Tender and delicious, these smoked baby back ribs are pure perfection. So tender in fact, that the meat falls right off the bone! Let me show you how to make the most amazing ribs using the 2-2-1 method.
Jump to:
- Quick Recipe Overview
- Why This Recipe Works
- What To Look For When Buying Ribs
- Dry Rub Ingredients
- Types of Smokers
- Preparing the Smoker
- 2-2-1 vs. 3-2-1 Method for Smoking Ribs
- How to Smoke Baby Back Ribs
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Expert Tips
- Baby Back Ribs in the Oven
- More Smoker Recipes
- Smoking Meat Made Easy!
- Smoked Baby Back Ribs
BBQ ribs are a summer classic and a backyard BBQ favorite. Whether you make these on a grill or in the smoker, people absolutely love them! But when it comes to smoked baby back ribs, people get really EXCITED! And they should. Smoked meat has the most amazing flavor. And these pork baby back ribs are no exception.
But tender, juicy, fall off the bone ribs don't just happen on their own. There's actually a method and a process they need to go through in order for them to reach that state. Using the 2-2-1 method, I'll show you exactly what's entailed to get you the most amazing smoked ribs every single time.
What To Look For When Buying Ribs
There are several things you need to know about buying baby back ribs. Make sure they are well marbled. There is a difference between marbled meat and excess fat that hasn't been trimmed. Make sure there isn't a lot of excess fat. Baby back ribs tend to be leaner and more tender. They are located near the pork loin. I also like to pick slabs that have a good amount of meat on the bones. I prefer buying from a local butcher, but Costco and Sam's Club also have a good quality and selection. Costco rib prices are typically pretty good. You can often catch them on sale at your local grocer, especially around the holidays so keep an eye out for sales.
Dry Rub Ingredients
Do you NEED to use a rub if you are using BBQ sauce? Not necessarily. But can you? YES! And in my opinion, you should!
It comes down to personal preference. I recommend using a dry rub because it enhances the flavor. When I'm eating ribs, I want to taste layers of flavor. I expect to taste the smokiness and spiciness in every single bite. While you can get these flavors from the smoker and from this easy to make homemade BBQ sauce recipe, the rub helps intensify the overall flavor.
I use brown sugar as a base for my rib rub. The other key flavor contributors are smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground dry mustard.
There is a difference between paprika and smoked paprika and it makes all the taste difference in the world. When it comes to smoking meat, I typically use a smoked paprika in my dry rubs. Regular paprika is crushed dried chilies. Smoked paprika uses chilies that are smoke-dried and then crushed.
Types of Smokers
Since we're smoking ribs, you're going to need a smoker. There are lots of different types of smokers to choose from on the market so let's talk about the most common ones at a high level.
- Propane Gas Smokers - I have a Smoke Hollow 38202G 38-Inch 2-Door Propane Gas Smoker. It runs off of a propane tank and is relatively easy to use. It's a vertical smoker and I can smoke multiple things at the same time.
- Electric Smokers are really affordable and easy to use. The smoker does all the hard work for you by maintaining the temperature pretty well.
- Pellet Smokers - The most popular pellet smokers on the market are Traeger Grills and Pit Boss Grills. Pellet smokers are highly versatile giving you the ability to roast, grill, smoke, and even bake! I also have a Traeger and use mine when I need to get the job done but don't have the patience or time to babysit the meat or the temperature. Just like an electric smoker, with a pellet smoker you just set the temperature you want it to smoke at and then take the meat off when it's fully cooked. Simple. Easy. Amazing results. That's what you get with a pellet smoker every single time.
- Charcoal Smokers - While this is an old school favorite, I find charcoal smokers to be the hardest to manage from a smoke, heat, and temperature perspective. The effort it takes to regulate the heat and manage the internal temperature can be very time consuming. But the flavor you get from a charcoal based smoker is incomparable to the rest.
Preparing the Smoker
For this recipe, I'm going to cover how to smoke ribs using a propane gas smoker and a pellet smoker. If you're using an gas smoker, you'll need to prepare the water pan, get the wood chunks ready, and preheat the smoker to 225°F. I go into detail on how to prepare a gas smoker here with my smoked chicken recipe in Step 4 – Preparing the Smoker. If you're using a pellet smoker, simply add the pellets into the chamber and preheat the smoker to 225°F.
