These smoked baby back ribs are just fall-apart tender and incredibly juicy. The meat is so succulent and moist that they literally slide off the bone at the slightest tug and impart the richest and meatiest flavor you’ve ever had.
Just imagine how good these warm, sticky & tender smoked baby back ribs are.
They’ve been smoked low and slow, to perfectly soften the tissue of meat, while retaining it’s delicious juices and moist texture.
And the flavor from the rub, pairs perfectly with the melted taste of the soft rendered fat in every bite.
Summer time barbecues don’t get any better than this – when you have a nice rack of smoked baby back ribs on the grill. Add to that, this delicious Lillie’s Q Gold Barbeque Sauce, and you might just have the best ribs you’ve ever tasted.
What Are Baby Back Ribs?
Baby back ribs refer to the smaller set of curved ribs that sit just above the loin area of the pig. They are shorter and more curved than spare ribs and tend to be a bit leaner but slightly more tender, due to the fact that this muscle of the pig gets less usage.
It’s an incredibly succulent cut of pork – especially when it’s smoked in the proper way, as this recipe will show you!
Key Elements Of This Recipe
- BBQ Sauce: Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce or Lillie’s Q Gold Barbeque Sauce is best
- Dry Rub: Homemade Dry Rub For Ribs or Salt Lick Dry Rub is perfect here
- Baby Back Ribs: Grab the meatiest and largest rack you can find
The Ingredients for Tender Smoked Baby Back Ribs
- Homemade Dry Rub For Ribs (or Salt Lick Dry Rub)
- 2 racks of Baby Back Ribs
- Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce (or Lillie’s Q Gold Barbeque Sauce)
- 8 pads of Unsalted Butter (about 4 tablespoons)
- Basting Syrup
- 1/3 cup Honey
- 1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 3 tablespoons Brown Sugar
The Equipment Needed
- Traeger Ironwood Wood Pellet Grill (or any other quality smoker)
The Perfect Sauce For Smoked Baby Back Ribs
There are many great barbecue sauces you can use for smoked baby back ribs. My homemade Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce is phenomenal!
But if you don’t have the time to make your own sauce from scratch, then this Lillie’s Q Gold Barbeque Sauce is quite possibly one of the best store-bought sauces for your baby back ribs.
It’s tangy, sticky and has that rich mustard taste – it’s the perfect match for moist and tender pork ribs or any other smoked meats!
How To Smoke Baby Back Ribs
Smoking baby back ribs come in 3 easy steps.
First, you prep the meat by removing any silver skin and binding it generously in the dry rub.
Then you smoke directly on your smoker grill for about 3 hours, basting every half hour.
And lastly you braise your baby back ribs by wrapping it in foil with butter and sauce until it becomes tender, soft and delicious.
Pro Tip: If you don’t have a smoker, you can follow these same steps with your oven and it’ll turn out great, but you just won’t have that smokey flavor.
How To Prepare Baby Back Ribs
Start by properly rinsing and patting dry your rack of ribs.
Then, flip the ribs upside down and check to see if the membrane / silver skin is still intact on the rack. If so, using a sharp paring knife, cut a slit on one end of the silver skin on the rack and then using a paper towel for grip, pull on the membrane until it all peels off. (It may take more than one motion).
Next, make your basting syrup by simmering honey, apple cider vinegar and brown sugar in a small sauce pan.
Afterwards, flip the ribs back over and apply a generous amount of the basting syrup all over the rack (this will serve as our binder for now).
Next, it’s time to apply the dry rub.
In my opinion, my homemade ribs rub is the best dressing you can give your rack of ribs – but if you don’t have the time to make this special rub mix, then the next best option is to pick up a canister of Salt Lick Dry Rub.
Salt Lick is a world famous bbq joint down in Driftwood, Texas – and their amazing dry rub is available to be shipped almost anywhere in the US. Check out the Salt Lick Dry Rub, if you can’t make your own.
Whatever dry rub you choose, simply shake (or sprinkle) the rub on top of your ribs from a height of at least 6 inches, so that the rub disperses evenly as possible, as it drops onto the meat.
Let it sit & dry brine for about 10 minutes to absorb the flavors in the rub.
How Long To Smoke Baby Back Ribs
Set your smoker to 200°F. (If you’re using a Traeger, you may want to turn on the super-smoke mode.)
Once your smoker has reached its temperature, place the ribs directly on the grate of the smoker and let it smoke for about 3 hours – applying the basting syrup to the ribs every 30 minutes.
Braise Your Baby Back Ribs
Once 3 hours of the initial smoking period have elapsed, it’s time to braise your ribs for that extra tender texture.
Prepare a foil wrap by cutting off a large sheet of aluminum foil.
Pull your ribs off of the smoker, give them a liberal basting with your barbecue sauce, top with your pads of butter & wrap them tightly in the aluminum foil.
