3 2 1 Smoked Bbq Ribs Recipes

MEATHEAD'S LAST MEAL RIBS RECIPE

Steps:

• Prep. Rinse the ribs in cool water to remove any bone bits from the butchering.
• If the butcher has not removed the membrane from the under side, do it yourself. It gets leathery and hard to chew, it keeps fat in, and it keeps sauce out. To remove it, insert a butter knife under the membrane, then your fingers, work a section loose, grip it with a paper towel, and peel it off. If you can't get the skin off, with a sharp knife, cut slashes through it every inch so some of the fat will render out during the cooking. Click here to see more photos of how to skin 'n' trim ribs and here's a quickie 1 minute video of the technique.
• Trim the excess fat from both sides of the rack of ribs.
• Next it is time to add the salt. The rule of thumb is 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt per pound of meat, but ribs are about 50% bone, so use about 1/4 teaspoon per pound. You can simply eyeball it by sprinkling on the same amount of salt you would sprinkle on the ribs if they were served to you unsalted. If you can, give the salt 1 to 2 hours to be absorbed. The process of salting in advance is called dry brining.
• Before adding a BBQ rub, be aware of double salt jeopardy! Rubs and spice blends are a great way to add flavor to meat, but almost all commercial rubs contain salt so be careful not to pre-salt the ribs if you plan on using one of these rubs otherwise they will be unbearably salty. Also note that some ribs sold in grocery stores are labeled as "enhanced" or "flavor enhanced" or "self-basting" or "basted," meaning that they have been injected with a brine at the packing plant so if you are using these you probably want to use a rub that doesn't include salt like our Meathead's Memphis Dust recipe.Some folks insist on putting the barbecue rub on the night before, but it isn't necessary. The molecules in spices are too large to penetrate more than a tiny fraction of an inch. Read this for the science.
• Before applying the rub, just coat the meat with a thin layer of water. The water helps dissolve the spices. A lot of cooks like to use mustard under the rub as a form of glue. Mustard is water, vinegar, and maybe white wine (all mostly water) with mustard powder mixed in. The amount of mustard powder is so small that by the time the water steams off and drips away, the mustard powder remaining is miniscule. My experience is that using a mustard slather makes little or no difference in the final outcome. If you want a mustard flavor, you will do much better by simply sprinkling it on the meat. Once wet, sprinkle enough Meathead's Memphis Dust to coat all surfaces but not so much that the meat doesn't show through. That is about 2 tablespoons per side depending on the size of the slab. Spread the Memphis Dust on the meat and rub it in.
• Fire up. Pre-heat your barbecue smoker or set up your grill for 2-zone (indirect) cooking. Adjust the dampers on your cooker to bring the temperature to about 225°F and try to keep it there throughout the cook. Cooking at 225°F will allow the meat to roast low and slow, liquefying the collagen in connective tissues and melting fats without getting the proteins knotted in a bunch. It's a magic temp that creates silky texture, adds moisture, and keeps the meat tender. If you can't hit 225°F, get as close as you can. Don't go under 200°F and try not to go over 250°F.When monitoring the cooker temperature you can absolutely positively noway nohow rely on bi-metal dial thermometers. If you are not monitoring your cooker with a good digital oven thermometer, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. Using a dial thermometer is like trying to send email with a typewriter. Click here to read my buyer's guide to thermometers.Once you have reached the desired temperature, add about 4 ounces of dry wood, placing it as close to the flame as possible.
• Cook. Put the slabs in the cooker in indirect heat, meaty side up, close the lid, go drink a beer, read a book, or make love.
• When the smoke dwindles after 20 to 30 minutes, add another 4 ounces of wood. After that, DO NOT add any more wood. On your first attempt, resist the temptation. Nothing will ruin a meal faster and waste money better than over-smoked meat. You can always add more the next time you cook, but you cannot take it away if you over-smoke.
• If you have more than one slab on, halfway through the cook you will need to move the ribs closest to the fire away from the heat, and the slabs farthest from the flame in closer. Leave the meat side up. There is no need to flip the slabs. You can peek if you must, but don't leave the lid open for long.
• This next step is known as the Texas Crutch. This optional trick involves wrapping the slab in foil with about an ounce of water for up to an hour to speed cooking and tenderize a bit. Almost all barbecue ribs competition cooks use the Texas Crutch to get an edge. But the improvement is really slight and I never bother for backyard cooking. If you crutch too long you can turn the meat to mush and time in foil can soften the bark and remove a lot of rub. I recommend it only for barbecue competitions when the tiniest improvement can mean thousands of dollars. Skip it and you'll still have killer ribs. But if you've seen it on TV and must try it, click here to learn more about The Texas Crutch. The Texas Crutch is it is baked into a popular technique called the 3-2-1 method which I do not recommend. Two hours in foil or butcher paper is far too long and can make the meat mushy. Try the Texas Crutch after you master the basics.
• For cooking time, allow 5 to 7 hours for St. Louis Cut (SLC) Ribs or Spare Ribs, and 3 to 5 hours for Baby Back Ribs. Thicker, meatier slabs take longer. If you use rib holders so they are crammed close to each other, add another hour.
• When it is time to find out whether or not the ribs are ready, we us the bend test (a.k.a. the bounce test). Although we insist that you buy a good digital meat thermometer for most smoking and grilling, this is one of the few meats on which you cannot use a meat thermometer because the bones have an impact on the meat temp and because the meat is so thin. To conduct the bend test, pick up the slab with tongs and bounce it gently. If the surface cracks as in the picture above, it is ready. Here are some other tricks to tell when ribs are ready.
• Once the ribs are done cooking it is time to add the sauce unless you intend to serve them "dry" like they do in Memphis. The key to saucing ribs is to go easy on it so that the meat can shine through. Simply paint both sides of the rack with your favorite home made barbecue sauce or store-bought barbecue sauce and cook for another 15 minutes or so. Don't put the sauce on earlier than that. It has sugar and there is a risk it can burn. Now here's a trick I like: Sizzle on the sauce. Put the ribs with sauce directly over the hottest part of a grill in order to caramelize and crisp the sauce. On a charcoal grill, just move the slab over the coals. On a gas grill, crank up all the burners. On a water smoker, remove the water pan and move the meat close to the coals. On an offset smoker, put a grate over the coals in the firebox and put the meat there. With the lid open so you don't roast the meat from above, sizzle the sauce on one side and then the other. The sauce will actually sizzle and bubble. Stand by your grill and watch because sweet sauce can go from caramelized to carbonized in less than a minute! One coat of a thick sauce should be enough, but if you need two, go ahead, but don't hide all the fabulous flavors under too much sauce. If you think you'll want more sauce, put some in a bowl on the table.
• Serve. Once sauced, slice the rack between the bones. If you've done all this right, you will notice that there is a thin pink layer beneath the surface of the meat. This does not mean it is undercooked! It is the highly prized smoke ring caused by the combustion gases and the smoke. It is a sign of Amazing Ribs. Now plate, serve to your guests, and take a bow when the applause swells from the audience.