2-2-1 vs. 3-2-1 Method for Smoking Ribs
If you're smoking baby back ribs, use the 2-2-1 method. Using this method will get you perfectly tender meat that will fall off the bone. This method entails smoking them for the first 2 hours directly on the smoker rack. After 2 hours, wrap the ribs in aluminum foil and baste on BBQ sauce and let them smoke for 2 more hours. For the last hour of smoking, remove them from the aluminum foil and then apply BBQ sauce directly to the ribs. You'll smoke them uncovered directly on the smoker rack for the final hour.
When smoking any other type of ribs, use the 3-2-1 method. This method entails smoking them for the first 3 hours directly on the smoker rack. After the 2 hours, wrap the ribs in aluminum foil and baste on BBQ sauce and let them smoke for 2 more hours. For the last hour of smoking, remove them from the aluminum foil and then apply BBQ sauce. You'll smoke them uncovered directly on the smoker rack for the final hour.
How to Smoke Baby Back Ribs
Now that you understand the different types of methods, let's jump into how to cook ribs using a smoker.
Step 1
First, rinse each slab under cool water. This will help get rid of any small bones that may be lingering on the surface. Next, make sure you remove the membrane (also called silverskin) under the ribs. This is the chewy whitish membrane and you don't want to eat this part. A lot of butchers will remove this for you, but if they don't take a butter knife and slide it under the membrane. Lift the membrane, pull, and remove. If there is excess fat, trim it off. Take the dry rub and massage it on both the front and back of the ribs. I like mine covered in rub.
From there, place each slab on a rack in the smoker bone side down. Lather on the BBQ sauce and smoke low and slow on 225°F for 2 hours.
After 2 hours, open the smoker and take a look at those smoked pork ribs. Fight the temptation to pull them off the smoker and take a bite because they are not done smoking yet.
Step 2
Now it's time to remove the them from the smoker and place them on a long piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Add another layer of BBQ sauce. Wrap each slab individually and tightly in the foil. The tighter the better. Place the aluminum wrapped slabs back in the smoker, bone side up, and smoke for another 2 hours.
Step 3
After 2 hours of smoking, remove the aluminum foil packet and unwrap. Add another layer of BBQ sauce and place them back on the smoker bone side down for 1 more hour.
Once they are done smoking, open the smoker and look at the perfectly smoked saucy ribs. Using tongs, remove each rack from the smoker and place them on a long cookie sheet. Let them rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
After the rest period, the meat should literally be falling off the bone!
Frequently Asked Questions
When it comes to smoking baby back ribs, I don't monitor for internal temperature. They are going to smoke for a total of 5-6 hours so they will be done and falling off the bone. That's how you know they are done.
My rule of thumb is to keep the smoker between 225°F and 250°F. I like to keep my smoker temperature as close to 225°F as possible but as long as it doesn't go over 250°F, you're still smoking low and slow.
Yes. If you like overly tender ribs, then use the 3-2-1 method. The 2-2-1 method will still result in tender fall off the bone ribs, but baby back ribs are already so tender that I've found this method to be perfect for my liking. I've found that the 3-2-1 method dries out baby back ribs. This works better for tougher cuts like short ribs and spare ribs, but smoking meat is both an art and a science so play around with the methods and see which one you like the most.
Expert Tips
- When smoking ribs with the 2-2-1 method, it's best to cook to time, color, and feel - not internal meat temperature.
- When it comes to making a good dry rub, you need a variety of different spices. That's why my rub recipe is so amazing...tons of variety, yet I use easy ingredients that can be found at your local grocery store.
- If you're smoking baby back ribs at 225°F, plan on about 5 hours of smoke time. If you are smoking at 250°F, plan for around 4 hours of smoking.
- The secret to smoking ribs is low and slow. When smoking baby backs, I keep my smoker hovering around 225°F, never letting it go over 250°F.
- Hickory, apple, or cherry wood are the best woods for smoking baby back ribs.
