Ingredients:
- 2 lbs bone-in pork ribs (baby back or spare ribs)
- 1/4 cup BBQ dry rub (your favorite blend)
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (preferably smoky or tangy)
- 2 tbsp butter (for griddle cooking)
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (for moisture)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Wood chips for added smoke flavor (hickory or applewood)
Instructions:
1. Get the Arteflame Ready
First things first, fire up the Arteflame grill. Use the paper napkin method—pour vegetable oil on three napkins, place them on the grill, stack firewood on top, and light it up. In 20 minutes, your grill will be at the perfect temperature to start grilling.
For a classic BBQ experience, add some soaked wood chips to your fire to infuse a natural smoky flavor.
2. Season the Ribs
While the grill heats up, generously rub your ribs with a BBQ dry rub of your choice. Make sure the rub coats every side of the ribs to bring out those rich BBQ flavors. Let them sit at room temperature while the grill reaches its peak heat.
3. Sear on the Center Grill Grate
Once your Arteflame grill reaches around 1000°F in the center, place the ribs on the middle grate. Sear them for about 4-5 minutes on each side to create a beautiful caramelized crust that locks in the juices.
4. Slow Cook on the Flat Griddle
After the ribs are seared, move them to the cooler zone of the flat cooktop griddle. Brush them with a bit of apple cider vinegar to keep them moist as they cook slowly. Cover the ribs with BBQ sauce, using a basting brush for an even coating, and allow them to cook for another 30-40 minutes, flipping occasionally and basting with more sauce.
This slow-cook method on the griddle allows the ribs to become tender and juicy without burning or drying out.
5. Check for Tenderness
To know when your ribs are done, use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of about 195°F. This ensures that the meat is tender and fall-off-the-bone delicious. You can also use the "bend test"—if the ribs bend easily when picked up with tongs, they’re ready!
6. Rest and Serve
Remove the ribs from the grill and let them rest for 10 minutes. This lets the juices redistribute throughout the meat, making them incredibly tender. Slice between the bones and serve with an extra slathering of BBQ sauce.
Grilling Tips:
- Wood Chips for Smoke: Adding wood chips to the fire gives your ribs that authentic BBQ smoke flavor, making it taste like the best BBQ joint around!
- Slow Cooking for Tender Meat: Use the outer edges of the flat top for lower heat to cook the ribs low and slow, creating tender, flavorful meat.
- Apple Cider Vinegar for Moisture: This little trick keeps the ribs juicy while cooking, so they don’t dry out on the grill.
5 Recipe Variations:
- Spicy Jalapeño BBQ Ribs: Mix jalapeño slices into your BBQ sauce for a spicy kick.
- Honey Bourbon BBQ Ribs: Add a splash of bourbon and honey to your BBQ sauce for a sweet and smoky flavor.
- Maple Glazed Ribs: Brush the ribs with maple syrup during cooking for a sweet glaze.
- Asian-Style BBQ Ribs: Use hoisin sauce and soy sauce instead of traditional BBQ sauce, and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
- Citrus-Herb BBQ Ribs: Add orange zest and fresh thyme to your dry rub for a zesty, fragrant BBQ flavor.
Perfect Pairings:
- Grilled vegetables like asparagus and bell peppers
- Cornbread with honey butter
- Mac and cheese cooked on the flat top
- Tangy coleslaw with apple cider vinegar
Conclusion:
You don’t need to search for "BBQ near me" when you’ve got the ultimate tool in your backyard—the Arteflame grill. This recipe for BBQ ribs combines searing heat and slow-cooked tenderness, giving you the perfect balance of caramelization and smoky flavor. Whether you’re hosting a BBQ party or just cooking for the family, this will quickly become your go-to BBQ recipe.
