How to Cook Pork Ribs on a Gas Grill - Cooked low and slow on a gas grill in an hour, these ribs have all the flavor of smoked ribs without a smoker. This post will walk you through the steps to cook Whole30 pork ribs on a gas grill. The recipe also includes oven directions and a flavorful Whole30 dry rub for your grilled ribs.
We’ve been eating a lot of ribs lately. I’m currently testing a coffee rib rub, so that means lots of sampling. The spice blend I’m working on is tasty but needs a little extra something. Sugar is a common ingredient in most rib rubs, but a lot of blends are too sweet. I’m currently trying to find a nice balance of coffee, spice, and sweetness. More testing is needed - I’m sure Huck will not complain.
Today’s cooking method and dry rub need no additional testing. These ribs are delicious all on their own.
How to Cook Pork Ribs on a Gas Grill?
Cooking pork ribs on the grill is an easy alternative to a smoker. With the use of indirect heat, the meat cooks in less time than on a smoker.
Set the Gas Grill
The first step is to make sure you have enough propane! You do not want to run out halfway through the cooking process. Next, you’ll want to get the temperature of the grill to 300 degrees.
I have a 6-burner grill and found that I only need to use two burners to come to 300 degrees. With three burners on, I’m close to 400 degrees, and one was a little over 200. Experiment with your grill to determine which setting to use.
Start with one or two burners and go up as needed. It’s easier to raise the temp of the grill but takes longer to lower it. I used the thermometer on the grill and had the temp dialed in within 10 minutes.
Use the outside or side burners, and place the ribs on the opposite sides of flames. Indirect heat allows the ribs to cook evenly. If you place the ribs over the flame, they'll start to sear instead of slowly cook.
Preparing the Pork Ribs
Preparing the ribs only takes a few minutes. Baby back ribs are meatier and have less fat and our preferred choice. St. Louis or spare ribs may require a little extra time to cook if they're thicker.
First, you’ll want to dry the ribs with paper towels to remove any moisture and remove the silver skin from the back of the ribs. This step is optional, but the membrane can be tough, and it’s really simple to remove. It provides a nicer texture to the ribs. This is a great video on how to remove the silver skin.
Next, season the ribs generously. Start by sprinkling on the spices and pat into the meat. You’ll want all the sides covered in seasoning, shaking off any excess. Place on a piece of heavy-duty foil and refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight. Allowing the ribs to marinate longer will increase the flavor, but I’ve made these without marinating, and they're still delicious.
Remove the ribs from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to allow the meat to come to room temp. Fold the foil around the ribs and add ¼ cup apple juice to the packet before sealing. Place the foil pack on the grill for 1 hour without opening the foil - watch the temperature to ensure it is not going up or down.
After an hour, open the foil to check the ribs. Cooked ribs will start to pull back from the bone, and the internal temp will be over 180 degrees. {Pork is ready at 145 degrees, but the ribs cook to a higher temp to allow the breakdown of the tough tissues - this is how the meat becomes tender}. Another way to test the ribs for doneness is to twist one of the bones. If it starts to break away from the flesh, they're ready. If additional time is needed, fold the foil back over the ribs and continue cooking.
Once cooked through and tender, remove the ribs and foil from the grill - saving the juice. Increase the grill temp to high and turn on any additional burners. If using BBQ sauce, coat the ribs generally and place them back on the grill directly over the heat. Cook for 5-10 minutes per side or until the BBQ sauce is browned and sticky. Flip the ribs halfway through to cook both sides.
If using the dry rub only, save the juice from the foil. Brush the liquid on the ribs and cook as stated above to crisp the outside. Brush with additional liquid to keep the ribs moist.
Once removed from the grill, allow to cool for 10 minutes before slicing.
Whole30 Dry Rib Rub
This simple dry rib rub provides a nice smokey/spicy flavor to the ribs.
Ingredients needed:
- Sea Salt
- Granulated Garlic
- Smoked Paprika {Regular will work, but the smoked paprika adds a nice smokey flavor to the meat}
- Chili Powder
- Onion Powder
- Coriander Powder
- Black Pepper
One tablespoon of brown sugar can be added to the dry rub for sweetness. Omit if Whole30 or Paleo. One tablespoon of honey can also be warmed and spread over the meat before adding the spice blend.
