Easy Pellet Smoker Ribs – Baby Back or Pork Ribs!
What better way to christen a new pellet smoker than by making ribs. I found a super easy way to get the ribs juicy, smoky, tender, and with a delicious bark thanks to my own BBQ rib rub recipe. This pellet smoker ribs recipe works with any kind of ribs you have. I used pork ribs but this will work for baby back ribs or St. Louis style ribs as well.
Should ribs fall off the bone when cooked?
No! Ribs that cook so long that they fall off the bone are overcooked and generally mushy. Ribs should still have some bite to them but not be tough.
What is the easiest method to cook ribs?
Ribs cooked in a pellet smoker, such as a Traeger, are the easiest method, in my opinion. The pellet smoker I use is a Pit Boss Classic and it does the job just fine. I love how there is no messing with water pans or wood chips like with a traditional smoker. You just fill up the hopper with your choice of pellets (depending on what flavor you want), set the temperature, and start smoking.
I have seen a lot of complicated methods for smoking ribs but none of that stuff is necessary for everyday cooking. Simply pre-heat your pellet smoker to 225F, rub your ribs with seasoning or your favorite dry rub, place the rack in the smoker and let them cook until they pass the bend test. No need to wrap the ribs in foil, have a fancy liquid marinade in a spray bottle, coat with yellow mustard, or use apple juice or apple cider vinegar. Of course, I will go into more detail on what you do need to do below.
How to make the best pellet smoker ribs
The first step is picking your favorite rack of ribs. Like I said before, you can use this method with any kind of ribs. I like pork spare ribs because they are cheaper than baby backs and spare ribs have more meat. 1 rack of baby backs will feed 1 adult while spare ribs will feed 2 adults.
Next you need to get some pellet smoker pellets. There are different flavors depending on what smoke flavor you want…such as hickory, competition blend, apple, pecan, cherry or mesquite. I use hickory for most of my smoking needs.
Prepping the ribs
While you are prepping the ribs, start preheating your pellet smoker at 225F. It is important to follow the instructions and start-up procedure of your brand of pellet smoker. I like to also line the bottom of my smoker with a layer of aluminum foil, but only do this if your pellet smoker instructions permit it.
Important – remove the membrane
Ribs usually come with a thin layer of tough skin on the bone side of the rack. This is called the silver skin, or membrane, and it needs to be removed so the seasonings can penetrate the meat. Here is a good video showing exactly how to accomplish this. A paper towel comes in handy for getting a grip on the membrane because it is slippery.
Season the ribs
Now that the silver skin is removed from the ribs we can season them. I lay mine out on a rimmed baking sheet and add about 2-3 tablespoons of rib rub per side. You don’t want to completely coat them…leave some meat peaking through.
I think a dry rub with some brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, onion powder, and kosher salt is perfect and gives a nice sweet, smoky, and salty flavor to the ribs. Click here for my recipe. You can also add some black pepper if you want.
Once the smoker is pre-heated, you can put the rack (or 2 racks) directly on the grates and let them smoke. Leave them alone for at least 4 hours. The less you open the grill, the shorter your cook time will be. You do want to keep an eye on the smoker temperature and make sure it stays where you set it.
How long does it take to smoke ribs at 225F on a pellet smoker?
The answer depends on the size of your rack of ribs but generally a rack of baby back ribs will take 4 to 5 hours and spare ribs will take 6 to 7 hrs.
This method truly is the best way to make smoked baby back ribs and one of my favorite smoker recipes.
How do you know when the ribs are done?
I like to use the bend test. This test ensures you will have perfectly cooked and juicy ribs every time. Thermometers are not really reliable with ribs because the meat is so close to the bone. For the bend test, pick up the ribs with tongs and if the bark breaks and the ribs almost split in half, they are done.
Adding your favorite BBQ sauce (optional)
When the ribs are ready to come off of the smoker (they passed the bend test), you can brush both sides of the ribs with a thin layer of your favorite barbecue sauce. Leave them on the smoker at 225F for 30 more minutes so the sauce can caramelize.
Place the ribs on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut the ribs between each bone.
Traditional sides such as beans or corn are great, but I love to serve these with Spaghetti squash and brown butter sage sauce, bacon wrapped asparagus, keto coleslaw, or cauliflower Mac and cheese!
Easy Pellet Smoker Ribs – Baby Back or Pork Ribs!
Equipment
- Pellet Grill
Instructions
- While you are prepping the ribs, start preheating your pellet smoker at 225F. It is important to follow the instructions and start-up procedure of your brand of pellet smoker. You may want to line the bottom of your pellet smoker with foil.
- Ribs usually come with a thin layer of tough skin on the underside of the rack. This is called the silver skin and it needs to be removed so the seasonings can penetrate the meat. See the video in the post above for insutructions on how to best remove.
