A mouthwatering guide to smoking pork ribs that’ll have you licking your fingers and coming back for seconds.
Welcome to the pork rib dreamland—your smoker’s new best friend. Brace yourself for succulent, fall-off-the-bone ribs with a flavor punch so hard, it’ll make your taste buds do the samba! Stick around and I’ll spill all the juicy secrets from prep to plate.
Smoky Pork Ribs Extravaganza
Fire up that smoker and get ready for ribs so good they might make you break up with your fork. These smoky pork ribs are tender, juicy, and burst with flavor. They are perfect for a backyard BBQ, a fancy feast, or a ‘Netflix and Grill’ kind of night.
- Cooking method: Smoking
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 5-6 hours
- Cuisine: American BBQ
Ingredients
- 1 rack pork ribs (about 3 lbs)
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 cup apple juice
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your smoker to 225°F.
- Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs. This makes them tender and also gives you an excuse to play with knives.
- Mix the brown sugar, paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and cayenne pepper.
- Rub the spice mix generously over both sides of the ribs. Seriously, give them a massage.
- Place ribs in the smoker, bone side down. Close the lid and smoke for 3 hours.
- After 3 hours, remove ribs and wrap them in aluminum foil with the apple juice. This steams the ribs and makes them extra tender.
- Return them to the smoker for 2 more hours.
- Unwrap the ribs and brush both sides with BBQ sauce.
- Place ribs back in the smoker, unwrapped, for 1 more hour to set the sauce.
- Remove from smoker, let rest for 5 minutes. Slice and serve. Consider pairing with a bib and some wet wipes—just saying.
Suggestions
- Alternative ingredients: Try honey instead of brown sugar for a sweeter twist, or add a touch of liquid smoke to the spice rub for an extra smoky flavor.
- Garnishing options: Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley or add a touch of crushed red pepper for an extra kick.
- Cooking tips: Maintain a steady 225°F in your smoker to avoid overcooking. Rotate the ribs midway if your smoker has hot spots.