Marinating bbq ribs before cooking infuses them with extra flavor and moisture, resulting in more delicious ribs. With the right marinade and technique, you can take your ribs from good to exceptional. We will walk you through everything you need to know to create mouthwatering marinated bbq ribs.
Why Marinate Ribs?
Marinating ribs prior to cooking provides several key benefits:
- Enhances flavor – The spices, herbs, acids, oils, and other ingredients in a marinade penetrate into the meat, adding lots of extra flavor. This takes the ribs to the next level compared to unmarinated ribs.
- Increases tenderness – Marinades contain acids like vinegar, wine, yogurt, or fruit juices that help tenderize ribs by breaking down tough collagen fibers. The longer you marinate, the more tender the ribs.
- Adds moisture – Wet marinades help keep ribs juicy and moist during cooking by infusing the meat with extra moisture. The sugars and salt also help retain moisture.
- Forms a crust – As the marinade cooks onto the surface of the ribs, it forms a tasty browned crust or glaze on the exterior.
- Complements smoke – For smoked ribs, marinating provides a flavor base that perfectly complements the smoky flavor.
So take the time to marinate ribs, and you’ll be rewarded with finger-licking results!
Choosing a Marinade
You can buy pre-made marinades or easily whip up your own. When making your own marinade, think about including these elements:
Acidic Liquid
The acidic liquid forms the base and works to tenderize the ribs. Good choices include:
- Vinegar – cider, wine, rice wine, balsamic
- Fruit juice – orange, lemon, lime, pineapple, apple
- Dairy – buttermilk, yogurt
- Wine
- Beer
Oil
The oil helps the marinade coat the meat and prevents it from drying out. Opt for flavorful oils like:
- Olive oil
- Coconut oil
- Avocado oil
- Nut oils like walnut or hazelnut
Seasonings
Seasonings add lots of flavor. Consider:
- Fresh herbs – rosemary, thyme, oregano, cilantro
- Spices – garlic, onion, paprika, chili powder
- Mustard
- Soy sauce
- Honey
- Salt
- Pepper
- Spice blends like jerk, barbecue rub, Italian dressing mix
Texture
For delicious texture, add:
- Minced garlic or onions
- Grated ginger or citrus zest
- Pureed fruits like pineapple, mango, or peach
- Chopped herbs
- Spices
How Long to Marinate Ribs
For the best results, marinate ribs in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours and up to overnight. Here are general marinating times:
- 2-4 hours – Provides good flavor and tenderness
- 6-12 hours – Enough time for great flavor infusion without the meat getting too soft
- Overnight – Maximizes tenderizing effects, best for tough cuts
Longer marinating times are better for tougher meat cuts. Quick marinating works well for tender baby back ribs. Avoid marinating for more than 24 hours, as the acids can start to break down the meat texture.
Marinade Ratio
Use about 1⁄2 to 1 cup of marinade per 1 pound of ribs. Make sure the ribs are well coated in the marinade – this ensures maximum coverage and prevents dry spots. Pour remaining marinade into a bowl to use for basting later on.
Marinating Methods
There are a few techniques for getting the marinade onto the ribs:
Marinate in a Bag
Place ribs and marinade in a zip top bag. Push out excess air, seal, and massage to evenly distribute marinade. This is a no-mess method that keeps all the flavor contained.
Marinate in a Dish
Arrange ribs in a glass baking dish or plastic container. Pour marinade over top and flip halfway through marinating to coat both sides. Cover with plastic wrap. The ribs will be fully exposed to marinade.
Inject the Marinade
Use an injection syringe to inject marinade deep into the meat for maximum flavor infusion. Inject in several places.
Soak in Marinade
For bone-in spare ribs, submerge ribs in a large container of marinade, weighing them down to keep submerged. Soaking provides full coverage.
No matter which method you use, flip and rotate the ribs in the marinade a few times for even coverage.
Best Marinade Containers
Choose non-reactive containers that won’t react with acidic ingredients in the marinade:
- Glass baking dish
- Stainless steel bowl
- Plastic zip top bags or plastic container
- Ceramic dish
- Non-reactive metal pan
Avoid aluminum, copper, cast iron, and reactive metals that can impart a metallic taste. Ensure containers are big enough to hold ribs flat in a single layer.
Marinating Tips
Follow these tips for perfect marinated ribs every time:
- Trim off any excess fat to allow marinade to better penetrate
- Pat ribs dry before marinating so the marinade sticks better
- Make slits in the membrane for faster marinade absorption
- Chill ribs in the refrigerator while marinating
- Turn ribs a few times during marinating
- Save excess marinade to baste ribs while cooking
Now that you know how to marinate ribs for maximum flavor, it’s time to cook up some mouthwatering bbq ribs!
How to Marinate Different Cuts of Ribs
The method for marinating ribs differs slightly depending on the cut.
Baby Back Ribs
- Trim off membrane
- Apply dry rub
- Place in zip top bag with marinade
- Marinate 6-12 hours, flipping occasionally
Baby backs are naturally tender so benefit from a shorter marinating time to prevent over softening. Dry rubbing before marinating adds flavor layering.
Spare Ribs
- Remove membrane
- Poke holes all over ribs
- Soak in large container of marinade, weighing down
- Marinate 12-24 hours
The marinade really needs time to work into the thicker, tougher meat on spare ribs. Poking helps it penetrate deep. Submerging in marinade ensures even coverage.
