This publish might include affiliate gross sales hyperlinks. Please learn my disclosure coverage.
This Smoked Ribs Recipe is the ONLY one you’ll ever want. No matter kind of ribs you might be smoking (spare ribs, pork ribs, child again ribs), this 3-2-1 ribs technique will provide you with fall off the bone ribs each time together with that particular smoky taste that’s plain. Don’t have a smoker? Strive my Oven Baked Ribs or Crockpot Ribs that are additionally fall off the bone tender and scrumptious – minus the smoke taste.

What’s the 3-2-1 Ribs Methodology for Smoking Ribs?
The 3-2-1 ribs technique for smoked ribs is the method with (because the title suggests) 3 totally different steps to make sure probably the most flavorful and tender, fall off the bone ribs. It begins with (#1) 3 hours of smoking with only a dry rub, adopted by (#2) a foil wrap in some kind of liquid (often apple juice, wine or beer) for two hours, and completed by (#3) eradicating from liquid, saucing up and smoking uncovered once more for another hour. I’ve your step-by-step directions for this under, so keep shut!
What are St. Louis Type Ribs?
For the needs of this recipe, I’m utilizing St. Louis Type Pork Spare Ribs. Largely, as a result of they have been WAY on sale at my native grocery retailer, but in addition as a result of they’re for my part probably the most flavorful and meaty. The time period “St. Louis Type” comes from the means the ribs are minimize. Within the 1930’s, meatpackers in St. Louis created a brand new, rectangular minimize for pork spare ribs that included extra meat.
What Temperature to Smoke Ribs
I like to recommend setting your smoker to 225° F and hold it at that temperature from begin to end. You might go as much as 250° F, however not more than that. Keep in mind, this can be a low and gradual technique.
How Lengthy to Smoke Ribs
You must put together to smoke your ribs for about 6 hours utilizing this technique, if smoking at 225° F. You’ll then wish to let the meat relaxation for no less than 10 minutes or nonetheless lengthy you’ll be able to stand it. In case you discover that you’re working brief on time and want to hurry up the method a bit (only a bit!), growing the smoker temperature as much as 250° F will assist a bit of. I wouldn’t go any increased that that, although.
What’s Rib Membrane and Do I Need to Take away it?
The Rib Membrane or Silver Pores and skin is connective tissue discovered on the bone aspect of each rack of ribs. Regardless of how lengthy you prepare dinner your ribs, this tissue received’t break down so it’s finest to take away all silver pores and skin earlier than cooking to make sure the ribs are as tender as you need. Eradicating it additionally ensures your seasonings and particularly that SMOKE penetrate the entire meat.
The best way to Take away Rib Membrane
That is truly a lot simpler than you suppose! It looks like it will be intimidating however couldn’t be less complicated.
- Flip your rack of ribs over so the again bone aspect is face up.
- Beginning on the smaller, narrower finish, use a small knife or kitchen shears to slip below the sting of silver pores and skin and get a bit of flap to seize.
- Utilizing a paper towel, grip the flap you created and pull off. It ought to come off in a single lengthy sheet but when it doesn’t, use the knife to tug up one other part and begin pulling once more.
The best way to Smoke Ribs
Now that we’ve realized the fundamentals, let’s get to the STEP by STEP directions on How To Smoke Ribs. In case you observe my directions fastidiously, you need to have probably the most scrumptious, smoky, tender, fall off the bone ribs ever. Printable recipe card shall be discovered on the backside of this publish.

Put together Smoker
Preheat your smoker to 225° F. Since each smoker is totally different, you’ll wish to observe the producer directions for startup. I exploit a Traeger Wooden Fired Pellet Grill. My favourite wooden (or wooden pellets) to make use of for any type of pork is Apple Wooden because it simply compliments the pork so nicely however you need to use any type of fruit wooden you’d like. Hickory or Mesquite would completely work as nicely.

