How To Smoke Baby Back Ribs

Learn how to smoke baby back ribs with this foolproof low-and-slow method using a flavorful rub, butter wrap, and saucy finish. Perfect for backyard BBQs and weekend smoking sessions!

Course Grilling, Main Course, smoking

Cuisine American, BBQ

Keyword How To Smoke Baby Back Ribs

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 5

Servings Servings

Calories 562kcal

Author Bon Appeteach

Ingredients

Baby Back Ribs

1 rack Baby Back Ribs
3 tbsp Yellow Mustard
1/4 cup BBQ Rub
1/2 cup Apple Juice or apple cider vinegar + 1/2 cup water diluted for spritzing
1/2 cup BBQ Sauce

Wrap

4 tbsp Butter sliced into pads
3 tbsp Honey
1/4 cup BBQ Sauce

Instructions

Prep the Ribs: Remove the silver membrane from the back of the ribs using a paper towel for grip. Pat the ribs dry and coat both sides with yellow mustard. Generously apply your BBQ dry rub, pressing it into the meat. Let the ribs sit at room temperature while you preheat your smoker.
Start Smoking (2.5–3 Hours): Preheat your smoker to 225–250°F using fruitwood like apple or cherry. Place ribs directly on the grates, bone-side down. Smoke uncovered for 2.5 to 3 hours, spritzing with diluted apple juice every 45–60 minutes to keep the ribs moist and help build bark.
Foil Wrap (1.5-2 Hours): Remove ribs from the smoker and place each rack on two slightly overlapping sheets of heavy-duty foil. Add pats of butter, a drizzle of honey, and BBQ sauce directly onto the ribs. Wrap tightly in foil and return to the smoker for 2 more hours, bone side up.
Finish Uncovered (30–60 Minutes): Carefully unwrap the ribs and discard the foil. Place them back on the smoker and brush with a fresh layer of BBQ sauce. Smoke for another 30–60 minutes uncovered to set the glaze and develop a sticky, flavorful bark.
Rest & Serve: Remove the ribs and let them rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing between the bones. Serve with extra BBQ sauce if desired.

Nutrition