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Tender Smoke Baby Back Ribs 3-2-1 Method Easy Juicy Recipe Guide

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A foolproof 3-2-1 smoking method for tender, juicy baby back ribs with minimal hands-on time and simple ingredients, perfect for backyard BBQs.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 full rack baby back ribs (about 2 to 2.5 pounds / 900 to 1150 grams), trimmed and membrane removed
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1/2 cup apple juice or cider
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions

  1. Prep the ribs (15 minutes): Remove the silver skin membrane from the back of the ribs using a butter knife and paper towel. Pat ribs dry.
  2. Apply the dry rub (10 minutes): Mix brown sugar, paprika, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Generously coat both sides of ribs with rub. Let sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes.
  3. Preheat the smoker (20 minutes): Set smoker or grill to 225°F (107°C) using indirect heat. Add soaked wood chips (hickory or applewood).
  4. Smoke the ribs unwrapped (3 hours): Place ribs bone-side down on smoker grate. Maintain steady smoke and temperature. Avoid opening smoker frequently.
  5. Wrap the ribs (2 hours): Place ribs on heavy-duty foil, pour apple juice or cider over ribs, seal foil tightly. Return to smoker and cook for 2 hours to steam and tenderize.
  6. Unwrap and glaze (1 hour): Remove ribs from foil, place back on smoker. Brush barbecue sauce on both sides. Cook for 1 hour, reapplying sauce every 15-20 minutes to build glaze.
  7. Rest and serve (10 minutes): Remove ribs from heat and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing between bones.

Notes

Remove the silver skin membrane for tenderness. Maintain steady 225°F temperature. Soak wood chips before use. Wrap ribs tightly in foil to trap steam. Apply sauce only in the last hour to avoid burning. Spritz ribs with apple juice and water every hour if they start drying out. If ribs are not tender after 6 hours, wrap and cook longer.

Nutrition

Keywords: baby back ribs, smoked ribs, 3-2-1 method, barbecue ribs, easy ribs recipe, smoked barbecue, tender ribs, juicy ribs

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/tender-smoke-baby-back-ribs-3-2-1-method-easy-juicy-recipe-guide/