Take away Membrane From Ribs
Earlier than you do something to season your ribs, you first wish to take away the membrane discovered on the bone aspect of your rack of ribs. Directions on that above!
Season Ribs with Mustard and Dry Rub
Pat your Ribs dry with paper towels and unfold basic yellow mustard all around the meat. The mustard ensures the rub adheres to the ribs and will help to tenderize the meat because it incorporates vinegar. Then, generously apply a dry rub seasoning of your option to all sides of the ribs. I used my do-it-yourself Pulled Pork Dry Rub recipe, which is ideal for Pork Ribs too!
Place Ribs on Smoker + Smoke for 3 Hours
Place your absolutely seasoned ribs both in a rib rack or straight on the smoker grate. Smoke for 3 hours.
Wrap Your Ribs + Add Liquid
Tear off a couple of sheets of aluminum foil and layer collectively to create a “boat”. Place your ribs in foil boat bone aspect up and switch to smoker grate. Rigorously pour Apple Juice and Brown Sugar combination over ribs and crimp foil to create an hermetic vessel. Proceed smoking for two extra hours within the braising liquid. This is a vital step to make sure tremendous tender ribs.
Take away Ribs From Liquid + Add BBQ Sauce!
Take away your ribs from the foil wrap and discard liquid*. Place ribs again on smoker and slather a sauce of your selection on either side. I used my Home made BBQ Sauce. Smoke for ONE FINAL hour to complete issues off and let the sauce set. After an hour the rib meat shall be pulling away from the bone. OH boy oh boy.
*In case you don’t wish to waste the braising liquid, you’ll be able to completely reserve it on your subsequent batch of BBQ sauce…with an apple twist!

Take away Ribs from Smoker and Let Relaxation
Lastly, take away ribs from smoker and let relaxation for no less than 10 minutes. Your ribs ought to be falling aside at this level and also you’ll be patting your self on the again! (excessive 5!)
At this level, you too can add extra BBQ sauce should you’d like. Serve heat.
What to Serve with Ribs
Listed below are a few of my favourite aspect dishes for Ribs:
The best way to Retailer Leftover Ribs
Any leftover Ribs will be saved by refrigerating in an hermetic container for as much as 4 days.
To reheat, merely heat within the microwave, frivolously lined (to retain moisture), till heated by.
To freeze, place in an hermetic freezer secure bag or container. Ribs will keep recent within the freezer for 3 months.
Love this Smoked Ribs Recipe? Strive These Recipes:
Under is the printable recipe card. Reserve it and revel in, associates!

Smoked Ribs
This Smoked Ribs Recipe is the ONLY one you may ever want. No matter kind of ribs you might be smoking (spare ribs, pork ribs, child again ribs), this 3-2-1 ribs technique will provide you with fall off the bone ribs each time together with that particular smoky taste that’s plain.
Directions
-
Preheat your smoker to 225° F. Since each smoker is totally different, you’ll wish to observe the producer directions for startup.
-
Take away the membrane discovered on the bone aspect of your rack of ribs.
-
Pat your Ribs dry with paper towels and unfold basic yellow mustard all around the meat. Then, generously apply a dry rub seasoning of your option to all sides of the ribs.
-
Place your absolutely seasoned ribs both in a rib rack or straight on the smoker grate. Smoke for 3 hours.
-
Tear off a couple of sheets of aluminum foil and layer collectively to create a “boat”. Place your ribs in foil boat bone aspect up and switch to smoker grate. Rigorously pour Apple Juice and Brown Sugar combination over ribs and crimp foil to create an hermetic vessel. Proceed smoking for two extra hours within the braising liquid.
-
Take away your ribs from the foil wrap and discard liquid. Slather a sauce of your selection throughout ribs. I used my Home made BBQ Sauce. Add the ribs again to the smoker to smoke for ONE FINAL hour and to let the sauce set.
-
Lastly, take away ribs from smoker and let relaxation for no less than 10 minutes.
-
Add extra BBQ if most well-liked and serve heat.
Diet
Energy: 161kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 1g | Fats: 1g | Saturated Fats: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fats: 0.3g | Ldl cholesterol: 0.2mg | Sodium: 458mg | Potassium: 206mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 201IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 2mg
>