Smoked St. Louis-Style Ribs Recipe
These smoked St. Louis ribs are slow-cooked on a Traeger grill using the 3-2-1 method for perfect tenderness. Coated in a flavorful dry rub, wrapped with apple juice and cider vinegar, and finished with a rich Apricot BBQ Sauce, these ribs are smoky, juicy, and packed with bold BBQ flavor. Perfect for any backyard cookout or BBQ feast!
Equipment
- electric smoker or pellet grill
Ingredients
For the Ribs
- 1 rack of St. Louis-style pork ribs
- 2 tablespoon yellow or Dijon mustard binder
- ½ cup favorite BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup apple juice
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons butter cut into small pieces
For the dry rub
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- or BBQ rub of choice
Instructions
Prep the Ribs
- Remove the membrane and any sinew, small chunks of fat, and the flap of meat on the backside of the spare ribs.
- Pat the ribs dry with a paper towel and rub a thin layer of yellow mustard over both sides.
- In a small bowl, mix all the dry rub ingredients. Apply generously to both sides of the ribs
Smoke the Ribs
- Preheat your Traeger grill (or any pellet grill or electric smoker) to 225°F.
- Place ribs meat side up on the smoker grates.
- Smoke for 3 hours uncovered, letting the rub form a bark.
Wrap and Tenderize
- Lay out a double layer of aluminum foil or butcher paper and place the ribs meat side down.
- Pour apple juice and apple cider vinegar over the ribs.
- Add butter pieces, then wrap the foil tightly to create a sealed packet.
- Place the wrapped ribs back in the smoker and cook for 2 more hours.
Sauce and Caramelization
- Carefully unwrap the juicy ribs and place them back on the smoker for the last hour.
- Brush with your favorite BBQ sauce.
- Smoke for an additional hour, allowing the sauce to caramelize.
Rest, Slice, and Serve
- Remove ribs from the smoker and let them rest on a cutting board for 10 minutes.
- Use a good sharp knife to slice into the rib meat between the bones.
- Serve with extra BBQ sauce and a side of potato salad.
Notes
Calorie Disclaimer:
The nutritional information provided is intended for informational purposes only. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, the actual nutritional content of recipes may vary depending on various factors, including the specific ingredients used, portion sizes, and cooking methods.