321 Baby Back Ribs Recipe
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
40 mins
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Cook Time
6 hrs
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Servings
6
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Calories
525 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
321 Baby Back Ribs Recipe
Description
The 321 Baby Back Ribs Recipe centers on preparing baby back ribs rubbed with pork lard and a blend of salt, black pepper, garlic granules, onion powder, and paprika. After removing the membrane to improve tenderness, the ribs are smoked at a controlled low temperature (225°F) for three hours, allowing the smoke and seasoning to penetrate deeply. Near the end, a sauce combining BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, apple juice, water, and butter is heated and applied, adding moisture and a subtle sweet-tart finish.
This recipe produces smoky, tender ribs with a balance of savory spices and hints of fruitiness from the apple vinegar and juice. The long slow cooking yields meat that is soft and flavorful, ideal as a main dish for gatherings or casual meals.
For best results, keep the ribs warm after smoking if not serving immediately, as maintaining temperature preserves tenderness. The methodical seasoning and smoking are key for developing the characteristic flavors of well-prepared baby back ribs.
Ingredients
- 2 baby back ribs racks, 1/2 to 2 pounds each
- 6 tablespoons pork lard
- 1 tablespoon salt coarse
- 2 teaspoons black pepper ground
- 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 cups BBQ sauce
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup apple juice
- ½ cup water
- 1 butter unsalted, stick
Instructions
- Add your wood to your hopper, start making coals, and preheat your smoker until it reaches 225°.
- Remove the membrane on the back side of the ribs by using a butter knife to wedge in between the meat and the membrane and lift to expose it.
- Rip the membrane off in both directions, completely removing it. If you need to get a good grip, use a paper towel to hold on and rip it off.
- Next, rub the baby back ribs down on each side with 1 ½ tablespoons of pork lard or another bunder completely covering it.
- Generously season the ribs on each side with ¾ teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of pepper, ¾ teaspoon of garlic granules, ¾ teaspoon of onion granules, and ¾ teaspoon of paprika.
- Place the ribs 2 to 3 inches apart on the smoker bone side down, close the smoker door, and smoke for 3 hours at 225°.
- With about 15 minutes left in the 3-hour smoking process, add the BBQ sauce and apple cider vinegar, apple juice, water, and butter to a medium-sized pot and heat it up over low heat until the butter is melted. Keep it warm.
- Remove the ribs from the smoker and place one rack bones side down in the center of a 36” sheet of peach or butcher’s paper about 6” from the bottom.
- Brush on about 3 to 4 tablespoons of the hot BBQ sauce on each side of the ribs.
- Next, fold the bottom of the peach paper up over the ribs. There should be about 1” inch of the ribs at the top that are still exposed. Fold the right side of the paper over to the center and make a crease. Do the same thing to the left side. Fold forward twice, wrapping the baby ribs completely with the open fold underneath the ribs. Repeat the same saucing and wrapping process with the other rack of ribs.
- Place the ribs back onto the smoker and smoke at 225° for 2 hours.
- Remove the ribs from the smoker and remove them from the peach paper. It’s okay if the paper is saturated from the sauce and ribs.
- Put the ribs back out on the smoker bone side down 2 to 3 inches apart from each other brush 2 to 3 tablespoons of the BBQ sauce on the top of the baby backs, and smoke for 1 more hour.
- Take the ribs off the smoker, cover them with foil, and let them rest for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Finish by brushing more hot BBQ sauce onto the smoked ribs. Slice and serve.
Notes
- Remove the membrane completely for better seasoning absorption and tenderness.
- The ribs are best eaten shortly after smoking to enjoy optimal texture.
- To keep ribs warm, cover with foil and place in a low oven if needed before serving.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 525 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 525kcal | 26% |
| Carbohydrates | 44g | 15% |
| Protein | 19g | 38% |
| Fat | 30g | 46% |
| Saturated Fat | 17g | 85% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 66mg | 22% |
| Sodium | 2232mg | 93% |
| Potassium | 553mg | 12% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 34g | 68% |
| Vitamin A | 817IU | 16% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 76mg | 8% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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