Smoked Baby Back Ribs

Using the generic "pork ribs" because baby backs are so enormous and meaty these days that there's really no difference in cooking them and spareribs. Never gotten less than rave reviews for these smoked ribs, and neither will you.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 5 hr
• Total Time: 5 hr 15 mins
• Calories: 892 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 cups apple juice
• 1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle light beer
• 2 (3 pound) racks of pork spareribs
• 6 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
• 1 cup BBQ rub, divided
• hickory and apple wood chips, unsoaked

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Remove silver skin from the back of each rack. Rub each rack with 1 teaspoon salt and let sit for 20 minutes.

Step 2

Slather 3 tablespoons mustard on 1 rack, then shake 1/3 cup BBQ rub on top; rub in on all sides until evenly coated. Repeat on the second rack and refrigerate both racks, covered, 8 hours to overnight. Set aside remaining BBQ rub.

Step 3

Remove ribs from the refrigerator and bring to room temperature, 20 to 30 minutes. Spread the remaining 1/3 cup rub over the ribs.

Step 4

Meanwhile, mix dry wood chips with charcoal in a smoker and preheat, according to manufacturer's instructions, until temperature is a steady 225 degrees F (107 degrees F).

Step 5

Place a water pan on the smoker (or use the smoker's water tray, if it has one) and add water to the depth of the fill line. Place ribs in the smoker and close the lid.

Step 6

Combine apple juice and beer in a spray bottle. Spritz ribs every hour, rotating each time you spray. Cook for 3 hours, then remove ribs and check temperature. Wrap ribs in aluminum foil, and return to the smoker.

Step 7

Smoke until meat pulls away easily from the bone, 1 3/4 to 2 hours. Remove from the grill and check temperature; an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 170 to 180 degrees F (77 to 82 degrees C). The ribs will be very juicy but the outside will not be crispy.

Step 8

Remove the foil and return ribs to the smoker. Cook until crispy, 15 to 30 minutes; an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 190 to 195 degrees F (88 to 91 degrees C). Remove from the grill and tent with foil to allow juices to resettle into the meat before slicing and serving.