How to Serve the Whole30 Pork Ribs
Serve the ribs with a refreshing Broccoli Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing or Grilled Green Beans and a Greek Salad.
Baby Bake Ribs Cooked in the oven
To make these ribs in the oven, follow all the directions above for seasoning the ribs. Preheating the oven to 300 degrees and place the ribs on a foil-lined baking sheet - uncovered. Bake for 1 - ⅕ hours or until thoroughly cooked. Once tender, remove from the oven and turn on the broiler. If using BBQ sauce, coat and place under the broiler until the sauce is caramelized and crispy, but not burned! Do not walk away from the stove during this time. The ribs will burn in no time!
Make-Ahead and Storing
The ribs can be prep ahead of time and left in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook. Once ready, place the foil packet on the grill and cook as directed above.
Store leftover ribs in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The skin will become soggy in the fridge, so I recommend reheating in the oven or an air fryer. Preheat the oven to 350 and cook for 10 minutes or until warm. For the air fryer, cook for 5-7 minutes at 400 degrees. You can warm leftovers in the microwave if you prefer.
Like this recipe? Don't forget to Pin it! Also, check out our Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube Channel for cooking demos and more. Plus you can also see what I am pinning on Pinterest for more Whole30 and Paleo recipe ideas!
How to Cook Pork Ribs on a Gas Grill
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Cooked low and slow on a gas grill in an hour, these ribs have all the flavor of smoked ribs without a smoker. This post will walk you through the steps to cook Whole30 pork ribs on a gas grill. The recipe also includes oven directions and a flavorful Whole30 dry rub for your grilled ribs.
Ingredients
Whole30 Dry Rub
- 1 tablespoon Sea Salt
- 1 tablespoon Granulated Garlic
- 1 tablespoon Smoked Paprika
- ½ tablespoon Ground Black Pepper
- ½ tablespoon Chili Powder
- ½ tablespoon Onion Powder
- ½ tablespoon Coriander
Ribs
- 1 rack Baby Back Ribs
- ¼ cup Whole30 Dry Rub
- ¼ cup Apple Juice*
- ¼ cup BBQ Sauce - Optional*
Instructions
Whole30 Dry Rub
- Combine all the ingredients and store in an airtight container.
Ribs
- Remove ribs from package and pat dry. Remove the silver skin from the back of the ribs.
- Coat the ribs with dry rub on all sides. Press the rub into the meat and shake off any excess.
- Wrap in heavy-duty foil and refrigerator for 1 hour or overnight.
- Remove the ribs from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Add apple juice to the foil packet and fold foil to seal foil over the ribs.
- Preheat the grill to 300 degrees with the lid closed.
- Place the ribs on the grill under indirect heat. Close the lid and cook for 1 hour, checking the temperature regularly to ensure even cooking.
- After 1 hour, open the foil and check if the ribs are cooked through. The meat will start to pull back from the bones, and the bones will release from the meat when twisted.
- Remove the ribs from the grill, saving the juice.
- Increase the temp to high. Brush the ribs with BBQ sauce or reserved juice on all sides and return to the hot grill.
- Cook for 5-10 minutes, flip and cook for an extra 5-10 minutes to brown each side.
- Remove from the grill and allow to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Serve hot with your favorite sides!
Notes
Start the grill on low using just one or two burners and increase the heat as needed.
*If Whole30 or Paleo, check the label of the apple juice and BBQ sauce to ensure all ingredients are compliant.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grill
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: grilled ribs, whole30 ribs, grilled baby back ribs
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Thank you for the great tips on cooking ribs - the spice rub sounds delicious too!
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It's really good!
Some really great tips here, thank you!
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Looks delicious! I love ribs! ❤️
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I love all the step-by-step pics, you make it look so easy!
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Thank you! It really is easy.
Looks like my kind of recipe. Going to try this.
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Glad to have this recipe since my family complains when I make tough as can be ribs. Going to try your method.
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These are nice and tender!
Fall off the bone delicious!
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Yum!
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Oh, my goodness, yum! I love dry rub on ribs.
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It's the best way to go 🙂
This pork ribs looks delicious juicy and perfect.
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This looks Incredibly delicious. I have to make this soon for my family!
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Great recipe for the grill. I usually smoke the ribs but when there's only a gas grill you have to find another way to grill them.
I made a small change and used diet coke (or coke) instead of the vinegar. The coke gives the pork a sweet flavor and makes the meat tender.
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