What temperature should I smoke the ribs at?

Preheat your smoker to 225°F (107°C).

How long do I need to cook baby back ribs?

Expect cooking time to be around 3-5 hours for baby back ribs.

What should I look for to know when the ribs are done?

Look for a dark mahogany color, bones starting to shrink, and an internal temperature of around 200-206°F.

Easy Smoked Ribs Recipe

Name: Easy Smoked Ribs Recipe
Total time: 7 h
Yield: 4-6
Ingredients: 2 lbs baby back ribs; 2 tablespoons butter; 2 tablespoons barbecue rub (Using 'Honey Hog' from Meat Church is recommended.); 1 tablespoon honey; 1 cup apple juice (For spritzing, or use half water and half apple cider vinegar.)

DDavid LedbetterYouTube5-7 hoursserves 4-6

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Original video by David Ledbetter on YouTube4:15

About this recipe

If you're looking for a way to make tender, juicy baby back ribs that are packed with flavor, this Easy Smoked Ribs Recipe is your answer. Forget the complicated 3-2-1 method; this straightforward approach will have your friends and family raving about your grilling skills.

In just five simple steps, you can achieve that perfect smoky flavor and texture that makes ribs truly irresistible. With a few expert tips, you'll be well on your way to mastering the art of smoking ribs.

Ingredient notes

Using 'Honey Hog' barbecue rub from Meat Church is recommended for the best flavor.
For spritzing, you can use apple juice or a mixture of half water and half apple cider vinegar.

Tips from David Ledbetter’s video

Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs to improve texture; if it's hard to remove, score it with a knife.
Spritz the ribs once an hour with apple juice or a mixture of half water and half apple cider vinegar during the first two to four hours of smoking.
When wrapping the ribs in foil, add butter, more barbecue rub, and honey to baste them in fat and sugar until done.

Good to know

What temperature should I smoke the ribs at?: Preheat your smoker to 225°F (107°C).
How long do I need to cook baby back ribs?: Expect cooking time to be around 3-5 hours for baby back ribs.
What should I look for to know when the ribs are done?: Look for a dark mahogany color, bones starting to shrink, and an internal temperature of around 200-206°F.

No life story here — the video and the recipe are the whole point. All credit to David Ledbetter: watch the original on YouTube.

The recipe

Serves 4-6Time 5-7 hours

Ingredients

2 lbs baby back ribs
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons barbecue rub — Using 'Honey Hog' from Meat Church is recommended.
1 tablespoon honey
1 cup apple juice — For spritzing, or use half water and half apple cider vinegar.

Steps

1
Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs. If it’s hard to remove, score it with a knife.
2
Season the ribs with your choice of rub. Add a tiny bit of water to help the spices dissolve, then coat the ribs heavily. Let them sit for about an hour, but no more than two to three hours to avoid curing the meat.
3
Preheat your smoker to 225°F (107°C). Place the ribs on the smoker, squishing the ends together to minimize spreading. Expect cooking time to be around 3-5 hours for baby back ribs.
4
Spritz the ribs once an hour with apple juice or a mixture of half water and half apple cider vinegar. After 2-4 hours, check for a dark mahogany color and bones starting to shrink. When the internal temperature reaches around 160°F (71°C), prepare to wrap the ribs.
5
Wrap the ribs in two sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil with 2 tablespoons of butter, more barbecue rub, and a long bead of honey. Seal tightly and return to the smoker for another hour to an hour and a half.