4th Of July BBQ Ribs Recipe
This 4th of July BBQ ribs recipe will leave your guests wanting more. Nothing says ‘Merica like the coveted 4th of July BBQ. Not many people will turn down an invite to a 4th of July BBQ with fireworks, cold beer, and 4th Of July BBQ Ribs. One barbecued entrée takes precedence over the rest… Baby back ribs. Everyone loves a well-prepared rack of baby back ribs. The smokey flavor, a bit of char around the edges, and your favorite BBQ sauce that’s been slathered on so perfectly and that it becomes sticky and tacky is enough to make anyone’s mouth water. So, if you’re looking for an idea of what to serve at your 4th of July BBQ, or better yet an awesome BBQ ribs recipe, you’re in the right spot.
We believe that the best way to BBQ anything is in a smoker or over wood or charcoal. However, not everyone agrees and not everyone has that opportunity. You can prepare this recipe on the grill, in the oven, or start in the oven and finish on the grill.
Ingredients Needed For 4th Of July BBQ Ribs
- Smoker, Grill or Oven
- Baby Back Ribs
- Your Favorite Spice Rub
- Your Favorite BBQ Sauce
- Spray Bottle
- Apple Juice or Pickle Juice
Instructions
Before seasoning your ribs, it’s best to remove the membrane coating on the underside of the ribs. Being careful, and using a knife, loosen the membrane around one of the end bones, scraping it away from the ribs. Grab a paper towel to help you grip the loose end of the membrane and slowly begin to peel it off the underside of the ribs until it removes. If done properly, it should come off in one piece. However, rarely does this happen and you may need to repeat this process until all the membrane has been removed.
With the membrane removed, you can now fully season your ribs to obtain the max capacity of flavor, smoke will pass through the meat instead of being blocked by the membrane, and you’ll notice they turn out more tender and easier to eat.
Pre-Heat Your Smoker, Grill, Or Oven And Season
If you’re using your smoker, we’re going for low and slow here. Preheat your smoker to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re using your oven, preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re using the grill, preheat to 275 – 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
While your smoker, oven, or grill is preheating, coat the ribs in yellow mustard (don’t worry, this flavor will not shine through) and generously apply your favorite spice rub. Coat the entire rack of ribs, top and bottom, and let sit until your smoker, grill, or oven is preheated.
If Using A Smoker Or Grill
The smoker is the most time-consuming method but, in our opinion, the most flavorful. Add your ribs for 2 hours and don’t open that lid! The only time we’ll be opening the lid is to spritz our ribs with either apple juice or pickle juice that should be in your spray bottle. You want to keep the ribs from drying out and a good way to do this is to spritz your ribs every 45 minutes to 1 hour. It’s the same concept as basting a turkey, just with apple or pickle juice in a spray bottle.
Remember, the grill will be hotter than the smoker and the flame will be closer to the meat, so keep an eye on them if you’re using this method. Also, if the entire rack of ribs will not fit on your grill, you can cut them in half to make two half racks. However, cooking times may vary, so remain vigilant.
The Next Steps
Remove those ribs. Wrap in a double layer of tin foil with the crinkled edge at the top. Be sure to spray with your apple or pickle juice one last time before you wrap them. Once wrapped, add them back to the smoker and wait for another hour and a half. Do not open that lid OR the tin foil wrapping.
After an hour and a half of being wrapped, remove the ribs and open them. Now it’s time to coat the ribs in your favorite BBQ sauce. With a BBQ brush, add a few tablespoons of sauce and slather until an even layer of sauce is coating the ribs. Add them back to the smoker, turn the heat up another 25 – 50 degrees, and let them continue to cook for another 30 – 45 minutes. When the sauce because sticky and tacky, and the juices run clear, your ribs are ready.
The Oven Method
Place the spice-coated ribs on a foil-lined baking sheet, cover tightly with more foil, and bake in a 300-degree oven for about 2 hours. To finish off the ribs, brush them with the sauce and broil until the sauce just starts to bubble and caramelize, 2 to 4 minutes. Alternatively, skip the broiler and finish the ribs on the grill for 10 to 15 minutes, brushing occasionally with the BBQ sauce until charred in spots and heated through.
If you follow these instructions, you’ll be sure to serve up some of the best ribs you or your guests have ever had. A big part of barbecuing is to go by feel. So, keep an eye on any problem spots and adjust time and temp at your discretion by using common sense.
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