Dirt's Best Bbq Ribs

Get ready to savor the ultimate backyard barbecue experience with "Dirt's Best BBQ Ribs," a foolproof recipe for tender, smoky, and flavor-packed pork baby back ribs. These fall-off-the-bone delights start with a bold homemade dry rub featuring brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, and a hint of optional cayenne for a spicy kick. Slow-cooked to perfection at 225°F—whether smoked over hickory or mesquite wood chips or baked in the oven—these ribs are then wrapped with a splash of apple juice to ensure juicy, melt-in-your-mouth results. A final glaze of your favorite BBQ sauce caramelizes in the last stage of cooking, delivering that irresistible sticky-sweet finish. Perfect for summer cookouts or game-day feasts, these ribs are a guaranteed hit with any crowd.

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:300 mins

Total Time:330 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 racks pork baby back ribs
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 teaspoon mustard powder
• 2 cups hickory or mesquite wood chips (if smoking)
• 1 cup your favorite BBQ sauce
• 0.5 cup apple juice

Directions

Step 1

Remove the membrane from the back of the rib racks by sliding a knife under the thin silver skin and pulling it off with a paper towel for grip.

Step 2

Make a dry rub by mixing together the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, kosher salt, mustard powder, and cayenne pepper if using.

Step 3

Generously coat both sides of the ribs with the dry rub, massaging it into the meat. Let the ribs sit for 20-30 minutes to absorb the flavors.

Step 4

If smoking, preheat your smoker to 225°F and soak the wood chips in water for 30 minutes. If using a grill or oven, preheat to 225°F and prepare for indirect heat cooking.

Step 5

Place the ribs on the smoker, grill, or a baking sheet (if using an oven). Add wood chips to the smoker or a grill's smoker box for a smoky flavor.

Step 6

Smoke or cook the ribs at 225°F for 3 hours uncovered. If using a grill or oven, use the indirect heat method to avoid burning.

Step 7

After 3 hours, remove the ribs and tightly wrap them in aluminum foil. Before sealing, pour 2-3 tablespoons of apple juice over the ribs to help them steam. Return the wrapped ribs to the smoker, grill, or oven and cook for another 2 hours.

Step 8

Carefully remove the ribs from the foil and place them back on the smoker, grill, or baking sheet. Increase the temperature to 275°F. Brush the ribs generously with BBQ sauce on both sides and cook uncovered for 30 minutes to caramelize the sauce.

Step 9

Remove the ribs from the heat and let them rest for 10 minutes before slicing between the bones. Serve with extra BBQ sauce on the side, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2305.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4755.1

Total Fat 337.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 123.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 1316mg	0%
Sodium 4284.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 167.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 3.8g	0%
Total Sugars 143.4g
Protein 296.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 384.0mg	0%
Iron 17.9mg	0%
Potassium 4060.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 62.1%

Protein: 24.2%

Carbs: 13.7%