Baby Back Ribs, Smoked to Perfection

Learn how long to smoke ribs at 250 degrees with this recipe. I like smoked ribs that are buttery and crisp on the outside, moist and tender on the inside, and stay on the bone. This recipe is a variation of the popular 2-2-1 technique for smoking baby back ribs.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 4 hr
• Total Time: 4 hr 10 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
• ¼ 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).