To make sure that ribs turn out perfect, you often have to grill them for a fair bit. Depending on the temperature outside, this can end up drying out the ribs pretty quickly.
No matter how perfectly you grilled the ribs, if they end up being dry, they aren’t going to be that good to eat. This is one of the reasons why it is so important for you to remember to periodically moisten the ribs. Thankfully, this is pretty easily done.
The easiest way to make sure that ribs stay moist is to simply introduce moisture to them. The simplest way to do this is with a spray bottle.
Every so often, generally around every 20 to 30 minutes, you will want to use the spray bottle on the ribs so that they retain some degree of moisture.
However, you shouldn’t use just plain water, as this can be detrimental to your recipe. Instead, there are a fair few other liquids that can get the job done while also adding some flavor to the ribs.
What Liquid Should You Use to Hydrate the Ribs?
There are several different types of liquids that people use to moisten their ribs, and some people will even go so far as to use a combination of these liquids.
Which one you ultimately choose will depend on the seasonings you use and what overarching flavor you want your ribs to have.
Some people like to keep things on the fancier side by using bourbon to moisten the ribs. When you are working over open flame, you will generally want to be a little bit careful about using bourbon, but when it is mixed into other liquids, it will generally be fine.
Bourbon can go well with the smoke and create a unique flavor profile that many people can appreciate.
Other people prefer to keep things simple. Sometimes, a small step above plain water is all that is really necessary, and it’s a good thing that apple juice is relatively inexpensive.
Apple juice often works well with the smoke from the grill or smoker that you are using, and it is one of the most common go-tos for keeping meats of all different kinds moist.
If you are in doubt, you can probably assume that apple juice is a safe bet. If you want to be extra careful about the flavor, you can go a step further and use diluted apple juice instead.
There are even some people who will go in the opposite direction and will instead choose something tangier. Another common solution that people use is a combination of water and apple cider vinegar.
The vinegar provides that same type of flavor profile with a slight tanginess added to the mix. Although, depending on how much water you mix into the vinegar, you might not notice any tang at all.
Which One Is Best for You?
Unfortunately, there is no guide on which one is going to be the best solution to keeping your ribs moist and delicious.
The best way to figure it out for yourself is to take the time to experiment and see if they alter the flavor of the ribs at all, and if they do, if it’s something that you like.
By deciding to take the time and see how much these methods affect your ribs, you can be even more certain that at the end of the day, your ribs will turn out exactly how you want them to be.
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
--
If you want more backyard tips including recipes, how-tos and more, make sure you subscribe to my youtube channel