There isn’t a common cut of meat called bacon ribs, but you can ask your butcher for them. How do you make them once you have them? We went to Gramercy Farmer
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Bacon ribs are a mouthwatering barbecue dish that brings together two quintessential flavors – pork ribs and smoky bacon. When properly prepared these ribs deliver an unbeatable combo of juicy, tender pork and crispy salty bacon. If you love classic barbecued ribs, taking them to the next level with bacon is a must-try experience.
In this guide we’ll cover everything you need to know about making your own bacon ribs at home. We’ll look at choosing the right ribs preparing and seasoning them, plus cooking methods and timing. We’ll also suggest amazing flavor combinations and side dishes to serve bacon ribs for perfect backyard barbecue meals. Let’s get started!
What Are Bacon Ribs?
Bacon ribs begin with racks of pork ribs – usually baby back or spare ribs. These ribs are coated in a dry rub seasoning, then wrapped entirely in raw bacon slices. The bacon-wrapped ribs are smoked or baked low and slow until perfectly tender
The bacon renders as the ribs cook, basting them in savory fat while creating a crispy, smoky bacon crust. This seals in the ribs’ natural juices while adding irresistible bacon flavor. The tender, juicy ribs pair perfectly with the salty, rich bacon for an incredible taste experience.
Choosing the Best Ribs for Bacon Wrapping
You can make bacon ribs with any type of pork ribs, but some work better than others. Here are tips for choosing ribs:
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Baby back ribs – Naturally tender and well-marbled with fat. Their shorter length makes them easy to wrap fully in bacon slices.
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St. Louis-style spare ribs – More connective tissue than baby backs, but trim them into shorter sections for bacon wrapping.
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Country-style ribs – These meaty ribs work excellently too. Opt for larger ribs to hold the bacon.
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Beef short ribs – Make amazing beef bacon ribs! Choose ribs at least 2 inches wide.
Preparing and Seasoning the Ribs
Proper prep and seasoning ensures ribs cook evenly while delivering maximum flavor:
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Remove membrane – Peel off the thin membrane from the bone side for tenderness.
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Trim excess fat – Leave about 1⁄4 inch of fat for moisture.
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Season generously – Coat all over with a dry rub (see flavor suggestions below).
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Refrigerate overnight – This lets the rub penetrate deeply.
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Bring to room temp – Before cooking, let ribs sit out for 30 minutes.
Wrapping Ribs in Bacon
Now comes the fun part – wrapping the seasoned ribs completely in bacon! Here are some tips:
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Use regular sliced bacon or thicker butcher-cut slices.
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Wrap bacon slices vertically around each bone.
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Overlap slices and tuck ends under to create full coverage.
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Try weaving for a decorative effect.
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Secure ends with toothpicks or butcher twine if needed.
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Refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up the bacon.
Cooking Methods and Techniques
Low and slow cooking is key for making bacon ribs. The ribs require hours of smoking or baking. Here are guidelines:
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Smoking – Maintain a temperature of 225°F to 275°F using indirect heat. Add soaked wood chips to the coals for flavor.
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Baking – Bake in the oven at 250°F. Place ribs meat-side up on a wire rack set inside a baking sheet to allow airflow.
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Time – Cook for 4-6 hours until ribs are extremely tender.
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Unwrap – Carefully remove bacon in the last 30 minutes if you want it extra crispy.
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Rest – Let ribs rest for 10-15 minutes before cutting and serving.
Flavor Profile Inspiration
One of the joys of bacon ribs is experimenting with exciting flavors. Consider these seasoning ideas:
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BBQ rub – Classic flavors like brown sugar, paprika, garlic and onion powders.
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Tex-Mex – Ancho chili powder, lime juice, cumin, oregano.
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Asian – Hoisin sauce, ginger, sesame oil, soy sauce.
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Coffee – Espresso powder, cocoa powder, brown sugar, chili powder.
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Applewood – Minced garlic, rosemary, dried apples, brown sugar.
Sides and Sauces for Serving
What are some tasty sides and sauces to complete your bacon rib plate?
Sides:
- Cornbread
- Coleslaw
- Baked beans
- Collard greens
- Corn on the cob
- Twice baked potatoes
- Mac and cheese
Sauces:
- BBQ sauce – Sweet, tangy, spicy styles.
- Alabama white sauce – Mayonnaise-based.
- Mustard sauce – Yellow or stoneground mustard.
- Bourbon sauce – Brown sugar and bourbon.
- Pepper jelly – For a sweet and spicy kick.
Serve bacon ribs on a platter with your favorite sides. Offer various sauces on the table so guests can find their perfect flavor combo. Then sit back and enjoy the incredible tastes of tender, juicy pork ribs wrapped in crispy, salty bacon perfection.
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There isn’t a common cut of meat called bacon ribs, but you can ask your butcher for them. How do you make them once you have them? We went to Gramercy Farmer
Watch the video above to learn the entire process!
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I Tried Making the Bacon Rib at Home
Are bacon ribs meaty?
Bacon ribs are cut from the loin of the bacon. Hence why they taste just like regular bacon. But because bacon ribs come from the loin, they are very meaty and you often feel like you get more meat from bacon ribs than you do from pork ribs. Best Way To Cook Bacon Ribs?
What is the reason for the pain in the ribs?
Pain in ribs can be due to various reasons including trauma (rib fracture), pulled muscle, joint inflammation, referred pain (liver, spleen, and lungs) and due to underlying undiagnosed auto-immune disorder.
What are smoked bacon ribs?
Smoked bacon ribs are a cut of meat that comes from the loin of the bacon. This means that they have a similar taste to regular bacon, but with a meatier texture. When cooked, these ribs offer the perfect combination of smoky bacon flavor and tender meat, making them a delicious alternative to traditional pork ribs.
What is bacon infused ribs?
What makes bacon infused ribs so delicious is how the bacon juice bastes the ribs, adding its smoky, salty goodness to the ribs, while helping to keep the pork moist and tender. The strips of bacon also make a great side dish. When the ribs have finished cooking, just cut the bacon in half and serve them with a little side of BBQ sauce for dipping.
What do bacon ribs look like?
Yet on texture bacon ribs just look like pork ribs. What Are Bacon Ribs? Bacon ribs are cut from the loin of the bacon. Hence why they taste just like regular bacon. But because bacon ribs come from the loin, they are very meaty and you often feel like you get more meat from bacon ribs than you do from pork ribs.
How to make crispy bacon ribs?
To make crispy bacon ribs, you can try brushing them with a glaze or sauce towards the end of cooking and then placing them back on the grill or under the broiler for a few minutes to crisp up the bacon. Another tip is to cook the ribs at a higher temperature for a shorter amount of time.