How to Make The Most Tender Chipotle Grilled Ribs

by Alli

This shop, Chipotle Grilled Ribs, has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #GetGrillingAmerica #CollectiveBias

It’s officially grilling season! Actually, here in the south, we grill all year long. However, once spring and summer arrive, we grill most days of the week. Memorial Day Weekend is right around the corner and the hubs and I are grilling up Tender Chipotle Grilled Ribs for our patriotic party. The chipotle rub has only four ingredients and I’m sure you have three of them hanging out in your pantry.

It is time to get the grill out and grill some tender, chipotle ribs! Don't be intimidated by ribs. They are so easy to grill and my chipotle rub adds the right amount of flavor. Your family will love these grilled ribs.

My husband and I love to cook together, especially when it comes to grilling. I usually mix up the marinade and work on the sides like coleslaw and grilled corn-on-the-cob while he gets the grill going.

If you’ve always been a little unsure about grilling ribs, put your worries aside. It’s one of the easiest things to cook and your Memorial Day guests will all agree that you’re the hostess with the mostess!

Chipotle Grilled Ribs

Let’s Make Tender Chipotle Grilled Ribs

Whenever I’m preparing to get my grill on, the first stop is Walmart to grab a slab or three of Smithfield Pork Back Ribs. Smithfield® is always my go-to for ribs because they are hand-trimmed, extra tender and juicy. Knowing that there’s no added hormones or steroids makes me feel good about serving Smithfield Fresh Pork.

While I’m at Walmart shopping for Memorial Day, I also pick up Kingsford Charcoal because we like to grill our ribs on the charcoal grill. Since I’m out of chipotle peppers in adobe sauce and KC Masterpiece BBQ Sauce (a family fave), I grab these items and I’m good to go.

Chipotle Grilled Ribs

 

Chipotle Rub

Dice the chipotle peppers and mix with brown sugar, chili pepper, and salt. Be sure and coat both sides of the ribs with the chipotle mixture and refrigerate for 2-4 hours. Remove the ribs from the fridge 30 minutes before grilling.

Chipotle Grilled Ribs - How to Make the Rub

How to Grill Ribs

I don’t like using lighter fluid, so I buy Kingsford® Match Light®.

Kingsford Match Light - Chipotle Grilled Ribs

Remove the grill grates. Add the charcoal briquets and light with a match. Easy, peasy!

How to Make Chipotle Grilled Ribs

Helpful Hint: Your grill is ready for the ribs when the charcoal briquets are covered with gray ash.

My husband likes to add his trusty pan of water next to the charcoal. He says it improves the flavor of the ribs and keeps the temperature down. Since he thinks he’s the king of the grill, I go along with it. However, you don’t have to use a pan of water.

Chipotle Grilled Ribs

Add Smithfield® ribs and grill, covered, for approximately 2-2-1/2 hours. Ribs are done at 180-190° F when checked with an instant-read thermometer.

Chipotle Grilled Ribs

How to Make The Most Tender Chipotle Grilled Ribs

Chipotle Grilled Ribs

Ingredients

  • 3 Chipotle Peppers in Adobe Sauce, diced
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Smithfield Pork Back Ribs

Instructions

  1. Two to four hours before you plan to grill, mix together the chipotle peppers, brown sugar, chili powder and salt.
  2. Coat the ribs on both sides with the chipotle mixture and place in the fridge for 2-4 hours. Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before grilling.
  3. Once the charcoal is covered with gray ash, place the ribs on the grill. Cover.
  4. Turn occasionally and cook for 2 to 2-1/2 hours or until ribs are tender on the inside and crispy on the outside (180-190º on instant read thermometer)

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If you’re looking for a different twist on Chipotle Ribs, check out this video by Tuffy Stone. I’m looking forward to trying his recipe ASAP.

It’s definitely grilling season at my house. Be sure and visit Smithfield’s Get Grilling America site.   Check out the opportunity to win $5,000 cash plus multiple prizes throughout the summer.

How to Grill Ribs - Chipotle Grilled Ribs

How will you get your grill on during the Memorial Day Weekend?

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