EASY 3-2-1 BBQ RIBS

Steps:

• Set up your smoker for indirect cooking. Set it up so your ribs will not be placed directly above the embers or fire of your BBQ smoker. Add your choice of hardwood to coals, e.g. apple wood. Allow the smoker to heat up to our target temperature of 225°F.
• Remove the membrane from the back side of the ribs
• Apply BBQ rub to both sides of the ribs. Work into every area of the ribs that you can. Apply generously.
• With your smoke fully heated up and at 225°F, transfer the ribs to the smoker in the indirect zone. Close the lid and leave to smoke for 3 hours.
• Transfer ribs to aluminum foil placed upon cooking surface. Create a pouch with the ribs in. Apply the brown sugar across the top side of the ribs, and place the bits of butter on top. Sprinkle the apple juice/cider over. Tightly fold and crimp the aluminum foil to create an airtight pouch.
• Transfer rib pouch back to the smoker and continue to cook at 225°F. Let the ribs cook for a further 2 hours.
• Remove the rib pouch from the grill and transfer to cooking surface. Carefully open pouch and allow steam to escape. Remove ribs and discard pouch and liquid contents.
• Use a brush to apply BBQ sauce liberally across the ribs, on both sides. Close lid and continue to smoke at 225°F for a final hour, or until BBQ sauce has set.

