How to Make Fall-Off-the-Bone Rib Tips on the Grill

How to Make Rib Tips on the Grill

Rib tips are a delicious and flavorful way to enjoy pork ribs. They’re also relatively easy to cook, making them a great option for a quick and easy meal.

In this article, we’ll show you how to make perfectly grilled rib tips. We’ll cover everything from choosing the right ribs to grilling them to perfection. So whether you’re a seasoned griller or a novice, read on for all the tips and tricks you need to know.

Choosing the Right Rib Tips

The first step to making great rib tips is choosing the right ribs. Look for ribs that are meaty and have a good amount of marbling. Avoid ribs that are too fatty or too lean.

You can also choose between baby back ribs and spare ribs. Baby back ribs are smaller and more tender, while spare ribs are larger and have more meat on them. Both types of ribs are delicious, so it really comes down to personal preference.

Preparing the Rib Tips

Once you’ve chosen your ribs, it’s time to prepare them for grilling. First, rinse the ribs under cold water and pat them dry. Then, season them with your favorite dry rub. If you’re not sure what to use, a simple rub of salt, pepper, and garlic powder is always a good option.

You can also marinate the ribs in a wet rub or sauce if you prefer. Marinating the ribs will help to add flavor and tenderness. Just be sure to marinate the ribs for at least 30 minutes, but no longer than 24 hours.

Grilling the Rib Tips

Now it’s time to grill the rib tips! Preheat your grill to medium heat. If you’re using a charcoal grill, build a two-zone fire with the coals on one side of the grill. If you’re using a gas grill, set the heat to medium.

Place the rib tips on the grill, meaty side down. Grill the ribs for 5-7 minutes per side, or until they’re browned and slightly charred.

Then, move the ribs to the cooler side of the grill and continue to cook them for 20-30 minutes, or until they’re cooked through. The internal temperature of the ribs should reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

Baste the Rib Tips

While the ribs are cooking, baste them with your favorite barbecue sauce. Baste the ribs every 5-10 minutes to keep them moist and flavorful.

Rest the Rib Tips

Once the ribs are cooked through, remove them from the grill and let them rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and the ribs to firm up slightly.

Serve the Rib Tips

Serve the rib tips immediately while they’re still hot. Enjoy!

Step Ingredients Instructions
1
  • 1 rack of rib tips
  • 1 cup of your favorite barbecue sauce
  • 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup of brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon of chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon of onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
1. Preheat your grill to medium heat.
2. In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients for the marinade.
3. Add the rib tips to the marinade and turn to coat.
4. Marinate the rib tips for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
5. Grill the rib tips for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
6. Baste the rib tips with the marinade every few minutes while grilling.
7. Serve the rib tips immediately, with additional barbecue sauce on the side.

Choosing the Right Rib Tips

What are rib tips?

Rib tips are a cut of meat from the underside of the rib cage of a pig. They are also known as pork belly tips, sparerib tips, or riblets. Rib tips are a flavorful and versatile cut of meat that can be grilled, smoked, roasted, or braised.

What to look for when choosing rib tips

When choosing rib tips, look for meat that is firm and pink with a thin layer of fat. The meat should be moist and not dry. Avoid rib tips that are tough or have a lot of gristle.

Different types of rib tips

There are two main types of rib tips: back rib tips and side rib tips. Back rib tips are cut from the back of the pig, while side rib tips are cut from the side of the pig. Back rib tips are typically smaller and thinner than side rib tips. Side rib tips are also more flavorful and have a higher fat content.

Preparing the Rib Tips

How to trim rib tips

Before cooking, rib tips should be trimmed of any excess fat and membrane. To trim rib tips, use a sharp knife to remove the thin layer of fat that covers the meat. You can also remove the membrane that covers the bone.

How to marinate rib tips

Rib tips can be marinated in a variety of different ways. Marinating can help to tenderize the meat and add flavor. Some popular marinades for rib tips include:

  • Teriyaki marinade: This marinade is made with soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil.
  • BBQ marinade: This marinade is made with ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and spices.
  • Spicy marinade: This marinade is made with chili powder, cayenne pepper, cumin, and garlic.

How to cook rib tips

Rib tips can be cooked in a variety of ways. The most popular methods for cooking rib tips include grilling, smoking, roasting, and braising.

  • To grill rib tips, preheat your grill to medium heat. Brush the rib tips with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the rib tips for 5-7 minutes per side, or until they are cooked through.
  • To smoke rib tips, preheat your smoker to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. Smoke the rib tips for 3-4 hours, or until they are cooked through.
  • To roast rib tips, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the rib tips in a roasting pan and season with salt and pepper. Roast the rib tips for 2-3 hours, or until they are cooked through.
  • To braise rib tips, preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the rib tips in a Dutch oven or slow cooker. Add a liquid such as water, stock, or beer. Cover the Dutch oven or slow cooker and cook the rib tips for 4-6 hours, or until they are cooked through.

Rib tips are a delicious and versatile cut of meat that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They can be grilled, smoked, roasted, or braised. With so many different ways to cook them, there is sure to be a rib tip recipe that everyone will enjoy.

