How to easily (gas) grill the best pork ribs. Includes a deliciously easy pork rub seasoning and a simple mop sauce. No special tools needed.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Iowa Pork Producers Association. All text and opinions are my own.
THE BEST PORK RIBS ON A GAS GRILL
My favorite meat ever will always be pork. Always. From ham, pork chops, pulled pork to delicious pork ribs like this recipe I am sharing today. I grew up near pig farms so it's always been a familiar and comforting food to me. However, I had no idea, until recently that one-third of all the pork raised in the U.S. comes from Iowa! I have a good pork farming friend in Iowa. She has taught me a lot about how her modern family farm works.
VIDEO INCLUDED BELOW:
HOW CAN I SUPPORT FAMILY FARMS?
When you pick up some pork ribs at Walmart or Kroger (or wherever you like to shop) you are more than likely buying pork that was raised in Iowa by a family that has been doing it for generations. How cool is that?! Plus, I think it is super important, as a consumer, to know where my food is coming from and how it is being raised. It's comforting to know that families, who care about us and their animals, are producing this food that I am enjoying. 
HOW TO (EASILY) GAS GRILL THE BEST PORK RIBS EVER!
So now, let's get to this delicious grilled pork rib recipe! I know that grilling pork ribs can seem intimidating. I hesitated to grill ribs for a long time. I just thought there were too many steps and that I needed to learn how to use a smoker or to create some sort of makeshift smoker. All of that is well and good, but it's not absolutely necessary to create delicious, tender, flavorful pork ribs. And yes, you can do it on a gas grill! Just make sure your propane tank is full and I'm gonna show you how you can do this without any fancy tools or tricks. 
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
pork ribs (I usually use baby back ribs)
pork seasoning rub
unsweetened apple juice
orange marmalade (peach preserves or apricot preserves)
apple cider vinegar
large disposable aluminum tray
aluminum foil
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS TO MAKE BBQ PORK RIBS:
Remove pork ribs from the packaging and pat ribs dry with a paper towel. Spray the aluminum pan with nonstick cooking spray or rub with oil. Place ribs into pan. Remove silver skin from the back side of the ribs. Cook's note: This is optional. I like to remove it because it's a tough and rubber-y membrane that can make it a bit more challenging to eat the ribs after they are cooked. It is super easy to remove since it will pull off in one piece. It also helps the pork rub penetrate the meat easier.
Sprinkle some of the pork rub seasoning onto the back of the ribs. It's called 'rub' for a reason. So you want to really get in there and rub and press it in. Note: if you'd like, you can cut the rack of ribs in half to make it easier to handle on the grill later. 
Flip the ribs over and season the opposite side. The rule of thumb with rub seasoning is however much naturally sticks to the ribs is enough. Whatever falls off after rubbing it in can be discarded. Pour apple juice into the bottom of the pan. Cover pan with aluminum foil and place into the fridge until your grill is ready. 
We are gonna be cooking these ribs at a low temperature for over an hour. So make sure your propane tank is full or that you have another tank on standby, just in case. 
Preheat grill to 300f degrees. It's important to try to maintain this temperature through the cooking process so your ribs don't cook too fast. I have 3 burners and I will usually keep the middle burner off and just keep the two end burners on low so it's a nice, low, indirect heat for the ribs.
Clean the grill grates and carefully wipe them down with a bit of oil (you'll need nice, clean, nonstick grates a little later.) Place pan of ribs onto grill. Cover grill and cook for about an hour (maintaining 300f degrees during the cooking process.) You may need up to 2 hours for these ribs so plan accordingly (especially if you are having difficulty keeping the temperature at a consistent temperature.) 
Ribs are safe to eat when an inserted meat thermometer (into the thickest part of the meat - away from the bone) reaches 145f degrees. But by cooking it low and slow for a longer amount of time, the ribs will end up reaching a temperature closer to 180f -190f degrees and that creates a more tender meat. Carefully remove ribs from the pan and place directly on the grill. Ensure heat stays on low. Meanwhile, in a small pot over medium heat, whisk together marmalade and vinegar. Continue to whisk until it's combined well. This should only take a minute or two. You can do this on the grill if you have a side burner attached to your grill.
