How Long to Smoke Ribs?

It’s time for you to learn how long to smoke ribs and also how to smoke ribs like a pro, and you will be the star of any backyard BBQ. And you will be using the popular 3-2-1 method for smoking ribs, which happens to be amazingly easy.

You should try these smoked baby-back pork ribs, particularly if you are looking for a mouth-watering pork rib recipe.

As you might be aware, American-style pork ribs might take some time to cook, but the fact remains that they are well worth the wait.

The result always comes out to be tender, juicy meat that is best suited for any occasion.

What Is The 321 Method For Ribs?

When it comes to a backyard enthusiast, as previously mentioned, smoking ribs using the 321 method is one of the most popular ways for them to cook ribs.

The result is doubtlessly a truly delicious, fall-off-the-bone rib. Even though several “BBQ purists” will balk at the 321 method, there’s no denying that this meat is juicy, succulent, and delectable.

You should certainly give the 321 rib method a try, especially if you or your guests like meat that comes off the bone with every bite.

Well, what exactly is the 321 method for ribs? It is just an easy way to cook pork ribs and to wrap it up, the 321 methods for ribs is just what the name suggests.

3 Hours in the Smoker

You are to start by placing your ribs directly on the grill grates of the smoker for 3 hours, which will help infuse the meat with that good, smoky flavor.

2 Hours Wrapped

After that, you are to wrap those smoky ribs in foil, which is normally filled with brown sugar, butter, apple cider, and other goodies. Do this for 2 hours to add more flavor and keep that rib meat juicy.

1 Hour with Sauce

Now, in the final step, you are to remove the meat from the wrapping and smother it in BBQ sauce. Proceed to finish them on the grill for 1 hour. This is to set the sauce and make sure that the meat falls right off the bone.

How Long To Smoke Pork Ribs?

If you are interested in smoking ribs, just go ahead and follow the recipe below. I suggest that you smoke pork ribs for around 6 hours, as this will help ensure juicy, delectable meat.

However, in this guide, we will be using the popular way to cook them, which is the 3-2-1 method of smoking pork ribs, which, as said, means 3 hours of unwrapping on the smoker, 2 hours of being wrapped tightly in butcher’s paper on the smoker, and then the final 1 hour of being unwrapped on the smoker.

321 Ribs

321 ribs are considered to be a flawless way to get fall-off-the-bone succulent ribs.

The 321 rib method depends on smoking the ribs at a certain temperature for 3 hours, wrapping them with liquid for 2 hours, and saucing them for the final 1 hour.

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, BBQ
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Resting Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 6 hours and 30 minutes
Servings: 2 people

Ingredients

• 1 rack of baby back ribs
• 1 cup of apple cider (you can also use apple juice)
• ¼ cup of dark brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons of sweet rub
• ½ cup of Everything BBQ sauce
• 2 tablespoons of salted butter

Laid-Out Instructions

• First, you are to prepare your smoker, and you can do that by preheating it to 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
• After that, you can use a sharp knife to lift the corner of the membrane on the back of the ribs. Get a paper towel and use it to grip the membrane and pull firmly to completely remove the membrane, then proceed to trim any excess fat off the ribs as required.
• That being done, generously season both sides of the ribs using a sweet rub. I recommend you start with the bone side.
• When that is done, place the seasoned ribs on the smoker and close the lid, then leave them to smoke for 3 hours. At the end of these 3 hours, the ribs should be somewhere around an internal temp of 165 degrees F.
• Afterward, proceed to tear off a large piece of aluminum foil and place it on a large working surface, then transfer the ribs to the foil, bone side up. That way, the bones do not tear through the foil. Also, spray the ribs with the brown sugar, top them with the butter cut into small pads, and then pour in the apple cider. You should tightly crimp the foil together to create an airtight seal.
• Now, return the wrapped ribs to the grill and increase the temperature in the smoker to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure you allow the ribs to braise for 2 hours in the foil.
• Make sure that you carefully remove the ribs from the grill and place them on a large working surface. Open the foil package (I strongly suggest that you are careful of the hot steam), use tongs to remove the ribs, and place them back on the grill with the bone side down. Get rid of the foil and excess cooking liquid. After that, brush the ribs with Everything BBQ sauce, or you can just go for your favorite BBQ sauce.
• It’s time to return the unwrapped, sauced ribs to the smoker, then close the lid and continue smoking for an hour or less, or just until the ribs reach about 200 degrees Fahrenheit and the sauce is sticky and set.
• After that, remove the ribs from the smoker and rest for 10 to 15 minutes, then slice into individual ribs and serve with extra sauce based on your preference.

How Long Do You Cook Pork Ribs For?

I will say that a safe cooking temperature for pork is 65 degrees Celsius; however, you must cook pork ribs for longer as this allows the meat to melt, which will in turn become succulent and juicy.

I suggest that you take the internal temp up to 90 to 95 degrees C if you want delectable-tasting ribs.

When cooking pork ribs, you must use a meat thermometer for accuracy.

And, in general, it takes between 5 and 7 hours to cook thick spare ribs before they are ready.

That being said, some useful tricks will help you work out when the meat is ready, and they include:

Twist a Bone

All you need to do is pick one in the middle of the rack and carefully try to wiggle it. You will know that your ribs will be ready if they slide out or move easily.

Use a Wooden Skewer or a Toothpick

You are to press it between two bones into the meat, and then your ribs should be tender and juicy inside if you get little resistance.

Bend Your Ribs

For this, carefully pull two parallel bones in opposite directions; then you will know it is a sign that the ribs are ready if your meat starts to easily break apart.

Conclusion

Well, it is also important to know how to choose the best ribs. There are a few things to look for at the grocery store when choosing ribs.

Ensure that the color of the ribs is a bright pinkish red; stay away from ribs with gray spots or other discolored meat.

Make sure that the bones are straight, as this will make slicing much easier once cooked.

I always go for a rib that comes with the most meat on it and looks thick, particularly for competition, but who does not love a thick, juicy BBQ rib?

This will now bring us to the end of this guide, as you now have the detailed answer to the above question, “How long to smoke ribs?”