- If you have leftovers, wrap them in aluminum foil or an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To serve, reheat in a 350°F oven for 20 minutes or until heated through.
Baby Back Ribs in the Oven
If you don't have a smoker, you can make these in the oven! Start off by preheating the oven to 275°F. Massage the rub into the ribs and baste on the BBQ sauce. Wrap them tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil and bake for 2 hours.
From there, remove the ribs from the oven and open the aluminum foil. Using a basting brush, baste each slab with more BBQ sauce. Set the oven to broil and broil the ribs for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Smoked Baby Back Ribs are perfect for barbecues and family get togethers. If you're looking for an amazing Memorial Day, July 4th, or Labor Day smoker recipe, then this is the recipe for you!
More Smoker Recipes
If you're spending the time and effort to smoke these ribs, why not throw on a couple of side dishes that will perfectly pair? My Smoked Bacon Wrapped Asparagus requires no effort at all and everyone loves foods wrapped in bacon!
Smoked mac and cheese pairs perfectly with so many smoked meats. You just can't go wrong with this dish. Another bbq side dish that is amazing made on the smoker is this smoked baked beans recipe. This is a southern-style recipe that everyone loves. And if you've never had smoked potatoes, you'll love these smoked baby potatoes. They are velvety and fair well with any type of smoked pork, beef, chicken, or seafood!
My Latest Cookbook
Smoking Meat Made Easy!
Easy recipes for smoking meat that anyone can make at home―no experience required!
Explore the art and science of backyard smoking. This cookbook features all the essential info you need to get started, along with delicious recipes for smoked beef, pork, poultry, fish, and even sauces, sides, rubs and marinades!
- Smoking Meat 101 - Learn everything from choosing the right wood to preparing your smoker, controlling the temperature, and even smoking on a regular BBQ grill. Also includes quick reference charts!
- Simply Smoked - These recipes are designed to require nothing but your favorite meat, a simple smoker setup, and several hours of smoke time
- Build Your Skills - The recipes in each chapter get progressively more challenging, so you can decide which level of smoking you’re ready to take on.
Love this recipe? Leave a 5-star rating and a review below! I can't wait to hear how it turned out for you!
If you love smoking these baby back ribs, try smoking these smoked chicken leg quarters! If you have any questions, I'm here to help answer them!
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Smoked Baby Back Ribs
Equipment
- Smoker
Ingredients
- 2 slabs of baby back ribs
- 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
Instructions
Smoker Method
- Rinse each slab under cool water. Ensure the membrane under the ribs has been removed. If there is excess fat on your ribs, trim it off.
- Take the rub ingredients and mix well. Massage on both the front and back of the ribs.
- After the smoker is prepared and pre-heated, place each slab on the smoker racks, bone side down. Lather on the BBQ sauce and smoke low and slow on 225°F.
- After 2 hours, open the smoker and remove the ribs with a pair of tongs. Place them on a long piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil.
- Using a basting brush, add another layer of BBQ sauce. Wrap each slab individually and tightly in the foil. The tighter the better.
- Place the aluminum wrapped slabs of ribs back in the smoker, bone side up, and smoke for another 2 hours.
- Remove the aluminum foil packet and unwrap. Add another layer of BBQ sauce and place them back on the smoker, bone side down, for 1 more hour.
- After they are done smoking, remove each rack from the smoker and place them on a long cookie sheet. Let them rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Oven Method
- If you don't have a smoker, you can make these in the oven! Start off by preheating the oven to 275°F.
- Massage the rub into the ribs and baste on the BBQ sauce. Wrap them tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil and bake for 2 hours.
- After 2 hours, remove the ribs from the oven and open the aluminum foil.
- Using a basting brush, baste each slab with more BBQ sauce.
- Set the oven to broil and broil the ribs for 5 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- When smoking ribs with the 2-2-1 method, it's best to cook to time, color, and feel - not internal meat temperature.
- When it comes to making a good dry rub, you need a variety of different spices. That's why my rub recipe is so amazing...tons of variety, yet I use easy ingredients that can be found at your local grocery store.
