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Easy Grilled St. Louis Style Ribs Recipe

Grilled St. Louis Style Ribs

Enjoy flavorful and tender St. Louis style ribs with a simple dry rub, perfect for backyard BBQ without long cooking times.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 3 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, BBQ
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Dry Rub
  • 1 cup Brown sugar For sweetness and caramelized crust
  • 2 tablespoons Paprika For color and smoky flavor
  • 1 tablespoon Garlic powder For savory depth
  • 1 tablespoon Onion powder For savory depth
  • 1 tablespoon Salt For balance
  • 1 teaspoon Black pepper For bite
  • 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne pepper Optional for heat
For the Ribs
  • 1 rack St. Louis style ribs Trimmed spare ribs
  • 1 tablespoon Yellow mustard or oil To help rub stick
For Serving
  • to taste BBQ sauce Use a sweet and smoky variety

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Prepare the ribs by removing the membrane from the back.
  2. Pat the ribs dry and coat with mustard or oil.
  3. Mix all dry rub ingredients in a bowl and generously apply on the ribs.
Grilling
  1. Preheat the grill to 275-300 degrees F using indirect heat.
  2. Place ribs on the grill away from the flames and close the lid.
  3. Cook for 1.5 to 2 hours, do not disturb.
  4. Optionally, wrap the ribs in foil for the next 45 to 60 minutes for tenderness.
  5. Unwrap if wrapped, brush with BBQ sauce, and grill for an additional 15 to 30 minutes using direct heat.
Finishing
  1. Check ribs for tenderness and internal temperature of 195-203 degrees F.
  2. Let the ribs rest for about 10 minutes after grilling before slicing.

Notes

For serving, brush on additional BBQ sauce during the last 15-25 minutes of grilling to prevent burning. Ribs can be paired with sides such as coleslaw or cornbread. Store leftovers in the fridge and reheat gently.