Baby Back Ribs, Smoked to Perfection

Learn how long to smoke ribs at 250 degrees with this recipe. Make smoked ribs that are buttery and crisp on the outside, moist and tender on the inside, and stay on the bone, using this variation of the 2-2-1 technique.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 4 hr 30 mins
• Total Time: 4 hr 40 mins
• Calories: 1700 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons salt
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 3 racks pork baby back ribs
• 0.25 cup barbeque sauce (such as KC Masterpiece® Original), or to taste

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Place 3 fist-sized chunks of wood in a smoker and heat to 250 degrees F (121 degrees C).

Step 2

While the wood burns down, mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and cumin together in a bowl. Apply rub to both sides of ribs.

Step 3

Add ribs to the smoker, bone-side down, once a thin blue smoke appears. Smoke for 2 hours.

Step 4

Reduce heat to 225 to 250 degrees F (107 to 121 degrees C). Wrap ribs lightly in aluminum foil to retain juices. Continue smoking for 1 1/2 hours more.

Step 5

Remove foil and continue to smoke until meat is tender but still stays on the bone, about 1 hour more, brushing lightly with barbeque sauce in the last 15 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 145 degrees F (63 degrees C).