How to Wrap Ribs in Foil Like a Pitmaster? 

Wrapping ribs in foil is a crucial step when it comes to grilling. In my experience, the better the wrap, the more tender and flavorful the meat. 

Over the years, I’ve mastered the art of wrapping tender ribs snugly inside aluminum foil. Today, I’ll show you how I do it. The technique involves placing the meat in the center of the foil and folding the edges of the foil inward to properly cradle the tender ribs. Read on as I dive into the details.

How Do You Wrap Ribs in Aluminum Foil?

Simply put the ribs meat in foil, seal the foil tightly, and bake or grill them. 

I recommend baking your spare ribs once you wrap it in foil. Remember, it’s best to avoid using butcher paper, except during emergencies, because the material isn’t as flexible as foil. 

The Wrapping and Cooking Process

Wrapping your ribs in foil is also known as the Texas crutch cooking method. Use the following instructions:

1. Preheat your oven all the way up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit (120°C).
2. Place the ribs on a sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil, with the meaty side up.
3. Sprinkle the ribs with your desired seasonings, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
4. Add any additional ingredients, such as BBQ sauce or chopped onions and garlic.
5. Seal the foil tightly around the rack of ribs. Lay a sufficient piece of foil and place the ribs in the center. Then, fold the foil on all sides till it properly covers the meat. Make sure there are no holes or tears in the heavy-duty foil to prevent the juices from escaping.
6. Place the foil-wrapped ribs in a baking dish or on a baking sheet.
7. Bake the ribs in the preheated oven and cook till the meat’s internal temperature is 145 °F. You can check the meat’s temperature using a meat thermometer. Simply stick the thermometer through the foil and into the meat to read the temperature. 
8. Remove the tender ribs from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes. Then remove the rendered fat and serve.

Related Reading

• When to Wrap Pork Butt: A Timing Guide

How Long to Wrap Ribs in Foil?

Whether it’s pork ribs or pork butt, this should be between 2 and 3 hours.

For ribs cooked at a low temperature in the oven or on the grill, I recommend wrapping them in foil and cook them for 2-3 hours. This will allow the ribs to become tender and easily pull away from the bones.

If you prefer your ribs to be more well-done, you may need to cook them for longer. In general, it is best to check the ribs every hour or so to ensure that they cook evenly and to monitor their tenderness.

You can test the tenderness by using a fork to gently pull on a rib. If the ribs easily fall off the bone, they are likely ready to be removed from the foil.

It’s important to note that the cooking time for ribs will also depend on the size and thickness of the meat. Larger, thicker ribs may require additional cooking time to become tender.

Do You Wrap Ribs Meat Side Up or Down?

When wrapping ribs in aluminum foil, it is generally recommended to place the ribs meat side up.

Placing the ribs meaty side down may result in the meat becoming dry and tough, as the juices will not be able to reach the surface of the meat.

Additionally, the ribs may not cook evenly if the meaty side is facing down, as the heat will not penetrate the thick layer of fat and connective tissue on the underside of the back ribs.

Of course, it is important to follow the specific instructions for the recipe you are using. Some recipes may call for them to be placed in a particular position when wrapped in foil.

Related Reading

• The Ultimate Guide: Should You Grill Ribs Bone Up or Down?

What Do You Put in Foil When Wrapping Ribs?

You can put BBQ sauce, chopped onion, seasonings, and some liquid.

There are a variety of ingredients you can add to the foil when wrapping ribs to enhance their flavor and add moisture. I love adding the following:

• BBQ sauce or other marinades: Adding a layer of barbecue sauce or other marinades to the ribs before wrapping them in heavy-duty foil can help to keep the ribs moist and add flavor.
• Chopped onions and garlic: Adding chopped onions and garlic to the foil can add depth of flavor to the ribs and help to keep them moist as they cook.
• Seasonings: Sprinkling the ribs with your favorite seasonings, such as salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder, brown sugar, can help to add flavor to the meat.
• Liquid: Including a small amount of liquid, such as water, broth, apple juice or cider vinegar in the foil package can help keep the ribs moist and prevent them from drying out as they cook.

It is important to note that you shouldn’t add too much liquid to the foil package, as this can cause the ribs to become soggy.

Instead, add just enough liquid to create a moist environment for the ribs to cook in.

Conclusion

Wrapping ribs in aluminum foil is easy. You can also do this for smoking ribs like baby back ribs.