- If you're smoking baby back ribs at 225°F, plan on about 5 hours of smoke time. If you are smoking at 250°F, plan for around 4 hours of smoking.
- The secret to smoking ribs is low and slow. When smoking baby backs, I keep my smoker hovering around 225°F, never letting it go over 250°F.
- Hickory, apple, or cherry wood are the best woods for smoking baby back ribs.
- If you have leftovers, wrap them in aluminum foil or an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To serve, reheat in a 350°F oven for 20 minutes or until heated through.
Nutrition
Update Notes: This post was originally published in May 2019, but was re-published with updated step-by-step instructions, pictures and tips in April 2022.
Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life
These look amazing and I love all of your great tips and advice on grilling! I usually leave the grilling to my husband, but since he's family is coming all the way from Norway to visit us this year, I'm on the hook for some American ribs. Can't wait to try this out!
Analida Braeger
Just had ribs for dinner and after seeing these beauties I really need some more , will be trying this next time 🙂
Saima
What a detailed and thorough post on how to smoke ribs. I love smoked ribs but have never made them at home, always had them at a friend's. Your recipe leaves me with no excuse not try some in my kitchen too!
Rob W.
I smoked 2 racks following this recipe to a T. They came out beautiful looking and tasted amazing. They were a little tough at the wider end though. Curious if I let them go to long or not long enough? Regardless, I will be trying this again.
Amanda Mason
I'm so glad you loved this recipe! On the toughness - it could have been that particular rack of ribs...you just don't know. If it was a larger rack of ribs, they may have benefited from cooking longer. Try it again next time and let me know how it turns out!!! So glad you loved the flavor!!
ian Collocott
Hi , First try with pellet smoker ( Weber ) Two racks of loin belly rib and used the 321 method.
End result ... Great success , fall off the bone pure pleasure.
Thank you
Amanda Mason
Hi Ian!
I am SOOO glad they were so amazingly wonderful and that my step-by-step instructions and recipe turned out so well for you! Congrats on getting your pellet smoker!! Make sure to check out my other smoker recipes on the site! I cant wait to hear what you think!!
Simon corcoran
Im new to smoking and it's been a nice learning curve and tonight we tried these and they were absolutely gorgeous will definitely be doing lots more get book so far
Amanda Mason
Thanks Simon!! So glad they came out not only beautiful but delicious, as well!! I'm glad you're enjoying my smoker cookbook!!
David
Amanda, thanks for my very first newsletter. Your ribs look amazing, almost identical to my method, except after the 2 hour smoke I baste mine with sprinkled brown sugar, drizzled with honey and spritzed with apple juice, then wrapped in foil for 2 hours. Your Dad is teaching you well, looking forward to more recipes. David.
Amanda Mason
Awe! Thank you David! Those are very kind words!! I can't wait to hear from you about which recipes of mine you try!!
Julia
The time it took to make this was so worth it. These fell RIGHT off the bone. My husband was so happy with these.
Amanda Mason
Hi Julia! NICE! I am SOOOO glad you loved these, and that your husband did too! Let me know what other recipes of mine you try! I can't wait to hear!!
Cheryl
I bought a smoker/charcoal grill (Masterbuilt) last summer and could not figure out why my barbeque baby back ribs were dry every time. It was frustrating...I tried and followed a couple of recipes from several different sites, but the meat was always dry. After readying Amanda's "Smoked Baby Back Ribs" I found that I should have been using the 2-2-1 method for baby back ribs instead of the 3-2-1 listed on other sites. She also offered a couple of other suggestions that I used and WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! My ribs came out moist and succulent - they were awesome (and there were no leftovers😉 )!
Thank you Amanda! I'll be trying more of your recipes!
Amanda Mason
Cheryl!! I'm so glad to hear that my methods worked so well for you! Yeah!! So glad you liked them!! I cant wait to hear what other recipes of mine you try so let me know!!
Savita
The ribs look so smokey and juicy. These are perfect for my family get-togethers during memorial day or the 4th of July. Thank you for sharing such an easy recipe.
Amanda Mason
I can't wait to hear how they turn out for you! And yes, they are perfect for a holiday summer bbq!