Country Style Ribs
- Inject marinade into meat
- Place in baking dish, pour over marinade
- Marinate 8-12 hours
- Drain, pat dry, then coat with rub
With country style ribs, injecting maximizes marinade delivery. Draining after marinating allows you to add a flavorful dry rub before cooking too.
Short Ribs
- Score surface lightly before marinating
- Place in large zip top bag with marinade
- Marinate 24-48 hours, flipping occasionally
- Drain marinade, pat dry
Scoring the thick short ribs allows better marinade penetration. Give them a lengthy marinating time to properly tenderize the tough meat.
9 Delicious Marinade Recipes
With endless possibilities, here are 9 all-star marinade recipes to use on your next racks of ribs:
1. Basic BBQ Marinade
The classic barbecue flavored marinade for perfect smoked ribs.
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 1⁄4 cup brown sugar
- 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tbsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1⁄2 tsp cayenne pepper
2. Whiskey Marinade
For finger-licking ribs with a kiss of whiskey flavor.
- 1 cup apple juice
- 1⁄2 cup whiskey
- 1⁄4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
3. Asian Marinade
An umami-rich Asian marinade that tenderizes ribs beautifully.
- 1⁄2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1⁄4 cup rice vinegar
- 1⁄4 cup water
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp minced ginger
- 1 tbsp chili garlic sauce
- 2 tsp five spice powder
4. Jamaican Jerk Marinade
Infuse ribs with spicy, smoky Jamaican jerk flavors.
- 1⁄2 cup pineapple juice
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp white vinegar
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp jerk seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp allspice
- 1⁄2 tsp cinnamon
- 1⁄2 tsp nutmeg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
5. Mediterranean Herb Marinade
A herby marinade with Mediterranean flavors.
- 1⁄2 cup olive oil
- 1⁄4 cup lemon juice
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp dried oregano
- 2 tbsp dried basil
- 1 tbsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
6. Korean BBQ Marinade
For ribs with a touch of Korean BBQ flavor.
- 1⁄4 cup soy sauce
- 1⁄4 cup rice wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp minced ginger
- 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tsp black pepper
7. Beer Marinade
Beer gives these ribs an incredible depth of flavor.
- 1 cup beer
- 1⁄4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
8. Memphis Dry Rub Marinade
Get authentic Memphis bbq flavor with this special dry rub marinade.
- 1⁄4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1⁄2 tsp cayenne pepper
9. Hawaiian Huli Huli Marinade
For ribs with a taste of the islands.
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1⁄4 cup soy sauce
- 1⁄4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp minced ginger
- 1 tsp black pepper
Cooking Marinated Ribs
Marinated ribs can be cooked using various methods. Follow these tips:
Grilling – Grill over medium indirect heat for 1-2 hours until tender, basting with marinade. Finish over direct heat to caramelize the glaze.
Smoking – For smoked ribs, apply a dry rub before marinating. Smoke at 225-250°F for 4-6 hours, spritzing with apple juice. Wrap in foil then return to the smoker 1-2 hours until tender.
Baking – Bake in a 300°F oven for 2-3 hours until tender, basting with reserved marinade every 30 minutes. Broil at the end to caramelize.
Pressure Cooking – Pressure cook marinated ribs for 30-40 minutes until fall off the bone tender. Finish under the broiler.
Slow Cooking – For pull-apart ribs, slow cook on LOW for 6-8 hours until super tender.
No matter which cooking method you use, marinating infuses ribs with finger-licking flavor. Now get ready to wow everyone with your melt-in-the-mouth marinated bbq ribs!
Frequently Asked Questions About Marinated Ribs
1. Should ribs be marinated before smoking?
Yes, marinating before smoking provides great benefits. The marinade tenderizes the ribs and adds a flavor base that perfectly complements the smoke. Apply a dry rub first to help the smoke adhere.
2. Do you need to remove the membrane before marinating?
It’s best to remove the membrane first, which allows the marinade to better penetrate the meat. Use a knife to carefully slice it off.
3. What’s the best way to apply a dry rub to marinated ribs?
After marinating, pat the ribs dry then generously apply the dry rub, pressing it onto the meat. Let it sit for about 30 minutes before cooking.
4. Is it ok to reuse leftover marinade?
Don’t reuse marinade that has touched raw ribs due to contamination risk. Use new marinade each time.
5. How can you speed up marinating?
injecting marinade speeds up delivery to the middle of the meat. Pound ribs with a meat mallet to break down fibers. Or marinate in a vacuum sealed bag which forces marinade into the meat.
6. How do you keep ribs moist when cooking?
Use reserved marinade to frequently baste ribs when cooking. Cook at a low temperature. Wrapping ribs in foil during cooking helps keep moisture in. Don’t overcook.
7. Why soak ribs in water before marinating?
Soaking in water can help remove impurities and draw out some of the blood. Pat dry thoroughly before marinating so the marinade sticks.
8. What temperature should marinated ribs be cooked to?
Cook until ribs reach an internal temperature of 195-205°F for fall off the bone tender ribs. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness.
9. Can you marinate for too long?
Yes, over 24 hours the marinade can start to break down the texture of the ribs. Stick within the recommended marinating times for perfect results.
Conclusion
Marinating is a simple way to bring exceptional depth of flavor to your bbq ribs. With the right marinade and technique, ribs become perfectly tender and juicy with a delicious seasoned crust. Experiment with different marinades like whiskey, beer, or Hawaiian to give the ribs your signature flair. Apply the marinade correctly and give it enough time to work its magic. Follow the recipe tips above for your best racks of marinated ribs yet that will have everyone begging for more.