Smoked Rib Rub Recipes

SMOKED RIBS WITH DRY RUB

Steps:

• Soak apple wood smoking chips in water, about 15 minutes. Set up a grill for indirect cooking over medium heat (leave one side with no heat source). Drain the wood chips. If using a gas grill, put the chips in a smoker box and place over the heat source; if using a charcoal grill, place the wet chips directly on top of the coals.
• Make the rub: Combine 1/4 cup salt, 2 tablespoons pepper, the garlic powder, oregano, celery seeds, paprika, chili powder and ancho chile powder in a bowl. Set aside about one-third of the mixture for sprinkling on the ribs when finished.
• Make the ribs: Combine the vinegar, lemon juice and 1/4 cup water in a spritzer bottle. This will be used for basting, which will keep the ribs moist and tender and help the rub stick.
• Rub the ribs all over with the remaining dry rub, then put them on the cooler side of the grill (not over direct heat; you want the ribs to cook low and slow). Cover and cook 2 hours and 30 minutes, spraying the ribs with the vinegar mixture two or three times throughout the cooking. When the ribs are just about done, give them a final spray and sprinkle liberally with the reserved dry rub so the finished ribs are coated with all that delicious flavor.

SMOKED BABY BACK RIBS

Steps:

• Prepare the ribs (see below). Combine the brown sugar, chili powder, paprika, cumin, mustard powder and 2 tablespoons salt in a small bowl. Rub the ribs all over with the cut sides of the lemon and then the spice mixture and place in a large roasting pan or resealable plastic bag. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Meanwhile, soak the wood chips in water 1 hour, then prepare your grill for smoking, filling the smoker box with one-quarter each of the wood chips and apple.
• About 30 minutes before smoking, remove the ribs from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature. Meanwhile, combine the apple juice, Worcestershire sauce and vinegar in a small spray bottle. Shake to mix.
• Once the grill reaches 250 degrees F, lightly brush the grates with vegetable oil and place the ribs on the cooler side of the grill, meat-side up. Spray with the apple juice mixture. Close the grill and let smoke 1 hour.
• Replenish the smoker box with another one-quarter each of the wood chips and apple. Flip the ribs so they're meat-side down with the opposite edge of the racks closer to the smoker box. Spray with the apple juice mixture; close the grill and let smoke 1 more hour. Repeat this process every hour until the ribs are dark brown and tender and the meat starts to shrink away from the bones, about 2 more hours. Remove the ribs from the grill and let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
• How to prep your ribs:
• Position the ribs meat-side down. Insert a paring knife under the membrane that covers the back of the rack. Loosen the membrane with the knife. Grab the membrane with your fingers and peel off completely.

SMOKED RIB RUB RECIPE

Steps:

• Mix your dry spices together in a small bowl or other container.
• If it hasn't been done already, flip your ribs over and make a small cut into the white membrane cover the back closest to one of the ends.
• Using a paper towel to help grip, slowly and gently pull the membrane down until it separates from the ribs, using a knife to clean up any scraps.
• Liberally coat both sides of your ribs in spices, rubbing into the meat to ensure everything is covered.
• Wrap the rack in plastic wrap and place on a large baking tray in the refrigerator over night and up to a full 24 hours to let the flavors develop.
• Half an hour before cook time, take your ribs from the fridge and let them start to warm up at room temperature.
• This helps them to cook more evenly while they're smoking as the inside and outside will be roughly even in temperature, avoiding overcooking the outside with a raw inside.
• Additionally, soak your wood chips in hot water at this time if you're using them instead of chunks.
• Fill your smoker halfway with charcoal and light it.
• Close the lid and allow it to start heating up.
• If you're using a thermometer, it should read around 225 degrees Fahrenheit.
• When your charcoal has burnt down and your smoker is up to temperature, add more charcoal, toss on your wood, add the grate, fill the water tank, and close the lid once again.
• This gives the wood a chance to start smoking and the new material a chance to burn.
• After another ten minutes or so, you're finally ready to cook.
• Place your ribs meat side up into the center of your smoker and close the lid.
• Depending on the type of rib you use, it'll most likely take around four hours to cook fully (baby backs run shorter, St. Louis run longer).
• You can check this by sight if the meat has begun to pull away from the bones or by temperature when a rib measures 195 degrees Fahrenheit internally.
• As your ribs smoke, make sure to monitor the levels of wood, charcoal, and water in your smoker and add more of each as needed.
• Additionally, keep the temperature consistent by adjusting the air vents, especially when introducing new fuel to the fire.
• Every half hour, spray your ribs down with apple juice or apple cider from a spray bottle.
• This both flavors the meat and helps keep the outside moist during the long cooking process.
• In the last half hour of cooking, paint on a thick layer of barbecue sauce across the meat and allow it to caramelize on the outside, though be careful not to burn it.
• If it appears to be burning, remove the ribs from the heat or tent them in aluminum foil until they're fully cooked.
• After removing your ribs from the smoker, allow them to rest half an hour at minimum while wrapped loosely in aluminum foil.
• This gives the meat a chance to relax after being cooked and lets the juices redistribute throughout, making for a more tender, flavorful, and juicy rib.
• Use this time strategically to finish any side dishes or meal prep you hadn't to gotten yet.
• Once the ribs have rested, it's time to eat.

RIB DRY RUB

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Store in an airtight container. Pack on the dry rub onto your next rack of ribs.

SWEET SMOKED PORK RIBS

Steps:

• Stir salt, white sugar, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, black pepper, white pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, paprika, and cumin together in a small bowl to make the dry rub. Rub the spice mixture into the baby back ribs on all sides. Wrap the ribs well with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes prior to cooking.
• Unwrap baby back ribs and place onto the wire racks of the smoker in a single layer.
• Place the racks into a smoker, fill the smoker pan with apple, grape, pear, or cherry chips, and bring the smoker to 270 degrees F (130 degrees C). Smoke for 1 hour.
• Stir together the apple juice, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and the barbeque sauce. Brush the ribs with the sauce every 30 to 45 minutes after the first hour. Cook the ribs in the smoker until the meat is no longer pink and begins to "shrink" back from the bones, 3 to 4 hours. Brush the sauce onto the ribs one last time 30 minutes before the ribs are ready to be taken out of the smoker.
• Once the ribs are done, wrap them tightly with aluminum foil, and allow to rest 10 to 15 minutes. This will allow the juices to reabsorb into the meat and make the ribs moist.

SMOKED BRISKET RUB

Steps:

• Mix paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, chile powder, cumin, coriander, oregano, and cayenne pepper together in a bowl until well blended.