Grilled Baby Back Ribs with Applewood Seasonings
Discover a unique method of grilling ribs that packs incredible applewood flavors. Learn how to use a two-step grilling process to create BBQ baby back ribs that are so tender and flavorful, they’ll be the hit of your next backyard BBQ. This recipe for apple smoked bbq ribs lets the ribs keep all their juices, ensuring you get a bite that is bursting with flavor every single time.
The recipe features a two-step grilling process: ribs are coated with McCormick’s Applewood Rub and Emeril’s Essence, seared on a 375-400°F grill for char marks, then steamed in a foil cocoon with Redd’s Apple Ale for 45 minutes to lock in tenderness and applewood flavor. Finished with BBQ sauce, these Grilled Baby Back Ribs with Applewood Seasonings are tender and flavorful.
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My son is one of these men that is all man. It’s hard for me to say, man, he is still my little boy even if he is 6′ 3″. He’s one of that kind of man that loves grilling and coming up with his own unique methods. You know the kind, the ones that beat their chest around the grill. The ones that pride themselves on their manly skills with fire. Yep, he is one of those and I am so glad he is because what he and that grill produce is just amazing. Just like these Apple Seasoned BBQ Baby Ribs, he puts loads of flavor in his recipes.
Does your heart belong to the grill? 🔥Then you’ll understand the pride my son takes in his BBQ Baby Back Ribs. He’s invented a method that infuses the ribs with the flavors of applewood smoke without a smoker! Intrigued? Get involved and share your favorite grilling secrets
These bbq baby back ribs are tender and have an applewood flavor that comes from his two-step process. They are first are liberally coated with seasonings and grilled to sear in all that amazing flavor. Then they are removed from the grill and placed into a cocoon of aluminum foil. An apple ale or apple juice is poured over them. The foil cocoons are then sealed and placed back on the grill.
This process is the reverse of what some do when making ribs such as boiling them first. His method retains all the flavor that boiling would remove. He was gracious enough to share this recipe with us and now even though he doesn’t live near us, we can enjoy his special bbq baby backs ribs anytime.
What is in these Apple Seasoned Baby Back Ribs:
Ingredients:
- 4 racks of baby back ribs
- 4 Tbsp Emeril’s Essence
- McCormick™ Grill Mates Applewood Rub
- 1-2 Bottles of Redds™ Apple Ale or Apple Juice
- Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce
Equipment Needed:
- Grill
- Grilling Tools
- Aluminum Foil
- BBQ Sauce Mop
How to make BBQ Baby Back Ribs:
- Rub ribs with McComick™ Grill Mates Applewood Rub, be generous as some will simply fall off/burn off. Then flip ribs and coat bottom as well and lightly season with Emeril’s Essence.
- Preheat grill to 375-400 degrees F. Place ribs on grill and sear ribs for about 15 minutes on each side until you see nice char marks on both.
- Pull Ribs from fire and place on foil sheets, overlapped (be generous) to form a water-tight bowl. Pour 1 bottle of Redd’s™ Apple Ale (or the Apple Juice) over the ribs. It should puddle at the bottom. Place more foil over the top and roll ends tightly together sealing them to make a cocoon.
- Place ribs back on grill and let steam at 400 degrees F for 45 minutes.
- Remove from the grill and the foil cocoon.
- Leave ribs in cocoon after opening top and mop a generous amount of your favorite BBQ sauce over the still-hot ribs.
- Seal the foil cover over ribs again and allow the radiant heat to spread the sauce over ribs for a few minutes (mop more on, if needed).
- Remove, slice and serve
True BBQ lovers, it’s time to ignite your senses! Time to make our grilled, apple-seasoned BBQ baby back ribs – bursting with the smoky flavors usually reserved for a smoker. Prepared with a unique two-step grilling technique developed by a true grill master, these ribs are first seasoned liberally, then bathed in apple ale, giving it that irresistible applewood taste. Let your taste buds rejoice, for this is a BBQ experience like no other!
🥣 Why you will love this recipe
- Unique Applewood Flavor: The combination of McCormick’s Applewood Rub and Redd’s Apple Ale infuses the ribs with a distinctive smoky-sweet apple flavor, setting them apart from traditional BBQ ribs.
- Tender and Juicy Texture: The two-step grilling process—searing to lock in flavor and steaming in a foil cocoon—ensures the ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender while retaining their rich, meaty juices.
- Easy Yet Impressive: With a prep time of just 5 minutes and straightforward instructions, this recipe is accessible for home cooks but delivers restaurant-quality results that impress family and friends.
- Customizable BBQ Experience: The recipe allows you to use your favorite BBQ sauce, making it easy to tailor the flavor to your preference while enhancing the ribs with a sticky, tangy finish.
Other Grilling Recipes:
🥣 Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 racks baby back ribs “to your BBQ Comfort”
- 4 tbsps Emeril’s Essence (1 tablespoon per slab)
- Apple wood McCormick Grill Mates Rub
- 1-2 bottles Redds Apple Ale or Apple Juice
- Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce or your favorite
Instructions
- Preheat grill to 375-400 degrees F. Place ribs on grill and sear ribs for about 15 minutes on each side until you see nice char marks on both.
- Pull Ribs from fire and place on foil sheets, overlapped (be generous) to form a water-tight bowl. Pour 1 bottle of Redd’s Apple Ale (or the Apple Juice) over the ribs. It should puddle at the bottom. Place more foil over the top and roll ends tightly together sealing them to make a cocoon.
- Place ribs back on grill and let steam at 400 degrees F for 45 minutes.
- Remove from the grill and the foil cocoon.
- Seal the foil cover over ribs again and allow the radiant heat to spread the sauce over ribs for a few minutes (mop more on, if needed).
- After ribs are sufficiently covered in bbq sauce, cut ’em up, and serve
Nutrition
Click HERE to save this Bbq Baby Back Ribs recipe to Pinterest
OMG, I want some right now. They look so delicious yumyum. One of my favorite meats, yes BBQ ribs. When I used to travel for work I would find the best rib restaurant in town and try them out. Of course there is nothing better than home cooked ribs. One restaurant that I found in Chicago was Houston's, the ribs were so tender that they would fall off. The have Houston's in a lot of big cities, but I would be will to bet not as good as your sons. I am coping the recipe for my son the BBQ'er. – thanks so much.
Enjoy those ribs.
Mary
WOWOWOWOW! Those look FANTASTIC!!! I love ribs so much!
Hi Evelyn,
That is for sure delicious just from the looks of it. My family love ribs and your recipe sounds easy to do. Pinning it friend 🙂
Nice to see Everylyn. I haven't been Blog hopping lately and oh boy! I missed a lot.
Judy
Yum! They look delicious Evelyn. Thanks for sharing. 🙂 xo
Elijah loves ribs … and he's been bugging me to make some! These sound perfect! 🙂
Perfectly grilled ribs Evelyn very well done to your boy!
These look amazing, Clay has it going on!!!
We're BIG rib eaters…pinned!
Wow does this look amazing! I found your delicious recipe over at the Treasure Box Tuesday link party. I host Tickle My Tastebuds Tuesday and would love it if you linked up this recipe. I’m sure our party goers would love it as much as I do. Here is the link http://bit.ly/1l4cu0j. Have a wonderful day!!
Cut 'em up and shove 'em in…well I am very good at following directions!
I got my husband a new grill for Father's Day. Have a feeling we will be making these ribs.
Thanks, Evelyn and Clay!
These look wonderful! I love ribs. Thanks for sharing with Foodie Friends Friday.
OH YUM!!!! These looks wonderful! Pinning!
Now you have made me hungry ! Looks amazing, Evelyn !