Description
Smoked 3-2-1 spare ribs are a foolproof way to achieve tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs using a simple smoking method. Perfect for barbecue lovers and beginners alike!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 rack pork spare ribs
- 2 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1/4 cup dry rub (paprika, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper)
- 1/2 cup apple juice or apple cider vinegar
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- Wood chips (hickory, apple, or cherry wood)
Instructions
Prepping the Ribs
- Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs for better tenderness.
- Rub a thin layer of yellow mustard over the ribs to help the seasoning adhere.
- Generously coat the ribs with the dry rub, ensuring even coverage.
- Let the ribs sit at room temperature for 30 minutes while preheating the smoker.
2. Smoking for 3 Hours
- Preheat your smoker to 225°F (107°C) and add your preferred wood chips.
- Place the ribs directly on the smoker grates, meat side up.
- Smoke for three hours, spritzing with apple juice or apple cider vinegar every 45 minutes to keep them moist.
3. Wrapping for 2 Hours
- Lay out two large sheets of aluminum foil and place the ribs meat side down.
- Add a few pats of butter, a drizzle of honey, and a splash of apple juice.
- Seal the foil tightly and return the ribs to the smoker for two more hours.
4. Unwrapping and Glazing
- Carefully remove the ribs from the foil and place them back on the smoker grates, meat side up.
- Brush on a generous layer of barbecue sauce.
- Smoke for one more hour, allowing the sauce to caramelize.
- Remove the ribs from the smoker and let them rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Spicy Ribs – Add extra cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the dry rub.
- Sweet and Tangy – Use a honey-based barbecue sauce or add brown sugar to the wrap.
- Keto-Friendly – Use sugar-free barbecue sauce and omit the honey.
- Different Wood Choices – Try mesquite for a bold flavor or fruit woods like apple and cherry for a sweeter smoke.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: smoking
- Cuisine: American, barbecue
Keywords: smoked ribs, 3-2-1 method, barbecue ribs, fall-off-the-bone ribs, easy smoked ribs