Foil-Wrapped Baby Back Ribs

Majorly cut down the cook time for barbecued baby back ribs by sealing them in foil then finishing them over wood chips. It takes a third of the time for tender, flavorful ribs!

By Jamie Purviance
Published April 26, 2023
Barbecued baby back ribs cut up on a plate on a wooden table

Simply Recipes / Brent Hofacker

Some barbecue purists will shudder at the thought of cooking ribs wrapped in foil, but if you want to make them in about one hour and fifteen minutes as opposed to the usual three to four hours (or more), this is how.

A version of this article originally appeared on MyRecipes.com

Source: © 2011 Weber-Stephen Products LLC. Recipe from Weber's Time to Grill™ by Jamie Purviance. Used with permission.

Foil-Wrapped Baby Back Ribs

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 75 mins
Total Time 90 mins
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

For the rub

  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt

  • 2 teaspoons paprika

  • 2 teaspoons granulated garlic

  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

For the ribs

Special Equipment

  • 1 cup hickory wood chips, soaked in water for at least 30 minutes

Method

  1. Prepare the grill:

    Prepare the grill for direct cooking over medium heat (350°F).

  2. Prepare the rub:

    In a small bowl, add the rub ingredients (salt, paprika, garlic, thyme, and pepper) and mix to combine.

  3. Prepare the ribs:

    Remove the membrane from the back of each rack of ribs. Cut each rack crosswise in the middle to create two smaller racks.

  4. Season the ribs and wrap in foil:

    Season each half rack evenly with the rub. Using eight 18x24-inch sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil, double-wrap each half rack in its own packet.

  5. Cook the ribs:

    Clean the grill grates. Place the ribs on the grill over direct medium heat and cook for 1 hour, with the lid closed, occasionally turning the packets over for even cooking, making sure not to pierce the foil.

  6. Remove and rest:

    Remove the packets from the grill and let rest for about 10 minutes. Carefully open the foil packets, remove the ribs, and discard the rendered fat and foil.

  7. Add wood chips, baste, and serve:

    Drain and add the wood chips directly onto burning coals or to the smoker box of a gas grill, following the manufacturer’s instructions. When the wood begins to smoke, return the ribs to the grill, bone side down.

    Grill over direct medium heat, with the lid closed as much as possible, until they are sizzling and lightly charred, 10 to 12 minutes, turning and basting once or twice with the sauce. Remove from the grill and let rest for about 5 minutes.

    Cut into individual ribs and serve warm with any remaining sauce.

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
899 Calories
66g Fat
31g Carbs
45g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 899
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 66g 85%
Saturated Fat 20g 99%
Cholesterol 223mg 74%
Sodium 1865mg 81%
Total Carbohydrate 31g 11%
Dietary Fiber 1g 5%
Total Sugars 24g
Protein 45g
Vitamin C 1mg 4%
Calcium 80mg 6%
Iron 5mg 25%
Potassium 780mg 17%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.