Tony Roma’s Ribs on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Note: This recipe was developed using the Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Fryer. If you are cooking using the Char-Broil Smoker-Roaster Grill you should cook with the lid open and the temperature set to High. You might also need to adjust the cooking time.

I’ve made baby back ribs on my Char-Broil Big Easy before and they’ve come out great. After watching a TV show segment on Tony Roma’s ribs I decided that I needed to try the same technique using my Big Easy. And boy, did they come out packed with flavor. Tender, almost-fall-off-the-bone meat. Perfectly tasty. And, a key in my book, not over-sauced. Just like they said on the TV show, you want to taste the meat. There are ribs there. Taste them!

Tony Roma's Ribs on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Don’t Be Intimidated. They’re Easy.

The recipe steps may look like a lot of work, but these Tony Roma’s ribs are actually quite easy to make. Marinade overnight, cook for a while, brush with sauce, cook a bit longer to set the sauce, slice and serve. Done. If you prefer a more traditional ketchup-based BBQ sauce on your ribs try my copcyat of Tony Roma’s Blue Ridge Smokies sauce.

I do not like for my rib meat to be completely fall-off-the-bone. I like a little ‘tug’ to it and that’s what I got after 90 minutes. If you prefer your ribs to be even more tender, leave them in for the full 2 hours.

The Char-Broil Big Easy 22-piece turkey fryer accessory kit has everything you need to make ribs, chicken legs, kabobs and just about anything else!

Also check out my St. Louis-style ribs made on the Big Easy.

Love your Big Easy as much I love mine? Check out my Big Easy Add-Ons page and my free Big Easy eCookbook!

Tony Roma's Ribs on the Char-Broil Big Easy
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5 from 1 vote

Tony Roma’s Ribs on the Char-Broil Big Easy

The recipe steps may look like a lot of work, but these Tony Roma’s ribs are actually quite easy to make. Marinade overnight, cook for a while, brush with sauce, cook a bit longer to set the sauce, slice and serve. Done.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword Big Easy, Char-Broil, ribs
Prep Time 12 hours
Cook Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Total Time 14 hours 15 minutes
Servings 1 rack
Calories 2142kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Cut the ribs in half if they are too long to fit into your Big Easy.
  • Place the ribs in resealable container or baggie.
  • Combine the rest of the ingredients in a medium saucepan.
  • Bring the sauce to a boil then reduce the heat to a simmer and let simmer until reduce by half and thickened, 15-20 minutes.
  • Remove the sauce from the heat and let cool.
  • Reserve 1/4 cup of the sauce and pour the remaining sauce over the ribs. Coat well, seal, and refrigerate overnight. Turn occasionally to let the marinade get on all sides of the ribs.
  • Fire up your Big Easy.
  • Cut a small lit in one end of the ribs and insert the rib hooks.
  • Place the ribs on a piece of foil. Pour any remaining marinade from the overnight marinate (NOT the marinade you reserved) over the ribs and seal TIGHTLY. You want the foil seam to be at the top, near the hooks and the bottom of the ribs sealed so the juices and marinade does not leak out.
  • Hang ribs in the Big Easy basket and lower into the cooker.
  • Cook for 90 minutes to 2 hours. After 90 minutes the ribs will be tender with a bit of a ‘bite’, meaning the mean will gently pull away from the bones. The meat will pull away from the bones about an inch on the ends. If you want your ribs to be completely fall-off-the-bone leave them in for the full 2 hours.
  • Remove the ribs from the Big Easy and remove them from the foil. Do not remove the rib hooks.
  • Brush the ribs with half of the reserved marinade and return to the Big Easy for 5 minutes.
  • Remove ribs from the cooker and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
  • Brush with last of the reserved marinade and serve.

Notes

You’ll need the Big Easy rib hooks or fashion your own from stainless hooks or wire.

Nutrition

Calories: 2142kcal | Carbohydrates: 217g | Protein: 112g | Fat: 93g | Saturated Fat: 33g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 391mg | Sodium: 3112mg | Potassium: 3500mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 212g | Vitamin A: 1187IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 428mg | Iron: 11mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

St. Louis Ribs on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Visit my other site, For The Wing, for all things chicken-wing!

I could not have been happier with how great these St. Louis-style ribs on the Char-Broil Big Easy came out. They were cooked high-and-fast on my Char-Broil Big Easy. The Big Easy is a great cooker for a whole lot of things. Although I’ve cooked baby back ribs on my Big Easy, my favorite rib is the spare rib because of the additional fat (flavor). When you cut them St. Louis-style you end up with a beautiful piece of pig meat, perfect for the Big Easy.

A little prep…

Making ribs on the Big Easy couldn’t get much easier. I rubbed down the ribs the night before with my no-burn rib rub. The next day I fired up my Big Easy. I decided to coil my ribs so they fit in the bottom of the cooker. If I’d had put in the Big Easy bunk bed basket I think I could’ve cooked two full racks at once. You could also cut the rack in half and hang it in the cooker using the Big Easy rib hooks.

