Sous vide cooking is a fantastic method for achieving tender, juicy, and flavorful pork ribs. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making perfect sous vide baby back ribs.

Ingredients:

• 2 racks of baby back pork ribs
• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Your favorite BBQ rub (store-bought or homemade)
• Liquid smoke (optional, for added smoky flavor)
• BBQ sauce (optional, for finishing)

Equipment:

• Sous vide precision cooker
• Large pot or container for the water bath
• Vacuum sealer and vacuum bags or heavy-duty ziplock bags
• Baking sheet
• Aluminum foil

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Ribs:

   • Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs. This can be done by sliding a knife under it and using a paper towel to get a firm grip and peel it off.
   • Season both sides of the ribs generously with salt, pepper, and your favorite BBQ rub. If you’re using liquid smoke, lightly brush it on the ribs before seasoning.

2. Vacuum Seal the Ribs:

   • Place the seasoned ribs in a vacuum-seal bag in a single layer. Seal the bags using a vacuum sealer. If you don’t have a vacuum sealer, you can use the water displacement method with ziplock bags: place the ribs in the bag, close the bag almost all the way, and slowly submerge it in water to push the air out before sealing completely.

3. Sous Vide Cooking:

   • Preheat your sous vide water bath to 165°F (74°C) for a tender and juicy texture. For more fall-off-the-bone ribs, set the temperature to 185°F (85°C).
   • Submerge the sealed ribs in the water bath. Ensure they are fully submerged and not floating. Cook for 12-24 hours. The longer cooking time will result in more tender meat.

4. Finish the Ribs:

   • Once the cooking time is up, remove the ribs from the bags and pat them dry with paper towels.
   • Preheat your oven’s broiler or a grill to high heat.
   • If desired, brush the ribs with BBQ sauce.
   • Place the ribs on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil (if using the oven) or directly on the grill.
   • Broil or grill the ribs for 5-10 minutes, just until the sauce caramelizes and the ribs develop a nice crust. Keep a close eye on them to avoid burning.

5. Serve:

   • Remove the ribs from the oven or grill, let them rest for a few minutes, then slice between the bones to separate into individual ribs.
   • Serve with additional BBQ sauce on the side if desired.

Enjoy your perfectly cooked sous vide baby back ribs!