in a preheated 330 degree oven. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes to tenderize the BBQ pork spare ribs even more.

slab of pork spare ribs placed on charcoal grill

pork spare ribs grilling on outdoor grill

How to start a charcoal grill

Remove the grates and open any vents
Pile in the charcoals and arrange across the barrel
Carefully squirt lighter fluid all over the unlit charcoal and let it sit for 10 minutes or so (Please follow directions on the can before applying lighter fluid if you've never used lighter fluid)
Light the charcoals with a match and when the flame dies down put the grill grates back on
Adjust the vents to reach a temperature of 250°F (the target temperature is 250°F; however, the temperature will fluctuate with the opening and closing of the lid, so a temperature between 240°F and 250°F is good)

How long does it take to cook pork spare ribs on the grill

It takes anywhere from 1 hr to 1 hr 15 minutes to cook pork spare ribs on a charcoal grill. Then, place the ribs uncovered in the oven and cook at a low temperature for 20 to 25 minutes to further tenderize the ribs.

slab of grilled pork spare ribs on baking sheet

Recipe Tips

Do not skimp on the dry rub - this adds such an incredible depth of flavor and helps form the crispy outer coating on the ribs
Do not add salt to your dry rub blend (this will allow you to control the amount of salt without having to second guess if you've added to much or too little)
If you're adding BBQ sauce, slather your favorite sauce on at the end

grilled pork spare ribs on cutting board