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Father’s Day Backyard Baby Back Ribs

These Father’s Day Backyard Baby Back Ribs are smoky, sticky, sweet, and gloriously messy in the way good ribs are supposed to be. With a bold rub, apple juice, butter, honey, and BBQ sauce, this is the kind of recipe that makes Dad feel like he won dinner without lifting a finger.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Course Main Course
Servings 6

EQUIPMENT (PAID LINKS)

Ingredients
  

  • 2 racks baby back ribs
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup beef rub
  • 1/2 cup apple juice
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce

Instructions

  • Preheat the Grill: Preheat your grill to 350°F and set it up for two-zone cooking, with one side for direct heat and the other side for indirect heat.
  • Remove the Membrane: Turn the ribs bone-side up. Use a paper towel to grip and pull off the thin membrane from the back of each rack. This helps the ribs get more tender as they cook.
    2 racks baby back ribs
  • Season the Ribs: Drizzle the ribs with vegetable oil, then rub both sides evenly with the beef rub.
    1 tablespoon vegetable oil, 1/4 cup beef rub
  • Sear the Ribs: Place the ribs on the hot side of the grill and cook for 8 to 10 minutes per side. This gives them color and starts building that grilled flavor.
  • Cook Over Indirect Heat: Move the ribs to the cooler side of the grill. Close the lid and cook for 45 minutes, or until the ribs reach 165°F.
  • Wrap the Ribs: Lay out two large sheets of aluminum foil. Place each rack meat-side down on the foil. Pour the apple juice, melted butter, and honey over the ribs, then seal the foil tightly around each rack.
    1/2 cup apple juice, 1/4 cup melted butter, 1/4 cup honey
  • Finish Cooking the Ribs: Return the wrapped ribs to the indirect heat side of the grill. Cook for another 45 minutes, or until the ribs reach 198°F to 200°F and bend easily without falling apart.
  • Sauce the Ribs: Carefully unwrap the ribs and place them back on the hot side of the grill. Brush both sides with BBQ sauce and cook for 5 to 10 minutes, turning as needed, until the sauce is sticky and set.
    1 cup BBQ sauce
  • Rest and Serve: Transfer the ribs to a cutting board and let them rest for 5 minutes. Slice between the bones and serve warm, with extra BBQ sauce on the side if you like.