Foolproof Ribs

Ribs are the all-time summer BBQ favorite – the first thing to hit the grill when the snow melts! However, getting them right on the first try can be tricky, so we created Poppamies’ foolproof ribs – a recipe that guarantees great results every time!

The first step is choosing the meatiest ribs possible. If the ribs are thin and the bones show through, it’s very difficult to get them juicy and satisfying. The most common types in Finland are Baby Back ribs and Spare ribs. Baby Backs are shorter and narrower, cut near the spine. They’re slightly more tender but often have less meat. Spare ribs are cut from lower down, longer and bigger. If you can’t find meaty Baby Backs, go for Spare ribs.

Once you’ve got your ribs, remove the membrane from the back. Some racks come pre-trimmed, but often it’s left on. Loosen the edge with a knife, grip with a piece of paper towel, and pull it off in one go.

Next, brush both sides of the ribs lightly with Poppamies American Classic Yellow mustard and sprinkle generously with Poppamies Burgers & Ribs RUB seasoning. The rub sticks better to the mustard, which also adds flavor. Let the rub moisten from the mustard and meat juices while you heat the grill or smoker.

Heat the grill or smoker for indirect heat to about 110°C. (Check out Poppamies Grillikoulu on YouTube if you need a refresher! (Only in Finnish)) Place the ribs on indirect heat with the thicker side facing the coals. Cook for about two hours with or without smoke. After the first hour, check the surface and mist with a little apple juice if needed to prevent drying.

After about two hours, once the ribs have taken on some nice color, wrap them in foil. First mist them with apple juice, then wrap tightly in foil. Return them to indirect heat and grill for another hour. The ribs are ready for finishing once the bones stick out about 1 cm more than when raw.

Raise the grill temperature to around 150°–200°C and place the unwrapped ribs back on indirect heat for about a minute. Brush them with Poppamies Smoky Hickory BBQ barbeque sauce and let the glaze set for a few minutes.

That’s how you make great ribs the easy way. There are many other methods, each with its fans. You can read more in the Poppamies article on rib cooking techniques!