A half slab of The Best Smoky Barbecue Baby Back Ribs on a parchment lined baking sheet. Six single ribs are displayed on the right hand side and four small pieces of corn on the cobb on the left, garnished with chives and lemon. A small dish of barbecue sauce is on the right hand bottom corner.

Light Up The Grill

How do you cook up the best smoky barbecue baby back ribs? The best barbecue begins long before the flames are lit. It starts with careful planning, selecting the best recipes, and choosing the ideal location. Whether it’s a sunny backyard, a picturesque park, or even a sandy beach, families and friends gather for summertime barbecues, often over generations, to continue traditions that have been preserved and cherished. It is a shared experience that forges connections, evokes nostalgia, and celebrates the values of togetherness and hospitality.

A slab of The Best Smoky Baby Back Ribs cooking on a barbecue grill. Four pieces of corn on the cobb with the husks still attached are on the rack above.

Six individually cut barbecue ribs displayed with a fork, a piece of corn and a small white bowl of barbecue sauce.

It’s All About The Meat

At the heart of every perfectly crafted barbecue dinner lies the meat. Each bite of this succulent barbecue ribs recipe is a symphony of smoky, sweet, and savory notes that you will set your cookout apart from the rest. It starts with a rub made up with a blend of delectable seasonings, then cooked low and slow to perfection. The ribs are generously coated with a smoky, tangy barbecue sauce, which will transform into a lustrous, caramelized glaze when transferred to the grill. The finished result will be meat so tender that it pulls away from the bone with ease.

A barbecue cookout feast. A casserole dish with barbecue baked beans is on the lower right hand side corner. A blue bowl with coleslaw is on the left hand lower corner. A tray of The Best Smoky Barbecue Baby Back Ribs, corn on the cobb and a small bowl of barbecue sauce sits on the upper left hand corner. A blue bowl of potato salad is on the upper right hand corner.

The Best Smoky Barbecue Baby Back Ribs Dinner. A white plate with a serving of ribs, baked beans, and potato salad is in the upper right hand corner. A tray with a slab of ribs and corn on the cob is in the lower left hand corner, garnished with rosemary and lemon.

Whether you’re a backyard grill enthusiast or a seasoned pitmaster, this barbecue baby back ribs recipe offers a delightful fusion of flavors that you will return to time and time again. So, fire up the grill, invite your loved ones, and savor the magic of a perfect barbecue cookout.

Ingredients

A slab of baby back ribs

Dry Rub

Brown sugar
Kosher Salt
Smoked salt ( I used Viva Doria Applewood Smoked Salt )
Liquid smoke (I used Wright’s Brand)
Smoked paprika (I used Trader Joes Brand)
Chili powder
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Dry mustard
Black pepper
Homemade Smoky Jack Daniels Barbecue Sauce

Smoked Salt

Smoked salt is hard to find in my area. So, I ordered Viva Doria Applewood Smoked Salt from Amazon. It was well worth it! (I don’t have any affiliation to Amazon.) This salt has the authentic smoky smell and flavor of a real smoker

Liquid Smoke

It’s important to look for a good quality liquid smoke that doesn’t taste artificial. I used Wrights Liquid Smoke. You should use liquid smoke to taste. A little goes a long way, so start slow.

Smoked Paprika

Smoked paprika is another one of those spices that can have an artificial taste if it’s not high quality. I used Trader Joes Smoked Paprika. It has a nice delicate, smoky flavor that enhances the other flavors.

Instructions

Remove Membrane

A slab of pork ribs having the membrane removed with a kitchen knife along side.

Remove the membrane on the underside of the ribs. Using a knife, lift the membrane and pull. Grab it and peel it off.

Rub with Spices

The Best Smoky Barbecue Baby Back Ribs being seasoned with a dry rub on a cutting board.

Combine all the dry rub ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. For optimum flavor, coat the ribs on both sides with half the spice rub. Rub in well. Let it sit for 15 minutes and then rub in the remaining half of mixture.

Marinate the Ribs

The Best Smoky Baby Bake Ribs wrapped in plastic wrap while marinating in a glass baking dish.

Chill in refrigerator for at least 4 four hours or let it sit overnight.

Bake Low and Slow

The Best Smoky Barbecue Baby Back Ribs wrapped in foil in a glass baking dish.

Cut a piece of good quality aluminum foil about 6 feet. Create a packet for the ribs. Crimp the edges together. Make sure there are no holes or openings that would allow liquid to get out.

Place rib slab on a large baking dish or sheet. Bake in the oven at 275 degrees for 3 hours. Depending on the size of your slab, it could take more or less time. Meat should be fork tender. Let cook for at least 2 ½ hours before you check on it.

Bring on the Sauce

A tray of The Best Smoky Barbecue Baby Back Ribs, corn on the cobb and a small bowl of barbecue sauce.

For basting on the grill, you can use 2 cups of your favorite barbecue sauce or indulge by making your own. Try my Smoky Jack Daniels Homemade Barbecue Sauce.

Baste on the Grill

When ribs are cooked, remove from the foil packet. Generously brush on all sides with barbecue sauce. Place on hot grill. Grill on both sides until sauce is caramelized and lightly charred. Baste with more barbecue sauce.

Smoky Barbecue Baby Back Ribs

Recipe by Andrea's KeepersCourse: MainCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

hours

Ingredients

1 – 2 ½ pound slab baby back ribs
Dry Rub
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
1 ½ Teaspoon kosher salt
1 ½ Teaspoon smoked salt
½ Teaspoon liquid smoke
1 Tablespoon smoked paprika
2 Tablespoon chili powder
1 Tablespoon garlic powder
1 Tablespoon onion powder
1 Tablespoon dry mustard
1 Teaspoon black pepper
For basting – 2 cups of Homemade Smoky Jack Daniels Barbecue Sauce

Directions

Remove the membrane on the underside of the ribs. Using a knife, lift the membrane and pull. Grab it and peel it off.
Combine all the dry rub ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. For optimum flavor, coat the ribs on both sides with half the spice rub. Rub in well. Let it sit for 15 minutes and then rub in the remaining half of mixture. You many want to use rubber gloves to keep your fingers from smelling like smoke flavor.
Chill in refrigerator for at least 4 four hours or let it sit overnight.
Cut a piece of good quality aluminum foil about 6 feet. Create a packet for the ribs. Crimp the edges together. Make sure there are no holes or openings that would allow liquid to get out. Place rib slab on a large baking dish or sheet. Bake at 275 degrees for 3 hours. Depending on the size of your slab, it could take more or less time. Meat should be fork tender. Let cook for at least 2 ½ hours before you check on it.
Once ribs are cooked, remove from the foil packet. Generously brush on all sides with barbecue sauce. Place on hot grill. Grill on both sides until sauce is caramelized and lightly charred. Baste with more barbecue sauce.