Take pot off heat and baste the cooked ribs with the marmalade sauce. Make sure to coat it well. 
Cover grill and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Then repeat the process one more time. 
Carefully remove the ribs off the grill and place on a large cutting board and allow the meat to rest and cool for a few minutes.
With a sharp knife, carefully cut the ribs between the bones and serve!
Homemade Pork Seasoning Rub:
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup smoked paprika
1 tablespoon coarse ground black pepper
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 teaspoon cayenne
CRAVING MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS? GIVE THESE A TRY!
THE BEST SMOKED PORK TENDERLOIN
INSTANT POT COUNTRY STYLE RIBS
INSTANT POT PULLED PORK BBQ
THE BEST GRILLED CHICKEN MARINADE
GRILLED ITALIAN LEMON GARLIC CHICKEN
3-INGREDIENT SAUSAGE ROLLS
How to (Gas) Grill The Best Pork Ribs - Easy Method
Ingredients
- 1 rack baby back pork ribs
- ½ cup pork seasoning rub (see below for a recipe)
- 1 cup unsweetened apple juice
- ½ cup orange marmalade (peach preserves or apricot preserves)
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 large disposable aluminum tray
- aluminum foil
Instructions
- Remove pork ribs from the packaging and pat ribs dry with a paper towel. Spray the aluminum pan with nonstick cooking spray or rub with oil. Place ribs into pan. Remove silver skin from the back side of the ribs.
- Sprinkle some of the pork rub seasoning onto the back of the ribs. It's called 'rub' for a reason. So you want to really get in there and rub and press it in. Note: if you'd like, you can cut the rack of ribs in half to make it easier to handle on the grill later.
- Flip the ribs over and season the opposite side. The rule of thumb with rub seasoning is however much naturally sticks to the ribs is enough. Whatever falls off after rubbing it in can be discarded. Pour apple juice into the bottom of the pan. Cover pan with aluminum foil and place into the fridge until your grill is ready.
- Preheat grill to 300f degrees. It's important to try to maintain this temperature through the cooking process so your ribs don't cook too fast. I have 3 burners and I will usually keep the middle burner off and just keep the two end burners on low so it's a nice, low, indirect heat for the ribs.
- Clean the grill grates and carefully wipe them down with a bit of oil (you'll need nice, clean, nonstick grates a little later.) Place pan of ribs onto grill. Cover grill and cook for about an hour (maintaining 300f degrees during the cooking process.) You may need up to 2 hours for these ribs so plan accordingly (especially if you are having difficulty keeping the temperature at a consistent temperature.)
- Ribs are done when an inserted meat thermometer (into the thickest part of the meat - away from the bone) reaches 145f degrees. Carefully remove ribs from the pan and place directly on the grill. Ensure heat stays on low.
- Meanwhile, in a small pot over medium heat, whisk together marmalade and vinegar. Continue to whisk until it's combined well. This should only take a minute or two. You can do this on the grill if you have a side burner attached to your grill.
- Take pot off heat and baste the cooked ribs with the marmalade sauce. Make sure to coat it well.
- Cover grill and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Then repeat the process one more time. Carefully remove the ribs off the grill and place on a large cutting board and allow the meat to rest and cool for a few minutes.
- With a sharp knife, carefully cut the ribs between the bones and serve!
Video
Notes
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup smoked paprika
1 tablespoon coarse ground black pepper
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 teaspoon cayenne
Nutrition
Quick and delicious! Thank you!
I’ve never made ribs before and did not want to try an overly complicated recipe. As my sons said, this was by far the best dinner they’ve ever had! The recipe was simple, the steps were super easy to follow and more importantly, these ribs were absolutely DELICIOUS! I used 2 racks and topped one off with some Carolina Gold sauce. I will definitely be making these again!
Oh wow - thank you Kayla!! I'll be honest, I love when other women come back and comment on my grilling recipes. Women grill too, right? LOL. Thanks so much for taking the time to come back and let me know it got the thumbs up at your house!!