Weber is one of the best brands of charcoal grills. It is a staple in many homes because of their versatility. While it is called a grill, it does not mean that its function is limited to such. It has other uses, depending on how creative you are.
In this article, we will talk about how to slow cook ribs on a Weber grill. You do not need a fancy slow cooker if you already have a grill at home. Read on to learn the right techniques and do it like a pro.
How to Slow Cook Ribs on a Weber Grill
Slow cooking is an intimidating term. When most people hear it, they instantly assume that it is a difficult cooking method. Worse, you will need a slow cooker. However, the latter isn’t necessary. Even with a Weber grill, you can slow cook ribs.
Ready to prepare a feast that you and your guests will love? Take note of the things mentioned below and you can’t go wrong!
Shop for Ribs
Fresh is best when it comes to the ribs to slow cook. Go to your trusted butcher and find the right meat. Determine how many slabs you need, which will depend on the number of people you will be cooking for. While you can keep leftovers, we recommend eating all at once since they may no longer be as tender and delicious hours or days after cooking.
Flavor the Ribs
Once you have the ribs ready, it is time to rub them for slow cooking. The flavors to use can differ depending on your preferences. If you want to keep it simple. You can just rub it with salt and pepper or store-bought seasoning. Mix the spices and herbs that you want depending on the flavor profile you crave for. Stay away from sauces. Dry rubs are better, and when you get the right mix, you can expect the meat to be flavorful.
Prepare Charcoal Briquettes and Wood Chips
Cooking in a charcoal Weber grill obviously calls for the need to have charcoal. In this case, we recommend using briquette. It is dense, hard, and concentrated, which also means that it will burn longer compared to traditional charcoal. This is a good thing since smoking meat takes a long time, so you need your charcoal to be efficient. Plus, they do not have deposits, carbon, and smoke, making them comfortable to work with.
Meanwhile, you will also need wood chips, which is what will make the process similar to traditional smoking. This is what will provide the smoke, which will add a unique flavor to your food. You can choose from a wide array of wood chips, with some of the best including apple, mesquite, oak, cherry, and hickory. Think about the specific flavor that you want for the ribs, and this will help you decide on the chips to use.
Light Up the Grill
Now that you prepared the grill and the meat, it is time to fire it up. Timing is essential. Unlike grilling, slow cooking takes longer. Patience is a virtue. You need to have the luxury of time. Depending on the type of ribs you are cooking, allot five to seven hours.
To start cooking, prepare the grill by lifting the grate and dumping the charcoal briquettes and wood chips. Light it up and arrange the grill on the top. Make sure that there is enough space between ribs, which is vital for consistent heat distribution and even cooking.
Close and Wait
Once the grill is lit and the ribs are arranged on the grate, time to have it closed. Smoke the ribs up to four hours, resisting the temptation to open the lid and peak. Use the vents for controlling airflow and maintaining the right temperature, which should ideally be 225 degrees Fahrenheit.
Watch out on your heat. Low and slow is the way to go. If the heat is too high, then you will end up burning the ribs. It will have a bitter taste and will be charred. As mentioned earlier, patience is important in slow cooking.
You will need to make a couple of adjustments to maintaining the right temperature when slow cooking ribs. For instance, you should adjust the grill’s top vent, which will control the air circulation. If there is no more smoke going out of the damper, close it slightly. Nonetheless, you should not close it completely as it will trap the smoke inside and can result in bitter aftertaste.
Serve and Enjoy
Now comes the best part! It is time to get the ribs out of the grill and serve. Once it is tender, it is ready. You can add sauce to make the meat more flavorful. Alternatively, you can also serve the sauce on the side. Do not eat right away. Even if you are excited at this point, it is best to wait at least 20 minutes before you slice and eat.
#Video: How To Make Ribs on a Charcoal Grill Easy
Why You Should Slow Cook Ribs
Many of you are probably wondering – why would you slow cook ribs when you can just grill it? While grilling is a lot quicker and easier, its outcome is not as nice as what the ribs would be loke when you slow cook them.
Naturally, ribs have connective tissues and fats. With this, the meat is tough. Slow cooking is great because it will make the meat tender. This will break down the tissues in the meat, making it tender and succulent.
More than being easy to chew, slow cooking ribs is also beneficial in terms of flavor. It infuses better flavors compared to grilling alone. One of the reasons for this is the wood chips. Choose the right chips and expect mouthwatering flavor in your meat. Plus, it will have a distinct smoky flavor that you can also smell.
#Video: Slow Cooked Beef Short Ribs
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