3-2-1 SMOKED BBQ RIBS

Steps:

• Trim any messy flaps from the ribs and remove the membrane. Rub mustard into the ribs.
• Combine chili powder, paprika, brown sugar, sea salt, and garlic salt for dry rub in a small bowl; mix until well combined. Transfer to a shaker and sprinkle evenly over ribs. Let sit for 10 minutes to 2 hours.
• Preheat a smoker to 225 degrees F (107 degrees F) according to manufacturer's instructions. Add wood chips to the smoker.
• Place ribs on the preheated smoker and smoke for 3 hours.
• Remove ribs from the smoker and place on 2 pieces of aluminum foil. Stir together apple juice, brown sugar, and melted butter; pour over ribs to cover. Wrap ribs tightly with the foil and return to the smoker for 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, combine BBQ sauce and apple juice for the glaze until thin. Remove ribs from the smoker, unwrap, and discard foil. Paint on the sauce and return to the smoker until sauce has set, 15 to 30 minutes. Repeat this glaze step for a deeper finish, if desired.
• Remove ribs from the smoker and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

3-2-1 RIBS: PERFECT FALL OFF THE BONE RIBS

Steps:

• Begin by removing the membrane on the back of the ribs
• Liberally season both sides of the ribs using the sweet rub, starting with the bone side.
• Prepare your smoker for indirect smoking. Target temperature is between 180-200 with thin blue smoke. Place the seasoned ribs on the smoker and close the lid. Leave them to smoke for 3 hours.
• Tear off a large piece of aluminum foil and place it on a large working surface. Transfer the ribs to the foil bone side up so the bones don't tear through the foil. Sprinkle with the brown sugar, top with the butter cut into small pads, and then pour over the apple cider.
• Tightly crimp the foil together to create an airtight seal. Return to the grill and increase your cooking temperature to as close to 225 degrees as you can get it. Let the ribs braise for 2 hours in the foil.
• Carefully remove the ribs from the grill and place on a large working surface. Open the foil package (be careful of hot steam) and use tongs to remove the ribs and place them back on the grill, bone side down. Discard the foil and excess cooking liquid,
• Brush the ribs with your favorite BBQ sauce, close the lid of your grill and cook at 225 degrees for an additional hour until the ribs are done to your desired tenderness and the sauce is sticky and set.

SMOKED PORK RIBS - BETTER THAN 321 !!!

Steps:

• Rinse the ribs in cold water and pad dry. Trim any excess fat or connective tissue. Only leave what you want to eat.
• Once the ribs are prepped, I apply my favorite rub generously. Make sure to cover all the sides and edges of the ribs.Cover the ribs and keep in the fridge for 2 hours or more.
• Remove the ribs from the fridge and allow to warm slightly on the counter. Fire up the smoker to 225F. I use Pecan or Cherry, when smoking ribs.
• Once the smoker is at proper temp, place the ribs on the grill meat side up.
• Now you can pretty much wait for the three hours to pass or some fanatics prefer to spritz their ribs every 30-45 minutes with a 50/50 mixture of apple cider vinegar and water. Adding moisture to the ribs aids in a smoky bark. After three hours, remove the ribs and place each rack meat side up on a large piece of Heavy Duty tin foil.
• Brush melted butter over the tops of the ribs then followed by brushing the melted honey. You can spritz the ribs for extra moisture at this time. Flip the racks around so the bone side is facing up. Brush with melted butter and melted honey.
• Leave the racks bone side up and wrap the ribs tightly. Place back on the smoker bone side up for 45-60 minutes. Keep the temp at 225F. Optional: If you want the ribs more tender or closer to fall of the bone, cook in the foil for 1.5-2 hours.
• Remove the ribs from the foil and place back on the grill. Brush the ribs with your favorite bbq sauce. Cook for approximately 30-45 more minutes at 225F.
• Check for doneness by using your grill tongs and pickup up the ribs and give them a slight bounce. If the meat starts to slightly split, the ribs are done.Remove from the smoker and cover in foil. Let rest for 10 minutes.
• Be a professional and take a sharp knife (I use a Henkel Serrated Bread Knife) and cut each rib individually. You'll notice how the ribs don't fall apart as you cut. Also look for that beautiful pink smoke ring.

