Easy Smoked BBQ Ribs Recipe (2024)

This traditional way of smoking ribs tastes like it came straight from the local BBQ joint. These BBQ ribs are slow smoked, with a rub and then glazed in a simple homemade BBQ sauce. Smoked BBQ ribs that turn out perfect every time.

*This post is sponsored by Camp Chef, but all opinions are my own.*

I love baby back ribs, but the thought of grilling them myself is pretty intimidating. I surprised my husband with a Camp Chef Woodwind Pellet Grill for Father’s Day and this was the first recipe that we made on the smoker – and they turned out perfect!

The 3-2-1 Method For How To Smoke Ribs

You may have heard of the 3-2-1 method as the perfect way to smoke ribs. It basically is the amount of time you spend on each step.

1. The first step is 3 hours of smoking (unwrapped) on the smoker at 225 degrees.
2. The second step is 2 hours of cooking while wrapped in aluminum foil.
3. The third step is 1 hour of cooking unwrapped at a higher temperature, basted with lots of barbecue sauce.

For this recipe, we will be following the 3-2-1 method to make the perfect ribs.

Related Recipe: Looking for other Smoker Recipes?! Try our Easy Smoked Brisket!

How long to smoke a rack of ribs?

When it comes to time, every rack of ribs will be different depending on their size and weight.

A good rule of thumb is to smoke your ribs until the thickest part of the ribs reaches 160-170 degrees, which should be about 5-6 hours total.

Bone side up or bone side down?

When it comes to smoking BBQ ribs, you will want to smoke them bone side down.

Smoking ribs is a long process and it can dry out the ribs. When the bones are down and the meat is up, it’s easier to spritz and baste the ribs, allowing for moisture and flavor to seep through the meat.

Some will say that it does not matter if you smoke ribs bone side up or down, but I have always smoked them bone side down and have had great success.

Tips for how to smoke BBQ ribs:

• Choose the right rib – baby back ribs are my go-to rib (especially for beginners) because they are tender, marbled, and easy to cook.
• Make sure to remove the membrane. The papery-thin layer over the bones will keep flavor from the rubs and sauce from absorbing into the meat. With your ribs bone-side up, slide the tip of a knife between the membrane and the bone, then lift and cut to remove the membrane.
• Layers make great flavor. Start with a rub, baste with BBQ sauce, and slather with BBQ sauce when they are finished cooking.
• When ribs are cooked, the meat will have shrunk back from the ends of the bones by 1/4 to 1/2 inch (it’s almost like a pop-up thermometer on a turkey!).

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What to serve with Smoked BBQ ribs:

• Funeral Potatoes (Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole)
• Mom’s Baked Beans
• Sweet Cornbread
• Red Potato Salad
• Slow Cooker Corn on the Cob

See Also

Chipotle Baby Back Ribs RecipeEasy BBQ Baked Oven Baked Ribs Recipe | How to Bake RibsHow to Smoke Ribs on the Grill and Homemade Dry Rub RecipeEasy BBQ Instant Pot Ribs Recipe - VIDEO » LeelaLicious

Serves: 8

Easy Smoked BBQ Ribs Recipe

This traditional way of smoking ribs tastes like it came straight from the local BBQ joint. These BBQ ribs are slow smoked, with a rub and then glazed in a simple homemade BBQ sauce. Smoked BBQ ribs that turn out perfect every time.

Prep Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 hours hrs

Total Time 7 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

PrintPin

Ingredients

Ribs

• 3 racks baby back ribs
• Camp Chef Kickin BBQ Rub or preferred rib rub
• coarse salt

Spritz Mixture

• ½ cup apple juice
• 1½ Tablespoons mustard
• 1½ Tablespoons pure maple syrup

Glaze

• 1 cup ketchup
• ½ cup mustard
• ½ cup maple syrup
• 3 Tablespoons vinegar
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

• Prepare the ribs by rinsing and patting dry with a paper towel. Score the membrane on the concave side of the ribs, and peel it off with a paper towel for extra grip. Salt ribs and let dry brine for an hour (if desired).

• In a spray bottle, mix apple juice, mustard and maple syrup. In a medium sized bowl, mix all the ingredients for the glaze together and set aside.

• Preheat pellet grill or smoker to 225° F or Hi Smoke. After the ribs have brined for an hour, spritz them using the mixture in the spray bottle. Completely cover ribs with rub and put in smoker for about 3 hours.

• After 3 hours, spread glaze over the ribs and cover them in aluminum foil and continue smoking for another 2 hours.

• Finally, remove the foil and cook for 1 hour, spreading more glaze over the top. The baby back ribs are ready when you can pick them up with tongs, give them a slight bounce and see a large crack on the surface of the meat. If this doesn't happen, you will need to give them more time.

Notes

Recipe from Camp Chef

• When it comes to smoking BBQ ribs, you will want to smoke them bone side down.
• A good rule of thumb is to smoke your ribs until thethickest part of the ribs reaches 160-170 degrees, which should be about 5-6 hours total.

Nutrition

Calories: 595 kcal · Carbohydrates: 27 g · Protein: 42 g · Fat: 36 g · Saturated Fat: 12 g · Trans Fat: 1 g · Cholesterol: 147 mg · Sodium: 669 mg · Potassium: 718 mg · Fiber: 1 g · Sugar: 22 g · Vitamin A: 215 IU · Vitamin C: 2 mg · Calcium: 110 mg · Iron: 2 mg

Equipment

• smoker

• paper towels

• spray bottle

• Aluminum Foil

Recipe Details

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

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