When it comes to throwing a backyard barbecue, ribs are one of the most popular menu choices. There’s good reason for that: ribs are juicy, tender and flavourful. They can also be surprisingly easy to cook if you follow the right tips and techniques. The problem is that many people end up serving rather dry and stringy ribs because they don’t know what they’re doing with them. It takes some practice to master the art of cooking great ribs, but once you get the hang of it, you can enjoy them regularly without fear of serving sub-par versions ever again. Here we look at some great tips for making perfect ribs every time so that your guests will be begging you to throw another backyard barbecue sooner rather than later...
Preparing the ribs
First things first, you need to make sure that you’re starting with excellent ribs. While there are some tricks that you can use to make almost any type of ribs taste better, there are some types of ribs that are just poorly made and aren’t worth the effort. Make sure to choose ribs that are fresh and come from a reputable source if you want your ribs to taste great. You can also season your ribs before you cook them. This gives the seasoning time to work its way into the meat and make it even more flavourful. Seasoned ribs are especially great if you’re hosting a large party where many people will be eating the ribs. Seasoned ribs are easier to chew and less messy to eat than unseasoned ribs, so they’re great for a big event.
No time to prepare? Our ribs come pre-seasoned with our delicious honey velveted BBQ sauce, head on over to our shop to pick out your perfect hamper for your next upcoming BBQ fiesta!
The barbecue
Depending on the type of ribs you’re cooking, the temperatures and cooking times may vary slightly. The basic guidelines are to preheat the barbecue to 200°c, place the ribs on the barbecue, close the lid and cook for an hour, turning the ribs every 15 minutes, until they have a nice dark colour. You can also cook ribs in the oven, but they won’t be quite as tender and flavourful as when you cook them over charcoal or gas. The general rule of thumb is to cook the ribs at 180°c for about one hour.
Cooking the ribs
A lot of people don’t realise that the long, slow cooking time for ribs is crucial for making them taste great. The low temperatures are what allow the ribs to become tender and juicy. Many novice barbecuers will attempt to cook ribs at a high temperature from the start, which leads to tough, chewy ribs that nobody wants to eat. Remember that ribs do take time to cook properly, so make sure to set your alarm and don’t rush the process. It’s a good idea to baste your ribs while they’re cooking. A basting sauce can add extra flavour and moisture to the ribs and help them to cook more evenly. Some people also choose to wrap their ribs in foil while they’re cooking. This allows the meat to cook more gently, which is especially important with pork ribs that are more delicate than beef ribs.
Wrapping up
There are as many different ways to make ribs as there are people who cook them. You can experiment and find out what works best for you. You might need to do a few batches before you get the timing and temperature just right, but with practice, you can make ribs that are tender, juicy and bursting with flavour. Once you have the perfect rib recipe and technique, you’ll be able to enjoy ribs whenever you like without having to spend hours at the kitchen stove.