Easy Smoked BBQ Ribs Recipe

*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.

“I have so much time!” -No mom ever

Let us give you your time back. With the Six Sisters’ Meal Plans, we do the dinner planning, grocery ordering, and then all you have to do is decide whether to pick them up or have them delivered.

Get My Meal Plans NOW!

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!).

Our newest cookbook

Have you heard about our newest cookbook, Copycat Cooking? We took over 100 of our favorite restaurant recipes and simplified them so that you can make them right at home!

Every recipe has a beautiful mouth-watering photo and has been picky-eater approved. The directions are simple, easy to follow, and do not require any strange ingredients.

This cookbook includes copycat recipes from Wingers, Texas Roadhouse, Starbucks, Panera, Cheesecake Factory, Kneaders, and so much more. We have you covered from drinks, to dessert and everything in-between.

We are so excited to share these recipes with you. Order your copy today!

Six Sisters’ Stuff COPYCAT COOKING <—– Click here to order!

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

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.

ServingServing: 8

Prep Time 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 6 hours hours

Total Time 7 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

SaveSaved Recipe! Print Pin

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

Equipment

• Smoker
• Paper Towels
• Spray Bottle
• Aluminum Foil

Instructions

1. 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).
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. After 3 hours, spread glaze over the ribs and cover them in aluminum foil and continue smoking for another 2 hours.
5. 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 the thickest 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

Cuisine: American

Course: Main Course

Did You Make This Recipe?We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review or a question in the comment section below the post.

Be sure to not miss another recipe! Follow Six Sisters’ Stuff on Instagram|Facebook|Pinterest|YouTube

Have you checked out our YouTube channel?

If you are in the market for a new grill or smoker, be sure to check out the Camp Chef Woodwind Pellet Grill!