How to get juicy ribs everytime?

Someone asked about this a month or two ago. Was that you possibly?

Ya know some people say that injecting ribs is a waste of time.....








I'm not one of those people!!!

I soak mine overnight in an applejuice, water, worchestershire mixture (after removing the membrane). Never had dry ribs... Many times I'll buy them by the case; so many aren't perfect by a long shot. Not dry though. I do foil, and I spritz them a little heavily before sealing the foil.

I can usually get a 3.5 lb St Louis slab to take AND HOLD 1-1/2 to 2 cups of injection. On comp days I wonder if I'll be able to time my cook perfectly. I wonder if the flavor profile will be what my table of judges wants. I never wonder if my ribs will be juicy!

Just a thought.

We don't inject or brine. Just season, cook, wrap, rest, done.
We do foil and we have a very specific timeline that we cook to every single competition. Ribs aren't ever dry. We've switched ribs a few times here and there, but everything else has remained the same for at least the last 20-25 comps.

I think the only thing that will yield any consistent results is complete consistency (as much as can be controlled). Once it starts working, don't change a thing.
As with the other meats, if you can work out how to cook the meat without anything (other than rub/seasoning) properly (read:juicy here), then cook it THAT way consistently. Then, adding injections, brines, etc are only going to enhance the flavor, moisture, tenderness, etc. I think that these things just widen a window of ideal conditions for moisture, tenderness, etc, anyway. If you have to rely on just the injection or brine or whatever and otherwise have trouble developing a juicy product (and I'm not saying that is what those that do inject or soak or brine are doing or can't otherwise cook without them) then you miss the mark and you'll likely struggle with things.

I'm just babbling now, but I'm saying that I think the cook is the most important thing about developing juicy ribs every time.

Wampus said:

We don't inject or brine. Just season, cook, wrap, rest, done.
We do foil and we have a very specific timeline that we cook to every single competition. Ribs aren't ever dry. We've switched ribs a few times here and there, but everything else has remained the same for at least the last 20-25 comps.

I think the only thing that will yield any consistent results is complete consistency (as much as can be controlled). Once it starts working, don't change a thing.
As with the other meats, if you can work out how to cook the meat without anything (other than rub/seasoning) properly (read:juicy here), then cook it THAT way consistently. Then, adding injections, brines, etc are only going to enhance the flavor, moisture, tenderness, etc. I think that these things just widen a window of ideal conditions for moisture, tenderness, etc, anyway. If you have to rely on just the injection or brine or whatever and otherwise have trouble developing a juicy product (and I'm not saying that is what those that do inject or soak or brine are doing or can't otherwise cook without them) then you miss the mark and you'll likely struggle with things.

I'm just babbling now, but I'm saying that I think the cook is the most important thing about developing juicy ribs every time.

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What? And you aren't going to share your timeline? :biggrin1:

You guys going to New Pal this weekend?

jmoney7269 said:

I think my biggest issue at the moment is getting quality ribs. Seems stores are going to this enhanced crap

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I can't use enhanced ribs... I've had very, VERY bad luck with these.

It's all about the intramuscular marbling within the rib is what makes them juicy... or you can inject or brine.

I know some people point to overcooking, but I've never had them dry, even when I've boiled them too long. :noidea:

edit: sorry, I thought this was the penalty subforum, where they cover this in detail. :doh:

Boiling helps. No penalty, no foul that I see. lol Keith

When boiling, how much liquid smoke do you use?

:crazy:uke:

Lake Dogs said:

When boiling, how much liquid smoke to you use?

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Lake Dogs said:

When boiling, how much liquid smoke do you use?

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I think you smoke to taste. I thought the major question that was left unanswered is whether to wrap before or after. :noidea: