Top 10 Ways to Make Barbecue Ribs

The best and most popular rib recipes for barbecue & grilling

By
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches is a grilling and barbecue expert. He has written two cookbooks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 06/8/20

Ribs are one of the most popular foods for the grill (gas or charcoal) or smoker. The problem is that ribs need special care to get them right. These rib recipes help you learn how to keep it low and slow to make great ribs whether you are cooking beef ribs or pork ribs. Once you have the basics of grilling or smoking ribs down pat, you can pick out your own rib rubs, barbecue sauces, and marinades and put your personal stamp on this tasty cut of meat.

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  • 01 of 10

    Memphis-Style Ribs

    Memphis-style rib rub

    Sabrina S. Baksh / Regarding BBQ Inc.

    If you're looking for that authentic Memphis-style flavor, look no further. This Memphis-style ribs recipe combines a fantastic rub with a delicious sauce to produce the tastiest rack of ribs you've ever had. Louisiana hot sauce gives them a kick.

  • 02 of 10

    Kansas City Ribs

    Tray of Kansas city-style barbecue whole pork barbecued spare ribs.

    M Timothy O'Keefe/Photographer's Choice RF / Getty Images

    If you're in the mood for a sweet, sticky, delicious pork rib recipe, then Kansas City ribs are what you want. These delicate pork ribs get rubbed, sauced, and grilled or cooked in the oven for a taste sensation.

  • 03 of 10

    Barbecue Spareribs

    ribs

    Leah Maroney 

    This is a good, basic method for making any type of barbecued pork ribs, whether they're St. Louis, baby backs, or barbecue spareribs, they come out perfectly. If you are just starting out making ribs or looking for something simple, this recipe is the one for you.

  • 04 of 10

    Slow-Grilled Beef Ribs

    Slow-grilled beef ribs

    Evan Sklar / Photodisc / Getty Images

    The secret to great beef ribs is to cook them ​slowly with indirect heat. This makes the slow-grilled beef ribs tender and flavorful. A drip pan placed under the grilling ribs will help to catch fats and juices and prevent flare-ups.

    Continue to 5 of 10 below.
  • 05 of 10

    Barbecue Beef Ribs

    Sticky BBQ Beef Ribs Recipe

    The Spruce

    This is an easy way to prepare delicious, sticky barbecue beef ribs on your grill. Remember that the secret to indirect grilling is to make sure that the food doesn't get any direct heat at all. You will need to rotate the ribs occasionally to cook them evenly.

  • 06 of 10

    Chicago-Style Barbecue Baby Back Ribs

    Chicago-style BBQ baby back ribs

    Paul Poplis / Getty Images

    These Chicago-style barbecue baby back ribs are mouthwatering good! If you're throwing a huge cookout, this is the recipe to use. It calls for 10 racks of pork baby back ribs. But don't pass this recipe by, you can always adjust the ingredient quantities if you want to make a smaller quantity.

  • 07 of 10

    Oh Yeah Sticky Beef Ribs

    This sticky beef rib recipe is so delicious it'll make you say, "Oh yeah!" through the whole meal! The sauce is sweet, spicy, and slightly tangy from the apple-cider vinegar. Try this oh yeah sticky beef ribs recipe for your next cookout and watch how your guests come back for more.

  • 08 of 10

    Smoked Beef Ribs

    Smoked beef ribs

    Photo from Regarding BBQ, Inc.

    This is the most basic method for producing smoked beef ribs. These hearty bones need time to render their fat so keep the temperature low to melt away the tough connective tissue and leave the meat juicy and tender.

    Continue to 9 of 10 below.
  • 09 of 10

    Slow-Cooker Baby Back Ribs

    These slow-cooker baby back ribs might not be bathed in smoke, but they still have a lot of flavor. This recipe will give you a great set of ribs when you can't prepare them outdoors.

  • 10 of 10

    Carolina Ribs With Red Pepper Sauce

    Carolina ribs with red pepper sauce

    luchezar / Getty Images

    These pork spareribs are coated with a Carolina-style rub and basted with a tangy sauce, both of which contain cayenne pepper. We can't get enough of these Carolina ribs with red pepper sauce.