Are you looking for something out of the ordinary? Try these Simple Weber Ribs! They cook to juicy, mouth-watering perfection on the Weber Kettle Grill. This recipe uses a two-zone fire to create ribs that are moist, rich, and full of flavor.
Adding a wrap mixture made with Heath Riles BBQ Butter Bath & Wrap ensures that the ribs are succulent, with a slight hint of apple. These Simple Weber Ribs are the perfect recipe for all occasions and will earn you plenty of compliments!
How to Cook Ribs on a Charcoal Grill | Heath Riles BBQ
Every so often, it’s fun to switch things up. That’s precisely what I did with these Simple Weber Ribs! Cooking them on the Weber Kettle Grill infused the meat with a dark, rich charcoal flavor. This recipe proves that ribs aren’t just for the smoker! The Weber Kettle Grill is portable, so save this recipe for your next camping trip or bonfire.
The Ingredients
With a few simple ingredients, you’ll have a rack of ribs that are as tasty as they are gorgeous. Here’s what you need to add to your shopping cart.
Prairie Fresh Prime Baby Back Ribs. I take these ribs on the circuit; they consistently produce excellent results. They require minimal trim work, ideal for chefs who keep it simple.
Mustard. Mustard is one of my favorite binders. It’s easy to find at the store, creates a delicious bark, and gives the meat a tasty twang. Use a smooth mustard like French’s for best results.
Heath Riles BBQ Hot BBQ Rub. This rub was a big part of my victory in the 2022 Memphis in May Rib Championship. It features a blend of garlic, onion, and a little heat on the back end. This rub brings the heat, but it’s mild enough for children to enjoy. It goes great on beef, chicken, pork, and seafood.
Heath Riles BBQ Honey Rub. This sweet AP rub gives you the flavor of honey without the char. It’s a great blend you can pair with any of my other rubs for a custom flavor. It gives chicken, ribs, and beef a gorgeous golden color that can’t be beaten!
Heath Riles BBQ Butter Bath & Wrap. My butter bath is a great shortcut ingredient that will save you so much time in the kitchen. All you do is combine it with water or juice and shake until smooth. It doesn’t get easier than that!
Apple juice. Apple juice pairs perfectly with Heath Riles BBQ Butter Bath & Wrap. It gives the pork a hint of sweetness that doesn’t overpower the meat’s natural flavors.
Heath Riles BBQ Sweet BBQ Sauce. This BBQ sauce took over 10 years to develop because the best things in life take time! This ketchup-based sauce goes great on baked beans, beef, and chicken. Use it alone, or pair it with Heath Riles BBQ Tangy Vinegar BBQ Sauce.
The Smoker Setup
Here’s the main equipment I used for this recipe. More of my grilling favorites can be found in the Equipment and Tools section.
- Kettle Grill. I cooked these Simple Weber Ribs on the Weber Kettle Grill. This is an excellent pick if you want a simple, sturdy setup that’s great for on-the-go cooking. Beginners love this pit because there are only a few bells or whistles to mess with. Weber produces high-quality pits that last for ages. This model is easy to store, making it perfect for small spaces. There are also a lot of fun accessories you can purchase, like the Vortex Chimney.
- Charcoal. I stoked the pit with Royal Oak Charcoal. I used Royal’s new super-size charcoal and was so impressed. This charcoal doesn’t use any fillers and produces pure, clean smoke. I use them just about every time with fabulous results. I also added a few Royal Oak Tumbleweeds for good measure.
The Process for Making Simple Weber Ribs
You can find a detailed demonstration of this recipe within the recipe card and video. Here’s a quick rundown of how these Simple Weber Ribs came together.
- Fire up the grill. I stoked the Weber Kettle Grill with Royal Oak Charcoal and Royal Oak Tumbleweeds. Then, I fired it up, creating a two-zone fire. Be sure to watch the video to see my simple method for two-zone grilling.
- Season the ribs. First, I took the ribs out of their package and removed the membrane. Then, I rubbed in a layer of French’s mustard to help the seasonings stick. I put down a base coat of Heath Riles BBQ Hot BBQ Rub, followed by a dusting of Heath Riles BBQ Honey Rub. I flipped the ribs and repeated the process on the other side, then let the Simple Weber Ribs sweat in for 15 minutes.
- Start cooking. To finish my two-zone fire, I added more charcoal to the hot zone along with a few hickory wood chips. I closed the lid and let the Weber Kettle Grill heat up to 350℉. I laid the Simple Weber Ribs on the cool zone of the fire, letting it cook undisturbed for 1 hour.
- Spritz and wrap. After 1 hour, I spritzed the Simple Weber Ribs with water. Then, I let the meat go for another 45 minutes. I removed the ribs from the Weber Kettle Grill and laid it meat-side down on a double-lined sheet of aluminum foil. To create my wrap mixture, I combined ¼ cup Heath Riles BBQ Butter Bath & Wrap with ¾ cup apple juice until smooth. This quantity covers one slab of ribs, so adjust the ingredients as needed! I poured the wrap mixture over the top and wrapped the ribs tightly.
- Smoke and glaze. I laid the wrapped ribs directly on the Weber Kettle Grill’s grate and let them smoke for 1 hour, spinning them at the halfway point. After a total cook time of 2 hours and 45 minutes, I removed the Simple Weber Ribs from the pit and let them rest for 30 minutes. I knew the ribs were done when they hit 206℉. I unwrapped the ribs and glazed them on both sides with a layer of Heath Riles BBQ Sweet BBQ Sauce.
- Finish and serve. I laid the Simple Weber Ribs back on the Weber Kettle Grill for 10 more minutes to tack up. I removed the ribs from the grill and let them cool down before slicing in. The only thing left was to dig in!
The Results
The Simple Weber Ribs came off the Weber Kettle Grill dripping with moisture. The butter wrap mixture gave this recipe a fruity note that, when combined with hickory smoke, creates a unique experience. This recipe is bound to be a favorite with everyone you meet! I know I couldn’t get enough of it.
Serving Suggestions for Simple Weber Ribs
Serve these Simple Weber Ribs on their own, or add a side of Smoked Brisket Baked Beans, and jalapeño cornbread. If you’re feeling fancy, add a mug of craft beer!
Storing Leftovers
You can store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze them for up to 4 months. If freezing, you may have to add additional glaze.
Equipment and Tools
Weber Kettle Grill, Royal Oak Charcoal, Vortex Chimney, aluminum foil, spray bottle, disposable cutting board, metal tongs, ThermoWorks Hi-Temp Basting Brush, Victorinox Fribrox Pro Chef’s Knife, Heath Riles Heat Resistant BBQ Gloves, metal sheet pan, Thermoworks Thermapen One