Cooking the Rib Tips

How to Grill Rib Tips

Grilling is a popular way to cook rib tips because it imparts a delicious smoky flavor. To grill rib tips, you will need:

  • Rib tips
  • A grill
  • A grill brush
  • Cooking oil
  • Barbecue sauce
  • Wood chips (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
2. Brush the rib tips with cooking oil.
3. If you are using wood chips, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before using them.
4. Place the rib tips on the grill, bone side down.
5. Cook the rib tips for 5-7 minutes per side, or until they are cooked through.
6. Baste the rib tips with barbecue sauce every few minutes while they are cooking.
7. Remove the rib tips from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

How to Smoke Rib Tips

Smoking is another great way to cook rib tips. Smoking imparts a rich, smoky flavor that is perfect for rib tips. To smoke rib tips, you will need:

  • Rib tips
  • A smoker
  • A grill brush
  • Cooking oil
  • Barbecue sauce
  • Wood chips (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your smoker to 225 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Brush the rib tips with cooking oil.
3. If you are using wood chips, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before using them.
4. Place the rib tips in the smoker, bone side down.
5. Smoke the rib tips for 6-8 hours, or until they are cooked through.
6. Baste the rib tips with barbecue sauce every few hours while they are smoking.
7. Remove the rib tips from the smoker and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

How to Bake Rib Tips

Baking is a simple and easy way to cook rib tips. Baking is also a good way to cook rib tips if you don’t have access to a grill or smoker. To bake rib tips, you will need:

  • Rib tips
  • A baking sheet
  • Aluminum foil
  • Cooking oil
  • Barbecue sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
3. Brush the rib tips with cooking oil.
4. Place the rib tips on the baking sheet.
5. Bake the rib tips for 30-45 minutes, or until they are cooked through.
6. Baste the rib tips with barbecue sauce every few minutes while they are baking.
7. Remove the rib tips from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

Serving the Rib Tips

How to Sauce Rib Tips

There are many different ways to sauce rib tips. You can use a store-bought barbecue sauce, or you can make your own homemade barbecue sauce. To make your own barbecue sauce, you will need:

  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine all of the ingredients.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
3. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and reduced.
4. Let the sauce cool completely before using it to baste the rib tips.

How to Garnish Rib Tips

There are many different ways to garnish rib tips. You can garnish them with fresh herbs, such as parsley or cilantro, or you can garnish them with sliced vegetables, such as onions or peppers. You can also garnish them with a squeeze of lemon juice or a drizzle of honey.

How to Store Rib Tips

Rib tips can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To store them, place them in an airtight container or bag. You can also freeze rib tips for up to 3 months. To freeze them, place them in a freezer-safe container or

How long do you cook rib tips on the grill?

Rib tips should be cooked for 2-3 hours over indirect heat, or until they reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

**What temperature should you cook rib tips on the grill?

Rib tips should be cooked at a temperature of 225-250 degrees Fahrenheit.

**What wood should you use to smoke rib tips?

You can use any type of wood to smoke rib tips, but some popular choices include hickory, oak, and maple.

**What are some tips for grilling rib tips?

  • Make sure to preheat your grill to the correct temperature before adding the rib tips.
  • Cook the rib tips over indirect heat to prevent them from burning.
  • Baste the rib tips with your favorite barbecue sauce or rub every 30 minutes or so.
  • Let the rib tips rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.

**What are some common mistakes people make when grilling rib tips?

  • Cooking the rib tips over direct heat.
  • Not preheating the grill.
  • Not basting the rib tips with barbecue sauce or rub.
  • Not letting the rib tips rest before serving.

**What are some different ways to serve rib tips?

  • Serve the rib tips as is with your favorite barbecue sauce.
  • Shred the rib tips and serve them on top of a salad.
  • Make tacos or burritos with the rib tips.
  • Use the rib tips as a topping for pizza.

    In this blog post, we have discussed how to make rib tips on the grill. We have covered everything from choosing the right ribs to preparing them for grilling. We have also provided step-by-step instructions on how to grill rib tips so that they come out perfectly cooked and delicious.

We hope that you have found this blog post helpful and that you will enjoy making rib tips on the grill. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below.

Here are some key takeaways from this blog post:

  • Choose ribs that are meaty and have a good amount of fat.
  • Trim the ribs and remove any excess fat.
  • Marinate the ribs in a flavorful sauce for several hours or overnight.
  • Grill the ribs over indirect heat until they are cooked through and tender.
  • Baste the ribs with the marinade frequently while grilling.
  • Serve the ribs immediately with your favorite sides.

We hope that you enjoy making rib tips on the grill!

Author Profile

Jennifer Lucks
Jennifer Lucks
With over 30 years experience, Lucks Caterers is a second generation family owned and operated business. We are committed to maintaining our family tradition of outstanding quality, excellence and reliability.
Our European trained head chef develops beautiful and delicious foods to catch the eye and satisfy the palate. Lucks provides you with imaginative and affordable menu selections.
In 2024, we embarked on a new chapter in our journey as we expanded our horizons to share our wealth of knowledge and expertise with a broader audience. With a keen focus on event management and culinary arts, we launched an informative blog aimed at empowering individuals with the insights and inspiration they need to plan unforgettable events and elevate their culinary skills.
Thank you for considering Lucks Caterers as your partner in culinary excellence. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to collaborate with you and create unforgettable memories together.