BBQ 3-2-1 ST. LOUIS RIBS RECIPE | TRAEGER GRILLS

Steps:

• When ready to cook, set the Traeger temperature to 180℉ and preheat with the lid closed for 15 minutes. For optimal flavor, use Super Smoke, if available.
• If your butcher has not done so already, remove the thin silverskin membrane from the bone-side of the ribs by working the tip of a butter knife underneath the membrane over a middle bone. Use paper towels to get a firm grip, then tear the membrane off.
• Season both sides of the ribs generously with Traeger Pork & Poultry Rub.
• Insert the probe into the center of a rack of ribs, avoiding the bones. Place the ribs directly on the grill grates, meat-side up. Close the lid and smoke for 3 hours.
• Transfer the ribs to a rimmed baking sheet and increase the Traeger temperature to 225℉. Preheat the grill with the lid closed.
• Tear off 4 long sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Place a rack of ribs on top of the foil. Sprinkle half the brown sugar over the ribs and drizzle with half of the honey. Wrap tightly to create a leak-proof pouch and repeat with the remaining rack of ribs.
• Return the wrapped ribs to the grill, meat-side down. Re-insert the probe. Close the lid and cook for 2 hours.
• Carefully unwrap the ribs (watch out for hot steam), and brush on both sides with Traeger BBQ sauce. Discard the foil. Place the ribs directly on the grill grates, bone-side down, and re-insert the probe. Grill until the sauce tightens, 30-60 minutes.
• Remove the ribs from the grill and let rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!

SMOKED BBQ RIBS - TRAEGER GRILLS

Steps:

• Pat the ribs dry with paper towels and peel the membrane from the back of each rack.
• Apply an even coat of Traeger Pork & Poultry Rub to the front, back and sides of the ribs. Let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 4 hours.
• When ready to cook, set the Traeger temperature to 225℉ and preheat with the lid closed for 15 minutes. For optimal flavor, use Super Smoke, if available.
• Insert the probe into the center of a rack of ribs, avoiding the bones. Place the ribs, bone-side down, directly on the grill grates. Close the lid and smoke until the internal temperature reaches 201°F, about 4 1/2 hours. Add the apple juice to a spray bottle and spritz the ribs after 1 hour of cooking and every 45 minutes thereafter.
• Brush the ribs on both sides with a light layer of Traeger BBQ sauce. Continue cooking until the sauce sets, about 10 minutes.
• Remove the ribs from the grill and let rest for 10 minutes, then slice between the bones into individual ribs. Serve with more Traeger BBQ Sauce. Enjoy!

3-2-1 PORK BABY BACK RIBS

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, combine all the rub ingredients and mix until thoroughly incorporated.
• Add mayonnaise all over the ribs and spread the mixture thinly on both sides of the ribs and season with rub.
• When ready to cook, set smoker temperature to 180℉ and preheat, lid closed for 15 minutes. Smoke the ribs, meat-side up for 3 hours.
• After the ribs have smoked for 3 hours, remove from the smoker and transfer them to a rimmed baking sheet. Increase the grill temperature to 225 ℉.
• Tear off four long sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Top with a rack of ribs and pull up the sides to keep the liquid enclosed. Sprinkle half the brown sugar on each rack, then top each with half the honey and half the juice.
• Fold the existing foil or lay another piece of foil on top of each rib if needed to completely cover and tightly crimp the edges so there is no air or steam leakage.
• Return the wrapped ribs to the grill and cook for 2 hours, taking care not to puncture the foil packets.
• After 2 hours have passed, carefully remove and discard the foil, drain the liquid, and brush the ribs on both sides with BBQ sauce (we used Traeger 'Que Sauce).
• Place ribs directly on the grates and continue to smoke at 225 ℉ until the sauce thickens to your liking, about 30 to 60 minutes.
• Let the ribs rest for 10-20 minutes before cutting and serving. Enjoy!