Cooking right along…

It took about ninety minutes until the meat was starting to pull back from the bones. I slathered some of my Bourbon Street BBQ sauce onto the ribs and let them cook just a bit longer. This gave them a bit of a crunchy outer layer.

St. Louis Ribs on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Let ’em rest

When the ribs were done I removed them from the cooker, uncoiled them, and let them rest for about 15 minutes. Then I sliced them and proceeded to enjoy some of the best ribs I’ve had. Not fall-off-the-bone ribs, those are overdone. You want a little tug, a little bite, to your ribs. These have that. And they’re juicy, oh so juicy, just like everything else I’ve cooked on the Big Easy. These are great ribs.

The Char-Broil Big Easy 22-piece turkey fryer accessory kit has everything you need to make ribs, chicken legs, kabobs and just about anything else!

Also check out my Tony Roma’s baby back ribs made on the Big Easy.

You can also make delicious St Louis-style ribs on a smoker or gas grill!

Love your Big Easy as much I love mine? Check out my Big Easy Add-Ons page and my free Big Easy eCookbook!

St. Louis Ribs on the Char-Broil Big Easy
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

St. Louis Ribs on the Char-Broil Big Easy

I could not have been happier with how great these St. Louis-style ribs on the Char-Broil Big Easy came out. 
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword Big Easy, Char-Broil, ribs
Prep Time 12 hours
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 14 hours
Servings 4
Calories 630kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place the ribs on a large piece of foil and sprinkle rub on both sides.
  • Rub in slightly then seal.
  • Refrigerate for up to 12 hours.
  • Fire up your Big Easy.
  • Cook the ribs for 90 minutes. You should see the meat pulling back from the bone about1/2″ – 1″. If not, let them cook a bit longer.
  • Slather the ribs with sauce, if desired. Note that if you use a sauce that contains a lot of sugar you will really need to keep an eye on the ribs or the sauce may burn. Return ribs to cooker for 15-30 minutes or until they have a nice crust on them.
  • Remove, let rest for 10-15 minutes, then slice and serve. If desired, have additional warmed BBQ sauce on the side for dipping.

Notes

To fit the ribs into the cooker you’ll either need to coil them as I did (I found this to be easier to do with the Big Easy kabob insert as a kind of holder) or cut them if they are too long and use the Big Easy rib hooks to hang them.

Nutrition

Calories: 630kcal | Protein: 35g | Fat: 53g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 182mg | Sodium: 184mg | Potassium: 551mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Italian Sausage Baby Back Ribs on the Char-Broil Big Easy

A little bit ago I made Italian sausage baby back ribs on the Char-Broil The Big Easy for the first time. I was really impressed with how well they came out. Tender, juicy, and tasty. Just another reason that my Big Easy is one of my favorite “grills”.

Italian Sausage Baby Back Ribs on the Char-Broil Big Easy

The idea…

I was looking for a different take on ribs, something other than the “usual” BBQ-flavor, when I came across a recipe for ribs with the flavor of Italian sausage (oh my!). I knew right then that I was going to make them. The resulting Italian Sausage Baby Back Ribs on the Char-Broil Big Easy are fantastic.

The flavor…

The ribs taste just like Italian sausage, with a wonderful twist. Again, tender and juicy. And with the hint (not overpowering) of fennel and the other seasonings found in Italian sausage. The orange glaze is absolutely to die for. The brown sugar gives the ribs a bit of a crust, a crunchy exterior. The glaze is not overly sweet thanks to rice wine vinegar, orange juice and zest, and chile paste (yum! a nice kick!). These are some of the best ribs I’ve ever had or made, and I’ve made a lot of them, from on the grill, on the smoker, and now on the Big Easy.

Love your Big Easy as much I love mine? Check out my Big Easy Add-Ons page and my free Big Easy eCookbook!

Note: This recipe was developed using the Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Fryer. If you are cooking using the Char-Broil Smoker-Roaster Grill you should cook with the lid open and the temperature set to High. You might also need to adjust the cooking time.

Italian Sausage Baby Back Ribs on the Char-Broil Big Easy
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Italian Sausage Baby Back Ribs on the Char-Broil Big Easy

was really impressed with how well these came out. Tender, juicy, and tasty. Just another reason that my Big Easy is one of my favorite “grills”.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword Big Easy, Char-Broil, ribs
Prep Time 12 hours
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 13 hours 30 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 1058kcal

Ingredients

For the brine

  • 2 racks baby back ribs trimmed to fit the Big Easy (alternatively, if you have a particularly large rack, just halve it and the remaining ingredients). Remove the membrane from the backs of the ribs and trim any large chunks of fat.
  • 32 ounces apple cider or juice
  • 1 tablespoon garlic minced
  • cup kosher salt
  • ½ cup brown sugar loose packed

