Get Smoking with Beer Brined Baby Back Ribs

If you’re looking to add some flavor to your summer grilling, look no further than beer brined baby back ribs smoked on the grill. This unique and delicious cooking method infuses your meat with flavorful and aromatic ingredients that will make your taste buds sing. In this blog post, we’ll take you through the process of making perfect beer brined baby back ribs at home, all the way from selecting the right beer to marinading, cooking, and basting your ribs to perfection. Gather your friends and family and let’s get grilling!

Make sure you remove the silver skin from the ribs.

Step 1: Select Your Beer

The first step to infusing your baby back ribs with the perfect flavor is selecting the right beer for your brine. We recommend choosing a beer that’s light and refreshing, such as a pilsner or a blonde ale, to pair well with the sweetness of the meat. I selected Stella, because a guest brought it over and I can't imagine anyone in our house drinking it! A good rule of thumb is to use about one can of beer for every rack of ribs you’re cooking. So of course, I used 6 beers for 2 racks of ribs because I wanted the meat to take a full soak in the brine

Step 2: Make Your Brine

Once you’ve chosen your beer, it’s time to create your brine mixture. Begin by pouring your beer into a pot. Then, add some kosher salt, brown sugar, garlic powder and your choice of spices such as paprika and chili powder. Mix all the ingredients together, then bring to a boil to allow the spices to converge. Let it cool, then submerge your baby back ribs in a zipper lock bag and let it sit in the fridge to brine for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Step 3: Fire Up the Grill or Smoker

When you’re ready to cook your ribs, it’s time to fire up the grill. We suggest setting your grill to a medium-heat for indirect cooking. I went for thr temperature of 225. Remove your ribs from the zipper lock bag and discard the marinade. Once your grill has come up to temperature, place your ribs bone-side down on the indirect side of the grill. Cover your grill and cook your ribs for 2 hours.

Next, wrap your ribs in foil and continue cooking (2 hours for completely "fall off the bone". 1 hour for more meaty). You can also add some butter slices to the foil pack if you want to make sure they are extra juicy. However, they do just fine in their own juice.

Unwrap the ribs and return them to the grill bone side down.

Step 4: Baste Your Ribs

To give your ribs some extra flavor, it’s important to baste them with a flavorful sauce. Combine your favorite barbecue sauce with a little bit of the. Brush the sauce onto both sides of your ribs and let it cook for an additional 15-20 minutes, letting the sauce caramelize and create a delicious glaze.

Step 5: Let Your Ribs Rest

Once your ribs are done cooking, it’s time to let them rest before cutting and serving. Let your ribs rest for about 10 minutes before cutting into them to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring that each bite is juicy and flavorful.

That’s all there is to it! With this recipe, you’ll be able to make the most succulent and tasty beer brined baby back ribs you’ve ever tasted. Whether you're entertaining guests or looking to enjoy a delicious meal with your family, these ribs are sure to be a hit. So get your grill ready, grab your ingredients and let's get cooking! Remember to experiment with the flavors to find the perfect combination for your taste buds. Enjoy!

Beer Brine Recipe:

• Beer - Lager or ale

• 1/4 cup Kosher Salt

• 1/4 cup Pepper

• Garlic (teaspoon of powder of 2-3 minced cloves)

• 1/2 Tsp Paprika