Ingredients:
- 2 racks of baby back ribs
- 1 cup barbecue sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Aluminum foil
Instructions:
- Prepare the Ribs:
- If you have access to a kitchen before your camping trip, it’s best to prepare the ribs in advance. Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs for better tenderness and flavor. Simply slide a knife under the membrane and peel it off.
- In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to create a dry rub for the ribs.
- Rub the dry rub mixture evenly over both sides of the ribs. Wrap the ribs tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to marinate.
- Prepare the Campfire:
- Build a campfire and let it burn down to create a bed of hot coals. You’ll be cooking the ribs over the coals, so you don’t want a roaring flame.
- Wrap the Ribs:
- Lay out two long pieces of heavy-duty aluminum foil, each large enough to wrap one rack of ribs.
- Place one rack of ribs on each piece of foil.
- Drizzle barbecue sauce evenly over each rack of ribs.
- Wrap the ribs tightly in the foil, creating a packet that seals completely.
- Cook the Ribs:
- Place the foil-wrapped ribs on the hot coals of the campfire. Ensure they are positioned on the coals, not in direct contact with open flames.
- Cook the ribs for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, turning the packets occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Check for Doneness:
- After about 45 minutes, carefully open one of the foil packets and check the ribs for doneness. They should be tender and easily pull apart.
- If they’re not done to your liking, reseal the foil packet and continue cooking for another 15-30 minutes, checking periodically.
- You can easily check your meat for doneness with a good meat thermometer.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Once the ribs are tender and cooked to perfection, remove them from the campfire.
- Carefully open the foil packets (they will be hot) and transfer the ribs to a serving platter.
- Serve your campfire ribs with extra barbecue sauce on the side for dipping, and enjoy your delicious outdoor meal!
This campfire ribs recipe is sure to be a hit during your camping trip. The slow cooking method over hot coals infuses the ribs with a smoky flavor, making them incredibly tasty and tender.