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Pork ribs have never been easier than my 3-2-1 Smoked Ribs! With a cooking method so self-explanatory it's in the name itself, this recipe for smoked pork ribs is the perfect way to make fall-off-the-bone tender and totally delicious ribs, even if you're a total beginner!
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Smoked Ribs 321
When I tried my first plate of smoked pork ribs at one of my favorite BBQ joints in Florida, I could not believe how delicious they were. At the time, I didn't have a smoker, and I convinced myself it would be impossible to recreate that same flavor at home even if I did.
I was so wrong. The 3-2-1 method of smoking pork ribs is so easy! Not only is it simple even for beginners, but the meat is so tender it falls right off the bone and melts in your mouth.
If you've ever wondered how long to smoke ribs, this recipe tells you before even reading the instructions: 3 hours on the smoker unwrapped, 2 hours wrapped in foil, and 1 hour brushed in BBQ sauce. 3-2-1, ribs!
I'll show you how to smoke ribs using the 3-2-1 smoking method, and also give you my recipe for the most amazing BBQ sauce. Carolina BBQ sauce is tangy, spicy, and totally unique. It's like no other BBQ you have ever had before, and I guarantee you will crave it!
321 Smoked Ribs Ingredients
- Baby back ribs
- Carolina Barbecue Sauce, recipe included or your favorite BBQ Sauce
- Apple cider vinegar
- Coarse salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
Carolina BBQ Sauce Ingredients
- Apple cider vinegar
- Brown sugar
- Ketchup
- Hot sauce
- Crushed red pepper
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
Smoke Ribs Recipe
- Start by preheating the smoker to 225°F, and fill a small spray bottle with apple cider vinegar. Peel the silver skin, thin membrane, off the ribs by gripping them by the corner and pulling them off, then season the rack of ribs with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Place the ribs in the pellet grill or smoker, and let them smoke for 3 hours. Spritz them once every hour or enough to keep the rib meat side moist.
- After the 3 hours are up, remove the ribs from the smoker and wrap them in foil. Then return them to the smoker to cook another 2 hours without spritzing.
- While the ribs cook, prepare the BBQ sauce. Add the brown sugar and apple cider vinegar to a small pot over medium heat, then bring it to a boil until the sugar is fully dissolved.
- Add the rest of the sauce ingredients to the pot and stir until well incorporated. Simmer for five minutes, then remove from the heat until the ribs are cooked.
- After the ribs have cooked for the additional 2 hours, remove the foil and brush all sides of the ribs in the homemade BBQ sauce. Continue slow-cooking for one more hour, uncovered.
- Remove the ribs from the smoker, then coat the ribs meat side one last time with BBQ and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice, and serve!
Smoked Ribs Recipe Tips
- Hickory pellets add a delicious flavor to the ribs, but any fruit pellets will taste great.
- If you want to save on pellets, you can take the ribs out of the smoker for the two-hour portion and cook them in the oven at 225°F instead (make sure to preheat).
- When wrapping the ribs, make sure to wrap them tightly! If they're not tightly wrapped, they can dry out and lose flavor.
- Don't worry if the BBQ sauce looks thin! Carolina BBQ sauce is a vinegar-based sauce and will be thin and tangy rather than sticky and sweet. For a sweeter BBQ sauce, try my Sweet BBQ Sauce Recipe.
321 Ribs Temp
At a smoking temperature of 225℉ for the 321 method, your ribs should reach an internal temperature of about 205℉ as read by a meat thermometer. This will make them fall apart tender, juicy, and so delicious!
The 321 smoking method is reliable, so as long as you follow the instructions exactly for the proper cooking temp and time, you'll get these results every time. You can always refer to my pork temperature chart.
How Long to Smoke Ribs at 225?
Everyone has their preference for how ribs should be cooked; some prefer them less fall-off-the-bone, and with a little more chew. But, for a 3-2-1 smoked pork ribs recipe such as this one, you will smoke the ribs for a total of 6 hours (3 hours unwrapped, 2 hours wrapped, and 1 hour brushed with BBQ sauce).
If you like your ribs with a little more chew, lower the wrapped cook time to 1 hour, and the second smoke time to 20 minutes.
321 Smoked Ribs FAQ
The 3-2-1 method is a way of cooking ribs by smoking them for 3 hours, cooking them wrapped for 2 hours, and smoking them for 1 more hour. This easy-to-remember method makes perfect, fall-off-the-bone tender ribs every time!
The smoker should be set to 225 to ensure perfectly juicy and tender ribs. Upping the temperature might cook them more quickly, but can lead to tough meat that isn't as moist, so I don't recommend it at all.
You may find that many BBQ sites will claim that the 3-2-1 method will overcook the ribs. In reality, the 3-2-1 method will cook pork ribs to a fall-off-the-bone state. If you like your ribs ultra-tender and falling off the bone, the 3-2-1 method is perfect! If you'd like more chew to the meat, you can still use this recipe. Simply lower the 2 hour cooking time to 1 hour, and the last 1 hour to 20 minutes.
Easy Ribs Recipes
- Slow Cooker Short Ribs
- Grilled Baby Back Ribs
- Smoked Short Ribs
- Air Fryer Pork Ribs
- Or one of my all-time favorites, Korean Braised Short Ribs!
If you enjoyed the recipe, leave a comment and a rating below!
3-2-1 Smoked Ribs
Equipment
- Foil
- Spray Bottle
Ingredients
Ribs Ingredients
- 1 rack Baby back ribs
- Apple cider vinegar - for spritzing
- Carolina BBQ Sauce
- 2 Tablespoons Coarse salt
- 2 Tablespoons Black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons Garlic powder
Carolina BBQ Sauce Ingredients
- 2 cups Apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Ketchup
- 1 Tablespoon Hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon Crushed red pepper
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Start by preheating the smoker to 225°F, and fill a small spray bottle with apple cider vinegar. Peel the silver membrane off the ribs by gripping them by the corner and pulling it off, then season the ribs with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.1 rack Baby back ribs,Apple cider vinegar,2 Tablespoons Coarse salt,2 Tablespoons Black pepper,2 Tablespoons Garlic powder
- Place the ribs in the smoker, and let them smoke for 3 hours. Spritz them once every hour or enough to keep the ribs moist.
- After the 3 hours are up, remove the ribs from the smoker and wrap them in foil. Then return them to the smoker to cook another 2 hours without spritzing.
- While the ribs cook, prepare the BBQ sauce. Add the brown sugar and apple cider vinegar to a small pot over medium heat, then bring it to a boil until the sugar is fully dissolved.2 cups Apple cider vinegar,2 Tablespoons Brown sugar
- Add the rest of the sauce ingredients to the pot and stir until well incorporated. Simmer for five minutes, then remove from the heat until the ribs are cooked.2 Tablespoons Ketchup,1 Tablespoon Hot sauce,1 teaspoon Crushed red pepper,1 teaspoon Garlic powder,1 teaspoon Black pepper,½ teaspoon Salt
- After the ribs have cooked the additional 2 hours, remove the foil and coat them in the homemade BBQ sauce. Cook one more hour, uncovered.Carolina BBQ Sauce
- