Beef ribs are a delicious juicy cut of meat that are perfect for grilling. When cooked properly on the grill beef ribs become incredibly tender and flavorful. But grilling beef ribs takes precision and patience to get them just right. Here’s a detailed guide on how long it takes to grill beef ribs to finger-licking perfection.
What Type of Beef Ribs to Choose
There are a few different cuts of beef ribs that can be used for grilling:
-
Back ribs – This is the most common cut of beef ribs used for grilling, The ribs are cut from the rib section near the backbone, Back ribs have the most meat on them,
-
Short ribs – Short ribs come from the plate section of the cow. They have less meat and more fat than back ribs.
-
Flanken-style ribs – These are cut across the bone into thin slices. Flanken ribs cook faster than other beef rib cuts.
For grilling, beef back ribs are the best choice. They contain the most meat, have great beefy flavor, and hold up well on the grill. Look for ribs with deep red meat and a nice marbling of fat throughout.
How Many Ribs Per Person
When planning how many ribs to make, a good rule of thumb is:
- 2 racks of back ribs (16 ribs total) will feed 4-5 people
Since beef ribs contain a good amount of bone, plan on around 3-4 ribs per average adult serving. It’s better to have a few extra than not enough!
Grill Temp for Beef Ribs
275°F indirect heat is ideal for getting beef ribs perfectly tender. This low and slow temperature gently breaks down the collagen in the meat over time.
The ribs shouldn’t be over direct heat the entire time or they’ll burn. Cook them indirectly and add some char at the end if desired.
How Long to Grill Beef Ribs
The total grilling time for beef back ribs is 2-3 hours depending on thickness. This time will tenderize them completely without drying them out.
Here are more details on the grilling process:
-
Season the ribs: Apply a dry rub, salt, pepper and/or any other seasonings. Allow them to sit for 10-20 minutes before grilling.
-
Indirect grilling: Place the ribs on the cool side of the grill, away from direct heat. Close the lid. Cook for 2-2 1/2 hours, until meat reaches 195°F.
-
Brush with sauce (optional): During the last 30 minutes of grilling, brush with your favorite barbecue sauce for flavor and color.
-
Char and finish: In the last 10-15 minutes, move the ribs directly over the heat to char and caramelize the outside. Brush with more sauce if desired.
-
Rest: Let ribs rest about 5 minutes before cutting and serving.
Grill Times for Other Types of Beef Ribs
-
Short ribs: Braise these on the grill at 300°F indirect heat for 2 1/2 – 3 hours until fork tender.
-
Flanken-style ribs: Cook these over direct medium heat for just 60-90 minutes, flipping occasionally.
How to Tell When Beef Ribs Are Done
Checking temperature and using a fork are the best ways to test doneness:
-
Temperature method: Use an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the ribs. Beef ribs are done between 195°F – 205°F.
-
Fork tender method: Stick a fork straight down into the meat between the bones. If it slides in and out without resistance, the ribs are fully cooked and tender.
-
Visual test: The meat will have shrunk back from the ends of the bones slightly when fully cooked.
Expert Tips for Grilling Juicy Beef Ribs
Follow these tips for extra flavorful, fall-off-the-bone tender grilled beef ribs:
-
Choose well-marbled ribs for moisture and flavor.
-
Remove the thin membrane from the bone side of the ribs for tenderness.
-
Apply a spice rub up to 24 hours before grilling to deeply season the meat.
-
During indirect cooking, place ribs bone-side down on the grill to protect the meat.
-
Keep the grill temp low, 275°F, and grill for 2-3 hours to fully break down connective tissue.
-
Avoid turning the ribs often to prevent moisture loss. Turn only every 45-60 minutes.
-
Brush with sauce during the last 30 minutes only to prevent burning.
-
Let ribs rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting for juicy results.
Oven Method for Beef Ribs
If you don’t have a grill, you can also make tender oven-baked beef ribs:
-
Season the ribs as desired. Place bone-side down on a rimmed baking sheet.
-
Roast at 300°F for 2-2 1/2 hours until fork tender.
-
Brush ribs with sauce during last 20-30 minutes of roasting.
-
Increase oven temp to 450°F. Roast 5 minutes more to caramelize sauce.
-
Let ribs rest 10 minutes before serving.
Make-Ahead and Leftover Beef Ribs
You can cook beef ribs ahead of time with great results:
-
Grill or bake the ribs until completely tender. Let cool.
-
Wrap tightly and refrigerate up to 3 days.
-
To reheat, unwrap ribs and place on a baking sheet. Cover with foil.
-
Warm in a 300°F oven for 20-30 minutes until heated through.
-
Serve with extra warmed barbecue sauce for moisture.
Leftover beef ribs also store well for a few days and can be reheated in the same way. The low, slow cooking yields incredibly tender meat that won’t dry out when warmed up later.
Incredible Grilled Beef Ribs
With the right grill temps, techniques, and cook times, you can make unbelievable barbecued beef ribs at home. Just be sure to give them plenty of time over gentle heat. In about 2-3 hours, you’ll have tender, juicy, smoky ribs that will be the star of your backyard barbecue.
How Many Ribs Do I Need Per Person?
Two racks of beef back ribs typically serves 4-5 people. There are 8 ribs per rack, so that works out to 3-4 ribs per person. That may sound like a large portion, 3-4 of those big, chunky ribs. But there’s a lot of bone to these, and less meat. Note that if your store sells the beef ribs individually cut instead of in racks, you’ll want 16 ribs.
How To Grill Beef Ribs
For amazingly tender meat that will fall off the bone, and some delicious smoky flavor, cooking low-and-slow on the grill is the way to go. If you would prefer to cook them in the oven, scroll down for those instructions.
Start by prepping your grill and heating one side of it on low heat, about 275°F. Remove any membranes and excess fat from the ribs and cut them into individual ribs. Sprinkle salt evenly over the ribs.
Cook the beef back ribs over indirect heat by placing them on the side of the grill that is not heated. Close the grill and cook for two hours. After two hours, brush the ribs with barbecue sauce if you’d like. Continue cooking until the meat can easily be pulled off the bone, 30-60 minutes more. Let them rest for five minutes and then it’s time to dig in!
Note: If you like a bit more char on your ribs, you can turn up the grill to high at the end of the cook time. Transfer the ribs over to the direct heat and cook for just 2-3 minutes per side at the very end. Then take them off and let them rest as usual.
Cook the Perfect Juicy Beef Ribs Every Time | Dino Ribs
FAQ
How long does it take to grill ribs?
Cook ribs on the preheated grill, adding water every hour if liquid has evaporated, 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes. Add barbecue sauce to ribs and continue cooking for 30 minutes more. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 145 degrees F (63 degrees C).May 31, 2024
What is the 3-3-3 rule for ribs?
For epic Traeger 321 ribs, learn this full-proof smoking method from the pros. Smoke ’em for 3 hours, wrap ’em for 2, and throw them back on the grill in sauce for a final hour.
How long to cook beef ribs wrapped in foil on a grill?
Place the ribs on the grill over direct medium heat and cook for 1 hour, with the lid closed, occasionally turning the packets over for even cooking, making sure not to pierce the foil. 6. Remove the packets of ribs from the grill and let rest for about 10 minutes.
How do you keep beef ribs moist on the grill?
The phrase “low and slow” is key—cooking ribs at a low temperature over a long period allows the connective tissues to break down, resulting in juicy, tender …Sep 19, 2024