6 Do’s and 2 Don’ts of Cooking Ribs

Gone are the days that men ruled the grill and women, the kitchen. It’s the 21st century, and ladies can be grill masters *just* as much as guys can. Yes, that even goes for the always intimidating rack of ribs. With the proper grilling tools and an arsenal of tips and hacks, you’ll be teaching everyone your rib-savvy ways in no time. Whether you opt for a dry rub or wet marinade, smoked or oven-baked, these do’s and don’ts will make you a pro just in time for all of your summer BBQs.

Do think outside of the grill

Don’t tell your grill, but the Instant Pot is the best way to ensure your ribs are falling off the bone. If you just have to have that charred flavor, cook them mostly in the pressure cooker and finish on the grill. (Tip + Recipe via Heather Likes Food)

Do opt for a dry rub

No matter if you decide to finish your ribs with a BBQ sauce or not, a dry rub is the key to the most flavorful meat. Try making a huge batch of this homemade rub, and you can gift it or have it on-hand for your grilling adventures all summer. (Tip + Recipe via Crafty Recipes)

Don’t be afraid of ditching the BBQ sauce

Everyone loves classic BBQ ribs, but it’s fun to switch things up from time to time. Try coming up with your own fun sauce or use these Asian-inspired ribs as a guide. (Tip + Recipe via Noshing With the Nolands)

Do keep the temperature low and slow

Whether you’re using your smoker or baking them in the oven, ribs should typically be cooked at 300 degrees or lower for a longer period of time. You can’t rush perfection, people. (Tip + Recipe via Butter Your Biscuit)

Do marinate your ribs

It might sound crazy, but soda makes a killer marinade for your ribs. If you want to go a more natural route, try cold-pressed apple juice or even a bit of booze to tenderize and flavor the meat. (Tip + Recipe via Framed Cooks)

Do remove the silver skin

Getting rid of that pesky membrane will allow for your flavorings to penetrate the meat and yield a more tender result. If you’re unsure of how to do it, check out this easy tutorial from a seasoned professional. (Tip + Recipe via Nerds With Knives)

Do use

. TBH, you’ll probably be thanking those rain clouds. Slow cooker ribs couldn’t be easier, and you’ll be dealing with less cleanup than usual. Now, sit back with a glass of wine while your favorite appliance does all the work. (Tip + Recipe via Carlsbad Cravings)

Don’t skip the 3-2-1 method for smoking

Veteran pitmasters want to let you in on a little secret. The 3-2-1 method of smoking ribs gets you competition-worthy results every single time. If you have a smoker, this is your time to shine. (Tip + Recipe via Vindulge)