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4.9 from 132 votes

How to Make St Louis Style Ribs

St. Louis Style Ribs are a soulful Southern treat. They’re tender, juicy, and full of flavor. Serve with your favorite BBQ sauces and sides!

Prep Time
40 mins
Cook Time
2 hrs 40 mins
Total Time
2 hrs 50 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 770 kcal
Course: Main Course , Lunch , Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 4 lbs St Louis style pork ribs
  • 1/4 cup yellow mustard
  • 1/4 cup apple juice (See Note 1)
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce of choice
Dry Rub
  • 2 tbsp fennel seeds (See Note 2)
  • 2 tbsp cumin seeds (See Note 2)
  • 1 tbsp coriander seeds (See Note 2)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp salt
  • 2 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp ground cayenne
  • 1 tbsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp dried oregano
  • 1 tbsp dry mustard

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Toast the fennel, coriander and cumin seeds in a sauté pan until fragrant and oils have been released. Grind in a spice grinder until in powder form. Feel free to use ground spices if you prefer, but use a 1/2 tsp LESS of each.
  2. In a small bowl whisk together the toasted/ground spices and all the remaining dry rub ingredients. Set aside.
  3. Peel membrane off from the back of ribs. Apply mustard on both sides of the ribs. Sprinkle dry rub all over both sides of the ribs.
  4. Let sit for 30 minutes minimum (or 8 hours, covered if refrigerated).
Grill Method
  1. Preheat gas grill or smoker to 350°F. Grill using indirect heat (See Note 3).
  2. Place the rack, bone side down on the grill, close the lid. Let the ribs cook for 30 minutes.
  3. Take ribs off grill and place on aluminum foil. Fold up sides, pour apple juice (mop sauce) over and wrap tightly in foil. You want this as watertight as possible after pouring in the apple juice.
  4. Place the wrapped ribs back on the grill, close the lid and increase temperature to 375°F for 30 minutes.
  5. Turn the heat down to 250°F. Unwrap the ribs, remove them from of the foil, and place them back on the grill. Baste with BBQ sauce every 15 minutes for a total of 60 minutes or until the internal temperature is 195°F. Allow to rest 10 minutes, slice and serve.
Oven Baked Method
  1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
  2. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place the rack, bone side down on the foil lined baking sheet and let the ribs bake for 30 minutes.
  3. Take ribs off baking sheet and place on a new sheet of aluminum foil (maybe use 2 sheets of aluminum foil to accommodate ribs). Fold up sides, pour apple juice (mop sauce) over and wrap tightly in the foil. You want this as watertight as possible after pouring in the apple juice.
  4. Place the wrapped ribs back on the baking sheet and increase oven temperature to 375°F and bake for 30 minutes.
  5. Turn the heat down to 250°F. Unwrap the ribs, remove them from of the foil, and place them back in the oven. Baste with BBQ sauce every 15 minutes for a total of 60 minutes, or until the internal temperature is 195°F. Allow to rest 10 minutes, slice and serve.

Notes

  • I'm using the apple juice as a mop sauce substitute here. For a tarter mop sauce, substitute apple cider vinegar for the apple juice.
  • If you are not using whole spices, use a 1/2 tsp LESS of each ground spice.
  • Grill using indirect heat: For gas grill do the 2 Zone set up which is either half the grill is lit to achieve desired temperature and the meat is placed on opposite side, or have sides lit leaving the center NOT on or lowest temperature. To grill using indirect heat on a charcoal BBQ or smoker, ignite charcoal and place it to one side of the grill, creating a space for the food or the center with meat you’re cooking not directly over those lit coals. Typically use a drip pan under the meat to avoid any flareups.
  • For pork, the accepted finished temperature is 145°F. However, the collagen inside your ribs hasn't had time to become gelatin for that perfect bite, which happens when the internal temperatures reach 165°F. It's recommended to continue cooking ribs until they reach an internal temperature of 195°F to 200°F for that fall off the bone goodness.

Nutrition Information

Calories 770kcal (39%) Carbohydrates 45g (15%) Protein 60g (120%) Fat 37g (57%) Saturated Fat 7g (35%) Cholesterol 223mg (74%) Sodium 1173mg (49%) Potassium 1302mg (37%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 35g (70%) Vitamin A 1670IU (33%) Vitamin C 2mg (2%) Calcium 167mg (17%) Iron 5.2mg (29%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 770

% Daily Value*

Calories 770kcal 39%
Carbohydrates 45g 15%
Protein 60g 120%
Fat 37g 57%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Cholesterol 223mg 74%
Sodium 1173mg 49%
Potassium 1302mg 28%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 35g 70%
Vitamin A 1670IU 33%
Vitamin C 2mg 2%
Calcium 167mg 17%
Iron 5.2mg 29%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.