The Best Way To Season Pork Ribs For Maximum Flavor

Seasoning can make or break a good slice of meat. When it comes time to picking the perfect seasoning spices from your pantry, there are a few schools of thought, ranging from secret ingredient-packed family recipes to tried and true spice blends. We wanted to get insight into how the pros approach seasoning, so we talked to Aaron Franklin, pitmaster extraordinaire and owner of the Famous Franklin BBQ, to learn more about how he extracts maximum flavor from his pork ribs. If you are interested in learning the art of grilling and smoking from culinary legends, including Aaron Franklin, consider attending his master class and summit, Smoke & Fire, held in Mendoza, Argentina. This five-day event is held in partnership with The Vines Global and will begin on February 12, 2025.

When it comes to seasoning, Franklin recommends a focus on simplicity. "Salt to enhance the pork's natural flavor, pepper for texture, and something red to help the appearance," he said. "I use a mild paprika." When you only use simple seasonings like salt and pepper, you allow the flavor of the pork to really shine. It's also important to use high-quality cuts of meat when you take this route, ensuring that all of the savory flavors play well with the seasonings. He also has a tip for keeping the meat moist throughout the grilling process. "Spritz with apple cider vinegar for acidity and to keep the edges from drying out," Franklin suggested.

Grilling up a rack of pork ribs for a party doesn't have to be as intimidating as it sounds. You can produce a show-stopping rack on the grill by keeping a few tips in mind; For starters, keep an eye on the internal temperature when grilling your ribs. You want the internal temperature to hit between 180-190 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on the thickness of your rack, this should take between 1-2 hours over medium-low heat. Patience is key when it comes to grilling, so be sure to allow enough time to let your rack of ribs get to the right temperature. Overcooking will lead to a dried-out rack, and nobody wants that. 

When you've set your sights on making fall-off-the-bone tender pork ribs, keeping the seasoning simple will set you up with the perfect canvas. Also consider seasoning your pork ribs overnight to infuse as much flavor as possible before heading to the grill. This seasoning blend will taste incredible on its own, but if you like a saucy rib, try out the glaze featured in our barbecue baby back pork rib recipe.