Return the foiled ribs back to the smoker and raise the temperature of your grill to 450°F. Smoke until the internal temperature of the ribs hit 205°F.
Putting It All Together
Once your ribs hit the right internal temperature, remove from the smoker, unwrap the foil, and baste once more liberally with your barbecue sauce.
Slice along the segments of the ribs and garnish with a little bit of fresh cracked pepper (optional) and serve with a cup of your barbecue sauce.
What To Serve With Baby Back Ribs
These are some excellent sides that go perfectly with your tender smoked baby back ribs. (Click on them to go to their recipes.)
- Elotes (Grilled Mexican Street Corn)
- Grilled Pineapple
- Grilled Corn On The Cob
- Texas Twinkies
- Homemade Salsa
- Smoked Brisket Burnt Ends
If you liked this recipe, you’ll love these too:
Equipment
- Traeger Ironwood Wood Pellet Grill, (or any other quality smoker)
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup Homemade Dry Rub For Ribs, (or Salt Lick Dry Rub)
- 2 racks Baby Back Ribs
- 1 bottle Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce, (or Lillie's Q Gold Barbeque Sauce)
- 8 pads Unsalted Butter, (about 4 tablespoons)
Basting Syrup
- 1/3 cup Honey
- 1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 3 tablespoons Brown Sugar
Instructions
How To Smoke Baby Back Ribs
- Smoking baby back ribs come in 3 easy steps.
- First, you prep the meat by removing any silver skin and binding it generously in the dry rub.
- Then you smoke directly on your smoker grill for about 3 hours, basting every half hour.
- And lastly you braise your baby back ribs by wrapping it in foil with butter and sauce until it becomes tender, soft and delicious.
How To Prepare Baby Back Ribs
- Start by properly rinsing and patting dry your rack of ribs.
- Then, flip the ribs upside down and check to see if the membrane / silver skin is still intact on the rack. If so, using a sharp paring knife, cut a slit on one end of the silver skin on the rack and then using a paper towel for grip, pull on the membrane until it all peels off. (It may take more than one motion).
- Next, make your basting syrup by simmering honey, apple cider vinegar and brown sugar in a small sauce pan.
- Afterwards, flip the ribs back over and apply a generous amount of the basting syrup all over the rack (this will serve as our binder for now).
- Next, it's time to apply the dry rub.
- In my opinion, my homemade ribs rub is the best dressing you can give your rack of ribs – but if you don't have the time to make this special rub mix, then the next best option is to pick up a canister of Salt Lick Dry Rub.
- Salt Lick is a world famous bbq joint down in Driftwood, Texas – and their amazing dry rub is available to be shipped almost anywhere in the US. Check out the Salt Lick Dry Rub, if you can't make your own.
- Whatever dry rub you choose, simply shake (or sprinkle) the rub on top of your ribs from a height of at least 6 inches, so that the rub disperses evenly as possible, as it drops onto the meat.
- Let it sit & dry brine for about 10 minutes to absorb the flavors in the rub.
How Long To Smoke Baby Back Ribs
- Set your smoker to 200°F. (If you're using a Traeger, you may want to turn on the super-smoke mode.)
- Once your smoker has reached its temperature, place the ribs directly on the grate of the smoker and let it smoke for about 3 hours – applying the basting syrup to the ribs every 30 minutes.
Braise Your Baby Back Ribs
- Once 3 hours of the initial smoking period have elapsed, it's time to braise your ribs for that extra tender texture.
- Prepare a foil wrap by cutting off a large sheet of aluminum foil.
- Pull your ribs off of the smoker, give them a liberal basting with your barbecue sauce, top with your pads of butter & wrap them tightly in the aluminum foil.
- Return the foiled ribs back to the smoker and raise the temperature of your grill to 450°F. Smoke until the internal temperature of the ribs hit 205°F.
Putting It All Together
- Once your ribs hit the right internal temperature, remove from the smoker, unwrap the foil, and baste once more liberally with your barbecue sauce.
- Slice along the segments of the ribs and garnish with a little bit of fresh cracked pepper (optional) and serve with a cup of your barbecue sauce.
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is just an estimate derived by an online calculation tool.
FAQ
How long does it take to smoke baby back ribs?
You want to smoke baby back ribs directly on your smoker grill (200°F) for about 3 hours, basting every half hour with sauce or a basting liquid. Then, you’ll want to braise you baby back ribs by wrapping it in foil with butter and returning it to the smoker, until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 205°F.
What is the best barbecue sauce for baby back ribs?
There are many great barbecue sauces you can use for smoked baby back ribs. My homemade Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce is phenomenal! But if you don’t have the time to make your own sauce from scratch, then this Lillie’s Q Gold Barbeque Sauce is quite possibly one of the best store-bought sauces for your baby back ribs.
