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Smoked ribs stacked on a wooden board with smoke swirling in the background
Elle

How Long to Smoke Ribs: The Best-Ever Recipe for Perfect Grilling

Master the art of backyard barbecue with this easy, juicy smoked ribs recipe. Learn how long to smoke ribs for perfect tenderness, rich smoky flavor, and unbeatable results every time.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 20 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 560
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 racks baby back ribs or spare ribs
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 4 tablespoons dry rib rub
  • ½ cup apple juice
  • ¼ cup BBQ sauce optional
  • Wood chips hickory or apple
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Method
 

  1. Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs and pat dry with paper towels.
  2. Rub yellow mustard all over the ribs to help the seasoning stick better.
  3. Season the ribs generously with dry rib rub, ensuring full coverage on both sides.
  4. Preheat your smoker to 225°F and load it with hickory or apple wood chips.
  5. Place ribs meat-side up directly on the smoker grates and smoke unwrapped for 3 hours.
  6. Spritz the ribs every hour with apple juice to keep them moist during the smoking process.
  7. After 3 hours, wrap the ribs tightly in foil and return them to the smoker for another 2 hours.
  8. Unwrap the ribs, brush with BBQ sauce if desired, and smoke for 1 more hour to develop bark.
  9. Check internal temperature; ribs are done when they reach 190°F–203°F for the perfect smoked ribs texture.
  10. Rest the ribs for 10 minutes before slicing and serving your ultimate smoked ribs recipe.

Notes

  • Use apple wood for a milder, sweeter smoke flavor.
  • Spritz ribs hourly with apple juice to keep them juicy.
  • Wrap ribs tightly in foil after 3 hours to avoid drying out.
  • Substitute spare ribs for baby back ribs if you prefer a meatier bite.
  • Always check doneness with a thermometer instead of relying only on time.