The football season is in full swing, and it’s time to dust off those crowd-pleasing recipes for the big games. Today, we’re diving into a recipe that’s sure to be a hit at your next gathering—Party Ribs, perfect for serving a hungry crowd. Whether you’re hosting a small group or catering to a large crowd, this recipe will make you the MVP of game day cooking.
I’m Gordon Ramsay from Cooking For Profit, and today, I’m sharing a tried-and-true method for making ribs that will impress your friends and family. We’re cooking up 180 party ribs for 60 people, but don’t worry—I’ve got the recipe scaled down if you’re cooking for a smaller group.
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What Are Party Ribs?
You might be wondering, what exactly are party ribs? Instead of cooking a whole rack of ribs, party ribs are individual single-bone servings, making them easy to grab and perfect for serving at parties. This method allows for maximum flavor, as each rib is coated with delicious rub and sauce on all sides.
Prepping the Ribs
For this recipe, we’re using pork loin back ribs, which we picked up from Costco in convenient three-packs. One of the best things about these ribs is that the membrane has already been removed, so you can skip that step and get straight to the fun part—cooking!
Here’s how to prep your ribs:
- Cutting: Slice between the bones to create individual rib portions. A good boning knife will make this task much easier.
- Seasoning: Lay out some wide aluminum foil on your counter and season each rib on all four sides with your favorite barbecue rub. If you’re using a sugary rub, go heavy. For a salt-forward rub, a light, even coat will do.
Firing Up the Grill
We’re cooking these ribs on an Outlaw Renegade trailer smoker, built by Jay Craig and his team up in Menone, Indiana. This beast has a 30×60-inch cooking surface, and we’re using every inch of it.
Here’s how to get started:
- Pit Temperature: Run the smoker between 275°F and 300°F.
- Rib Placement: Stand the ribs on their sides on the grate. This way, when you flip them during the cook, you won’t end up with meat-side-down ribs, which can lead to uneven cooking.
Cooking the Ribs
Once the ribs are on the grill, it’s time to let them cook. After about 45 minutes, it’s time to flip them. The most challenging part of this cook is turning each individual rib on a large grill surface, especially when wearing thick rubber gloves. But trust me, the awkwardness is worth it!
After flipping:
- Cooking Time: Let the ribs cook for another 50 minutes.
- Make the Sauce: While the ribs are cooking, whip up your favorite barbecue sauce. If you need a recipe, check out our collection on Cooking For Profit.
The Secret to Tender Ribs: Wrapping and Resting
After about 1 hour and 45 minutes, your ribs should be looking deliciously golden and ready for the next step—wrapping them up with a few secret ingredients.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Butter: About 1.5 sticks of Kerry Gold butter per pan.
- Brown Sugar: Two generous handfuls.
- Honey: Approximately ½ cup per pan.
- Barbecue Sauce: Three ladles of your homemade or favorite sauce.
Place the ribs in aluminum foil trays, add the ingredients, and mix them well to ensure every rib is coated. Cover the trays with foil and place them back on the grill.
Final Cooking: Raise the temperature to 350°F to build up steam inside the trays, which will help achieve that fall-off-the-bone tenderness. You’re looking for an internal temperature between 200°F and 208°F.
Scaling Down the Recipe
If you’re not feeding a crowd of 60, here’s how to adjust the recipe for a smaller group:
- One Rack of Ribs: Use about ¼ stick of butter, ¼ cup of brown sugar, 3 tablespoons of honey, and 1 ladle of barbecue sauce.
- Cooking Time: One rack wrapped in foil should be done in about an hour at 275°F to 300°F.
Game Day Perfection
Party ribs are the ultimate game-day food—they’re easy to grab, packed with flavor, and perfect for feeding a crowd. The best part? Every side of each rib is coated with that mouthwatering barbecue rub and sauce, something you don’t get with a whole rack.
So, the next time you’re hosting a game day party or heading to a tailgate, give these party ribs a try. Your guests will thank you, and you’ll be the star of the show. Remember, life’s better when we cook together, so gather your tribe and get grilling!
With football season upon us, we’d love to hear from you—what’s your go-to recipe for game day? Whether it’s a tailgate, a backyard party, or just hanging out with friends, share your favorite recipes in the comments below. Let’s create a playbook of winning dishes that everyone can enjoy this season.
Happy grilling!
