Wrapping baby back ribs during cooking helps to tenderize them and retain moisture, preventing them from drying out. Here's a guide on how to effectively wrap your ribs:
Step-by-Step Guide to Wrapping Ribs
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Preparation: Lay out a large sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil, ensuring it's big enough to completely wrap the ribs. |
| 2 | Placement: Position the ribs meat side down on the middle half of the foil. |
| 3 | Adding Flavor & Moisture: This is where you can customize your ribs. Add ingredients like butter, brown sugar, honey, apple juice, BBQ sauce, or your favorite rub underneath and on top of the ribs. |
| 4 | Bone Protection: Take a small length of foil and carefully wrap the exposed bones to prevent them from poking through the main foil wrapping. Smooth out sharp corners of the bone covering to avoid tearing the wrap. |
| 5 | Wrapping: Bring the long sides of the foil together and fold over several times to create a tight seal. Then, fold in the ends to completely enclose the ribs. Make sure the foil is sealed tight to trap the moisture. |
Why Wrap Ribs?
- Moisture Retention: Wrapping prevents moisture from escaping, resulting in juicier ribs.
- Tenderization: Steaming the ribs in the foil helps break down tough connective tissues, making them more tender.
- Flavor Infusion: Wrapping allows the flavors you added (e.g., brown sugar, honey) to penetrate deeper into the meat.
Tips for Wrapping Ribs
- Heavy-Duty Foil: Always use heavy-duty foil to prevent tearing.
- Tight Seal: Ensure a tight seal to trap moisture and prevent leaks.
- Avoid Punctures: As the provided reference mentions, be careful of sharp bone edges piercing the foil, which could cause the ribs to dry out or even turn black in those spots.
