How to Cook Ribs

Learn how to cook ribs and you’ll be the hero who makes the star dish of every event—from summer cookouts to cool-weather tailgating parties. Here’s the game plan: Make these rookie-friendly Easy BBQ Ribs, pull up a chair and read the tips below while you eat. There’s also a ribs 101 video to watch, and a wide-ranging variety of ribs recipes to choose from when you’re ready to make more. If your plan is to start outdoors, check out these marinating and grilling tips for steak, seafood and chicken (as well as ribs). And if you’d prefer to keep it indoors, take a look through our slow-cooker recipe collection.

Different Types of Ribs

There are many types of ribs, including beef short ribs, pork spareribs and pork baby back ribs (also called pork loin ribs).
Baby back ribs are less meaty than spareribs. Each slab typically weighs between 1-1/4 to 2-1/4 lb.
Beef short ribs have layers of fat and meat and are usually cooked slowly in the oven. Try this ethnic-inspired entrée, Korean Beef Short Ribs
Spareribs are somewhat meatier and come from the lower portion of the ribs and breastbone of a hog. Each slab ranges from 2 to 4 lb.

How to Prep Ribs for Grilling

Ribs have a membrane on the bone side that should be removed before cooking for easy eating and to allow marinades to penetrate the meat.
When grilling ribs, keep your grill in tip-top shape with our BBQ Tips.
Get ready for grilling season with these Essential BBQ Utensils.
Before cooking ribs, marinate them in KRAFT Dressing in the fridge for up to 24 hours to add delicious flavor and help tenderize them before cooking.
Before cooking ribs, rub them with a dry spice rub for a perfect way to add flavor to leaner ribs, such as baby back ribs.

How to Grill Ribs

When grilling ribs, think “low and slow!” Grill ribs slowly on medium heat to avoid burning and to help keep them tender.
When grilling ribs, plan on a cooking time of 1 hour to 1 hour 30 min., depending on the size and type of ribs used.
To speed up the cooking time when grilling ribs, simmer the ribs in boiling water for 20 min. before adding them to the grill. Then, brush ribs with your favorite KRAFT or BULL’S-EYE Barbecue Sauce and grill 10 to 15 min. or until sauce is caramelized, turning and brushing occasionally with additional sauce.
When grilling ribs, the indirect method of cooking is the best method to use. This means the ribs are not cooked directly over the heat source. If using a gas grill, turn on only one side of the grill. Or, if using a charcoal grill, push the charcoals to one side of the grill. The covered grill then acts like an oven.
For a complete step-by-step video on how to grill ribs, click here
Try these tasty recipes for pork ribs:

How to Cook Ribs in the Oven

When cooking ribs in the oven, place ribs on rack of a broiler pan. Brush with KRAFT or BULL’S-EYE Barbecue Sauce, then bake at 350°F for 1 hour 15 min. or until ribs are done, turning and brushing occasionally with additional barbecue sauce.
Ribs are not just for grilling. Try our recipe for Braised Ribs for a simple recipe for cooking ribs on top of the stove.