Don’t Skip Ina Garten’s Pro Tip The Next Time You Make Ribs

There are few cooks as comforting to watch as Ina Garten. Her television show Barefoot Contessa serves two purposes: The first is to give home cooks fantastic recipes and cooking tricks to elevate their skills in the kitchen, and the second is to offer an ASMR-level of relaxation. Anyone who’s ever watched her not only instantly recognizes she has some serious kitchen skills, but the gentle and delicate way she goes about explaining her process lulls viewers into a deep, hypnotic trance. Even if you aren’t interested in cooking at all, do yourself a favor and throw on an episode of her show after a long day at work. You’ll find you sink deep into your couch while her soothing voice whisks you away to dreamland.

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Of course, most people aren’t just watching to relax. Her television show and numerous cookbooks are packed with terrific tips, tricks, and shortcuts so you can feel like a pro while you prepare a meal. So, with summer still in effect, we wanted to highlight one specific trick Ina uses for ribs that everyone should implement at their next cookout. Queen Ina has spoken, and it’s in our best interest to listen up attentively. 

Ina Garten Knows Ribs, So Listen Up

This tip is perfect for anyone who loves making ribs but always finds the rack dried out when it comes off the grill. The best part of biting into a rib is those rich and savory run-down-your-chin juices, so when you fail to deliver those at your backyard barbecue, it’s a huge bummer. But, of course, Ina Garten knows exactly how to keep those juices locked in tighter than Alcatraz and the best part is that it’s so easy to do.

This trick is a two-step process that truly seals in flavor. Before the ribs ever hit the grill, Ina recommends cooking them in the oven until they’re juicy and fall-off-the-bone tender. So, the cooking process is already finished by the time the grill comes into play. All you do is finish the rack briefly on the grill so each rib gets a wallop of that smoky flavor everyone knows and loves. And, the best part is that you can cook the ribs in the oven hours before anyone arrives, which saves a ton of prep work. Cook them early, store them in the fridge, and then throw them on the grill later on when everyone starts getting hungry. This is exactly why we love Ina Garten.

A Bonus Tip From The Contessa

If you thought that tip was great, Ina swoops in again for a last-minute bonus so your ribs pack even more flavor. Simply marinate the ribs overnight in the fridge so the seasonings run as deep into the meat as possible. “These ribs have too much flavor,” said no one ever. So you might as well infuse as much of it as you can and send all your guests home with smiles on their stomachs.