When are baby back ribs done smoking?
Baby back ribs are done smoking when the internal temperature of the meat reaches 205°F.
Bubba
Oh my goodness… I’ve never seen such delicious looking ribs before. This recipe rocks! I can’t wait to make these smoked baby back ribs in my backyard this weekend!
Beth
Now, this is what I call ribs! I love how tender and juicy they are, and the sauce is fantastic!
Nathan
This is such an incredible rib recipe, it turned out PERFECTLY tender and the flavor is fantastic! I will definitely be making this recipe again ASAP!
Paula
My daughter always requests ribs for her birthday and these were her favorite recipe so far. SO tender and the flavor was epic!
Neha
This is the baby back ribs recipe I’ve ever tried! It is simply incredible and looks so so good too!
Tayler
These were the best ribs I’ve ever had! Fall off the bone perfection!
Jacqueline Debono
This is the best smoked ribs recipes I have tried. I’m still dreaming about these smoked baby back ribs 5 days later (made them on Sunday)!
Liz
These ribs were super tender and delicious! We loved them!
Claudia
These Tender Smoked Baby Back Ribs are a BBQ dream come true! Juicy, flavorful, and perfectly smoked, they’re sure to impress at your next cookout. Don’t miss out on these!
Sabine
Wow, how delicious, tender and juicy did those ribs came out. This is one of the best ones I have had. Great recipe!
Sonja
Oh my, these ribs were just finger-licking good! So tender and the flavor was incredible. They will certainly go on my summer smoking rotation.
Liz
These were the most tender ribs I’ve ever made!! My whole family loved them. I’m sure I’ll be making them again later this summer!!!
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome
These ribs are really flavorful. They are tender but still have a perfect bite factor!!
Alexandra
These are the best ribs I have ever eaten (and made!) A great, simple recipe that is packed full of flavour. So tasty.
Ieva
Fantastic recipe! Delicious ribs and the instructions were easy to follow and worked as described! Thank you 🙂
Harriet Young
Absolutely amazing! Fall apart, tender meat, incredible taste – can’t wait to make again
Anjali
Omg these ribs look so good!! Love all of the spices in the dry rub too – can’t wait to make this for dinner this week!
Heather
Wow, these ribs are favor-packed and fall-apart tender! So easy to prep and definite must-make summer recipe! Thank you!
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome
These ribs are so flavorful! They are wonderfully tender without being too soft. We can’t wait to make them again!
Melinda
This recipe alone makes me happy that we have a Traeger pellet grill! I’ve tried a few different rib recipes over the years, but this one is exceptional. I think it’s the homemade basting syrup that helped those baby backs get tender and full of flavor!
Amy Liu Dong
Wow! This is my kind of baby back ribs dish! Looks so perfect and very yummy! The awesome texture and juiciness of the meat is just so great! Loved it!
Leslie
Perfectly tender and delicious!
Charah
Delicious recipe, thanks for sharing
Gianne
The meat was incredibly juicy and fell right off the bone, while the smoky flavor added a delightful depth to every bite. This recipe is definitely a game-changer for any barbecue enthusiast!
Lauren
The smoked ribs turned out fantastic – some of the best we’ve had yet! I was also happ to find the gold barbecue sauce and it complemented them perfectly!
Angela
OMG, these look divine! The combo of ingredients on these ribs is perfection! I’ll take a whole rack please!
Justine
These were literally falling off the bone, they came out SO tender. Tons of flavor, too!
Shelley
This was so helpful and informative, so I can really get that fall-off the bone texture and restaurant-quality flavor my family craves. And, especially – thanks for the great recommendations on the Lillie’s Q Gold Barbeque Sauce and Salt Lick Dry Rub!
Ben
These are fully awesome! We had a BBQ this weekend, and I made these. We absolutely destroyed them. LOL
Vicky
I gave these smoked baby back ribs a try, and they were fall-off-the-bone amazing! The flavor was out of this world—big hit at our BBQ!
Oscar
These smoked baby back ribs are a true indulgence! The tender, juicy meat practically melts in your mouth, with a rich and meaty flavor that’s absolutely irresistible.
Chenee
I loved these ribs! They came out perfectly tender and soooo flavorful.
Amy
These were to die for! Super juicy and so much flavour! Might add a bit of chilli pepper next time too.
Juyali
These were so good in ribs sandwiches. Turned out so tender and flavorful! Delish.
Alexandra
This is the only recipe you need for ribs! I’ve made this twice now and it will be my go to from now on. Easy and delicious and a family favourite now!
kushi
So tender and juicy. Looks so delicious. Thanks for sharing.
Dina and Bruce
These turned out so tender! And the rub was so flavorful!!!
Kimmidi
Made with Dr. Pepper bbq sauce. Smoked with hickory and cherry wood. By far the best ribs we ever made.