Smoked St. Louis-Style Ribs Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 rack of St. Louis-style pork ribs
• 2 tablespoon yellow or Dijon mustard (binder)
• 1/2 cup favorite BBQ sauce
• 1/4 cup apple juice
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons butter (cut into small pieces)
• 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

1. 1

   --- Prep the Ribs ---

2. 2

   Remove the membrane and any sinew, small chunks of fat, and the flap of meat on the backside of the spare ribs.

3. 3

   Pat the ribs dry with a paper towel and rub a thin layer of yellow mustard over both sides.

4. 4

   In a small bowl, mix all the dry rub ingredients. Apply generously to both sides of the ribs

5. 5

   --- Smoke the Ribs ---

6. 6

   Preheat your Traeger grill (or any pellet grill or electric smoker) to 225°F.

7. 7

   Place ribs meat side up on the smoker grates.

8. 8

   Smoke for 3 hours uncovered, letting the rub form a bark.

9. 9

   --- Wrap and Tenderize ---

10. 10

    Lay out a double layer of aluminum foil or butcher paper and place the ribs meat side down.

11. 11

    Pour apple juice and apple cider vinegar over the ribs.

12. 12

    Add butter pieces, then wrap the foil tightly to create a sealed packet.

13. 13

    Place the wrapped ribs back in the smoker and cook for 2 more hours.

14. 14

    --- Sauce and Caramelization ---

15. 15

    Carefully unwrap the juicy ribs and place them back on the smoker for the last hour.

16. 16

    Brush with your favorite BBQ sauce.

17. 17

    Smoke for an additional hour, allowing the sauce to caramelize.

18. 18

    --- Rest, Slice, and Serve ---

19. 19

    Remove ribs from the smoker and let them rest on a cutting board for 10 minutes.

20. 20

    Use a good sharp knife to slice into the rib meat between the bones.

21. 21

    Serve with extra BBQ sauce and a side of potato salad.