Utilizing the popular 3-2-1 method, ribs are coated in BBQ rub and sauce and smoked until they're fall-off-the-bone tender.
Servings 3servings
Prep Time 10 minutesmins
Cook Time 6 hourshrs
Total Time 6 hourshrs10 minutesmins
Equipment
Charcoal Grill
Ingredients
1RackPork Spare Ribs
¼cupBBQ Rub
1cupApple Juice(*Note 1)
¼cupBrown Sugar(*Note 2)
2tbspButter, Cut Into Two Pieces
1cupBBQ Sauce
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Instructions
PREP THE SMOKER
Set up the smoker/grill for indirect cooking and pre-heat to 225°F.
PREP THE RIBS
Remove the silver membrane from the back of the ribs. Generously apply the BBQ rub to both sides of the ribs. (OPTIONAL) Let sit in the refrigerator, uncovered for an hour so the spices penetrate the meat.
SMOKE THE RIBS
Transfer the ribs to the grill rack, bone side down, and smoke for three hours. (OPTIONAL) Spritz with apple juice every 30 minutes or so to add extra moisture.
STEAM THE RIBS
Remove the ribs from the grill and place bone side down on a large piece of heavy duty aluminum foil. It will need to be about 3x the length of the ribs.
Add the apple juice, brown sugar and butter (to the top of the ribs) and crimp the aluminum foil around the ribs to create an airtight seal. If the foil has a hole, the hot air will escape and it will take much longer to cook.
Cook, bone side down, for two hours.
Gently remove the foil packet from the grill and, using gloves, remove the foil. There will be hot liquid, so don't burn yourself!
SAUCE THE RIBS
Evenly coat the ribs with the barbecue sauce. Transfer back to the grill and smoke for one hour, or until the final temp is between 180°F-190°F.
Notes
Note 1 - Don't have apple juice? You can use apple cider or beef broth instead.Note 2 - You can omit the extra sugar if the BBQ dry rub you use already has a ton in it.