Dutch Oven Ribs Using Charcoal Briquettes
Cooking ribs in a Dutch oven over charcoal is one of the easiest ways to control heat when you’re cooking outside. Unlike hardwood coals, charcoal briquettes burn at a more predictable temperature, which makes them perfect for beginners.
As a rough rule of thumb, each standard charcoal briquette equals about 20 to 25 degrees of heat in a Dutch oven setup. That means if you’re aiming for around 325°F, you’ll need roughly 13 briquettes underneath and 13 on top of the lid. The coals on top matter just as much as the ones below. That’s how you create even, oven-style heat.
Ingredients
2 to 3 racks of ribs, cut to fit your Dutch oven
Salt and black pepper
Paprika
Garlic powder
Optional brown sugar
Optional barbecue sauce
A small splash of water or apple cider vinegar
Season the ribs generously on both sides. Keep it simple or build a dry rub. This method handles both.
Instructions
Light your charcoal and let it ash over completely.
Place a layer of briquettes beneath the Dutch oven.
Arrange ribs inside the pot, standing upright if needed.
Add a small splash of liquid to create moisture.
Place the lid on and add the remaining briquettes on top.
The heat from above bakes while the heat from below cooks through, turning your Dutch oven into an outdoor oven.
Cook for about 2 to 2½ hours, rotating the lid and pot occasionally for even heat. Add fresh briquettes as needed to maintain temperature.
The ribs are done when the meat pulls back from the bone and yields easily when pierced.
Cooking for a Crowd
If you’re feeding more people, stack Dutch ovens.
Place coals under the bottom pot, then set a second Dutch oven on top. The lid of the bottom oven becomes the base for the top one. Add briquettes to the top lid as usual.
Now your charcoal is doing double duty. Efficient. Practical. Slightly impressive.
A quick note on doneness:
Ribs are fully cooked when they reach at least 190–203°F internally for tenderness. We’ve cooked enough ribs over enough fires to know what that looks and feels like, but if you’re new to it, a thermometer will keep you confident.