- Combine the dry rub recipe in a small bowl. Lay the ribs on a sheet tray and add about 2-3 tablespoons of rib rub per side. You don't want to completely coat them…leave some meat peaking through.
- Once the smoker is pre-heated, you can put the rack (or 2 racks) directly on the grates and let them smoke. Leave them alone for at least 4 hours. The less you open the grill, the shorter your cook time will be. You do want to keep an eye on the smoker temperature and make sure it stays where you set it.
- A rack of baby back ribs will take 4 to 5 hours to cook and spare ribs will take 6 to 7 hours.
- Towards the end of the cook time, pick up the ribs with tongs and if the bark breaks and the ribs almost split in half, they are done. If not, keep on smoking.
- Add BBQ sauce (optional): When the ribs are ready to come off of the smoker (they passed the bend test), you can coat them with a thin layer of your favorite BBQ sauce. Leave them on the smoker at 225F for 30 more minutes so the sauce can caramelize.
Turned out tender and so tasty and is now my go to recipe. I do tend to switch up the rub a lot.
This has become our go-to rib cook. We like the consistent results and so far they’ve been great every time we cook them (probably a 1/2 dozen times or more). I like the fact that it is a prep, cook, add sauce, pull them off to rest a few minutes, and eat. It doesn’t require any attention whatsoever during the cook time until you get to the sauce step near the end. Thanks for a great recipe!
Perfect! This is the only I will cook my baby backs from now on! I’ve been searching for the perfect way to do them! They are amazing! Thank you!
Thanks for this it turned out so good! First time smoking ribs and don’t think I’ll do it any other way!
These ribs came out amazing. Best recipe I have ever used. They fell off the bone just like I wanted. They were so juicy and delicious.
This is a super easy way to make baby back ribs on a pellet smoker. For my Country Smoker Portable Pellet Grill, I think I should have shortened the time by about 30 minutes. That is not the recipe’s fault. It is just that the small portable smoker temperature fluctuates quite a bit. The ribs came out really good and people liked them. I might do spare ribs next time instead of baby-backs. I just used a Stubbs Rub from the store. I was feeling a bit lazy today.
Can you substitute minced onion for onion powder? And substitute regular mustard for ground mustard?
Yes that will work…the regular mustard will create a more wet rub but it will be just as delicious. Use 1 tablespoon prepared mustard and 1 tablespoon dried onion (rehydrated in water)
I haven’t tried your recipe yet but I disagree with the comment that good ribs shouldn’t fall off the bone. If they’re done right they can and still not be mushy like you think. I’ve done it countless time and the texture is perfect.
Your recipe was perfect! There’s so many other complicated recipes out there. After following your recipe my husband and I both agreed that we couldn’t imagine how the ribs could have turned out better. Simple definitely won! Tender, juicy, delicious! Thank you!
Thanks for the tip and video on remove the back skin area of the ribs. I love smoking meat, and am doing this for a party this weekend. Thanks again!
I just got a pellet smoker and this recipe sounds just right to christen my new smoker.
I was looking for a good recipe for a and at first glance, you impressed me, and like I was in love with you as it came down
I will definitely settle this with my Pit Boss
thanks, Jenni for this great recipe
Pity your link does not go to Pit Boss – don’t know why it has Blackstone gas line install info instead
Thanks so much for this! When I saw the title No Fail I laughed, because if anyone could mess it up I totally could lol. First time cooking ribs on the pellet grill and it went great! My husband complimented them several times. Thanks again!
what kind of rub do you use
I have to say I am not a huge fan of fall off the bone ribs. I like mine with a bit of bite and nice and juicy! Your ribs look mouth wateringly delicious!?
Nice work with the pellet smoker!
experiencing with rubs and bbq sauce. Your remends applications
That first photo is so tempting! Thanks for this recipe, I agree with the not falling off the bone but had never heard about the bend test! Genius! Can’t wait to try this.
These ribs look fantastic. My husband would love this. I will soon try your recipe. Thanks for sharing this delicious dish
Honestly, it’s been such a long time since I’ve had ribs and my mouth is watering looking at these! Great tips…definitely need to make these soon!
I’ve been craving ribs for the longest and came upon this recipe. The ribs were truly no fail and so tender.
Came out perfect and followed your tips to a T. Wouldn’t change a thing, except make more next time. We devoured every rib!
SO easy and delcious. Loved all your tips… and they helped me make this perfectly the first time around… great recipe!
These ribs turned out beautifully on my Traeger! They were perfectly cooked and seasoned well with the rib rub. My husband and I ate the whole rack!
Great post! These ribs look absolutely stunning. Pinning for later because I’d like my husband to give them a try on our smoker. We only use charcoal so it’s a bit more tricky to keep the temp steady.