Rib barbecue recipes are perhaps the most furtive to get your hands on. Many champion barbecue pit masters are coy about relinquishing their secrets, whether about technique or ingredients, but they say both aspects are crucial in creating that perfect, award-winning rack.

According to Bill Starks, a Texas BBQ recipes ribs champion, smoking ribs for 17 hours over a wood fire is the only way to cook them. The ingredients of his BBQ recipes rib sauce are, of course, a secret. You must also be familiar with the techniques that keep the meat juicy and delicious.

barbecue cooking
Several Kansas City authors and chefs share some tips to make your ribs barbecue recipes turn out. To prepare the ribs, “Peel the membrane from the back side of the ribs for better flavor and tenderness,” says Karen Adler.

You’ll know the meat is done when you can twist the meat right off the bone, she adds. Ardie A. Davis, who holds a Doctor of Barbecue Philosophy Degree, advises that you focus on basic cooking techniques more than seasoning and specific BBQ recipes ribs.

“Once you’ve tasted things in what I call a more primal way, you’re going to be fussy about what you should add to that,” he explains. Additionally, he advises using patience while cooking, as the most delicious meals can take up to 12 hours to make. When flare-ups occur, “don’t battle them,” Davis warns.

Instead, move food to a cool zone on the grill. Judith Fertig says not to worry incessantly whether something is done or not. “If you leave it on too long, there’s nothing you can do to rescue it,” she warns.

stone barbecues
Now that you know the techniques for BBQ recipes ribs and pork, you can try one of the tested rib barbecue recipes from Big Bob Gibson, the preferred pit master of celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse. First, you’ll need to slide a knife under the rib membrane to separate the two bones and get a more tender slab of ribs.

Next you’ll need to mix together a rub comprised of 1 cup of dark brown sugar, 1/2 cup of garlic salt, 1/3 cup of onion salt, 1/2 cup of paprika, 2 tablespoons of chili powder, 1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper, 1.5 teaspoons of ground cumin and 1 teaspoon of black pepper, and shaking the rub onto the front and back of the slab, then gently patting the ingredients into the meat.

Heat your grill or pit to 225 degrees. You can use barbecues charcoal grills, gas grills and wood chips like hickory, oak or cherry apple. Place the ribs meat side up and cook for 3 hours. Then spray the ribs with a cup of apple juice for more flavor and cook another 2 hours until ribs easily separate.

Apply a generous coat of BBQ sauce to both sides, comprised of 2 cups of ketchup, 2/3 cups of dark brown sugar, 1/2 cup of distilled vinegar, 1/2 cup of water, 2 tablespoons of honey, 4 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce, 4 teaspoons of liquid smoke, 2 teaspoons of garlic powder, 2 teaspoons of onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper and 1/8 teaspoon of celery seed. Cook 15 minutes and serve up your delicious creation!

BBQ recipes rib
There are a number of sites offering barbecue cooking . At www.abcnews.com, you can search ribs BBQ recipes from trusted, celebrity chefs if you’re looking for something that’s been tested, tried and true.

After all, everyone’s taste buds are different and some cooks are blander than others, so starting with a legendary recipe could give you the confidence to keep pursuing your quest for the perfect ribs. You may even be tempted to throw in the towel and buy a rack from your favorite local BBQ joint.