4.8 from 62 votes
How to Smoke Pork Ribs
This guide explains how to smoke baby back pork ribs using wood pellets and a dry rub, combined with a mustard-based marinade. The ribs are smoked low and slow at 225°F for several hours, then wrapped with a sweet mixture of brown sugar, honey, butter, and bourbon to create a tender, flavorful finish.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
6 hrs
Total Time
6 hrs 20 mins
Servings:
6
servings
Calories:
1184 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 2 baby back ribs membrane removed, racks
- 1/3 cup yellow mustard
- 1/4 cup apple juice
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- dry rub generous amount, your favorite
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup honey
- 4 Tbsp butter
- 6 Tbsp bourbon , divided (or more apple juice)
- 1 cup barbecue sauce your favorite
Instructions
- Lay out 4 large sheets of aluminum foil and set aside. Fill hopper of smoker with wood pellets, I usually use hickory, but pecan or cherry would work as well.
- Remove membrane from back of ribs. Slide a butter knife into the bone-side of the rack of ribs and make a small slit. Grab the membrane and pull it off. Use a paper towel to get a better grip on it.
- Combine mustard, apple juice and Worcestershire sauce. Brush over ribs on both sides. Season ribs with dry rub on both sides. Be generous.
- Start smoker on the smoke setting for 5-10 minutes. Increase heat to 225 F degrees. Smoke the ribs, meaty side up, for 3 hours.
- Leave smoker on at 225 F degrees and place ribs on foil sheets. Sprinkle rack of ribs on both sides with half of brown sugar and honey, then top with 2 Tbsp of butter. Pour in 3 Tbsp bourbon. Repeat with remaining rack of ribs and remaining brown sugar, honey, butter and bourbon.
- Add another foil sheet on top of the ribs and crimp to seal tightly. Return foil packs of ribs to grill and cook for 2 hours.
- Carefully remove ribs from foil, and brush ribs with bbq sauce. Place ribs back on grill grate and grill for 1 hour. Slice and enjoy!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- For grilling, soak wood chips and use foil pouches changed each time the grill is opened to maintain smoke supply.
- Preheat grill and cook ribs on the cooler side to keep temperature around 225°F during smoking.
- Oven preparation includes adding liquid smoke to mustard marinade to simulate smoky flavor.
Nutrition Information
Calories
1184kcal
(59%)
Carbohydrates
55g
(18%)
Protein
88g
(176%)
Fat
62g
(95%)
Saturated Fat
15g
(75%)
Cholesterol
355mg
(118%)
Sodium
1033mg
(43%)
Potassium
1638mg
(35%)
Sugar
50g
(100%)
Vitamin A
390IU
(8%)
Vitamin C
0.8mg
(1%)
Calcium
144mg
(14%)
Iron
4.7mg
(26%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 1184
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 1184kcal | 59% |
| Carbohydrates | 55g | 18% |
| Protein | 88g | 176% |
| Fat | 62g | 95% |
| Saturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Cholesterol | 355mg | 118% |
| Sodium | 1033mg | 43% |
| Potassium | 1638mg | 35% |
| Sugar | 50g | 100% |
| Vitamin A | 390IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 0.8mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 144mg | 14% |
| Iron | 4.7mg | 26% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.