For the rub

For the glaze

Instructions

  • Place the ribs into a resealable container.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the brine ingredients. Pour over the ribs and seal.
  • Refrigerate 12 hours, turning the ribs occasionally.
  • Fire up your big easy
  • Attach ribs to the rib hooks. Attach ribs to the Big Easy and lower into the cooker. Cook 35 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, make the rub by combining all ingredients.
  • Rub ribs generously with the rub (being careful to not burn yourself on the rib hooks!). Wrap the ribs in foil, making sure that the rib hooks stick out enough to be used.
  • Return ribs to the Big Easy and cook another 45 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, make the glaze by combining all ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer and simmer until reduced by half.
  • Remove ribs from the Big Easy and remove the foil. Brush ribs on all sides with the glaze and return to the cooker for 10 minutes. Add more glaze and cook another 5 minutes or until the desired color is achieved.
  • Let ribs rest 10 minutes before slicing.

Nutrition

Calories: 1058kcal | Carbohydrates: 104g | Protein: 56g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 196mg | Sodium: 16686mg | Potassium: 1217mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 94g | Vitamin A: 389IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 235mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Baby Back Ribs on the Char-Broil Big Easy

I’m usually a smoke-your-ribs kind of guy. My preferred rib is a St. Louis-style sparerib, cooked low-and-slow for up to 6 hours. The result is a tender, lightly smoky flavored, moist rib. That’s why I went into this experiment cooking baby back ribs on the Char-Broil Big Easy with a little skepticism (but an open mind).

These ribs were very tender, very moist and cooked perfect. The only thing they lacked was that smoky flavor. And of course you don’t get that lovely pink smoke ring you get from hours of low heat over smoke. A smoky BBQ rub and sauce helps make up for this if that’s what you’re hankering for. They’re basically trouble-free since the Big Easy is pretty much a light-it-up, load-it-up, and come-back-when-the-food-is-done cooker.

I’d make these ribs again. And again. You can fit 2 racks into the Big Easy (they have to be cut to fit as they have to be around 11″ or so or less in length), and you’ll need a set of Char-Broil Big Easy Rib Hooks (though you could fashion your own).

Note: This recipe was developed using the Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Fryer. If you are cooking using the Char-Broil Smoker-Roaster Grill you should cook with the lid open and the temperature set to High. You might also need to adjust the cooking time.

Hanging the ribs…

Here’s how the process from baby back ribs on the Char-Broil Big Easy came along.First, brined ribs are hung on rib hooks and placed into the basket.

Baby Back Ribs on the Char-Broil Big Easy Picture 1The first cook…

The ribs are cooked “naked” (no sauce, no rub) for 35 minutes.

Baby Back Ribs on the Char-Broil Big Easy Picture 2Foiled and cooked some more…

Next, the ribs are rubbed and foiled (not shown here) and cooked for another 45 minutes.

Sauced and served…

I removed them from the foil, sauced them, and cooked them a bit longer. Sliced and served!

Baby Back Ribs on the Char-Broil Big Easy 2

Also check out my Tony Roma’sSt. Louis-style, and Italian sausage ribs also made on the Big Easy. For a fantastic sauce for your ribs, make my copycat of Bulls Eye’s BBQ sauce. It’s great on it’s own or as a great basis for your own version.

The Char-Broil Big Easy 22-piece turkey fryer accessory kit has everything you need to make ribs, chicken legs, kabobs and just about anything else!

Love your Big Easy as much I love mine? Check out my Big Easy Add-Ons page and my free Big Easy eCookbook!

Baby Back Ribs on the Char-Broil Big Easy 2
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3.50 from 2 votes

Baby Back Ribs on the Char-Broil Big Easy

I’d make these ribs again. And again. You can fit 2 racks into the Big Easy (they have to be cut to fit as they have to be around 11″ or so or less in length).
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword Big Easy, Char-Broil, ribs
Prep Time 8 hours
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 9 hours 30 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 427kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

  • 2 racks baby back ribs cut to 11″ in length (or use 1 rack, cut in half and halve the remaining ingredients below). Remove the membrane from the backs of the ribs and trim any large chunks of fat.
  • brine below
  • your favorite BBQ rub
  • your favorite BBQ sauce

For the brine

Instructions

  • Place the ribs into a large resealable container.
  • Stir together the brine ingredients and add to the ribs. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours, turning occasionally.
  • Start up your Big Easy.
  • Cut small slits after the first rib in each “rack” and insert the rib hooks.
  • Place ribs into the cooker and cook for 35 minutes.
  • Remove ribs and place on large sheets of foil. Sprinkle with your favorite rub. Wrap ribs up in foil and seal well. Add more foil if you need.
  • Place ribs back onto the cooker and cook another 45 minutes.
  • Remove ribs and check for doneness. Meat should be pulled back from the bones and should bend easily.
  • Unfoil the ribs and brush with BBQ sauce.
  • Place back onto the cooker and cook until the sauce is warmed and the ribs are the desired color.
  • Let rest 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 427kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 99mg | Sodium: 4849mg | Potassium: 489mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 32IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

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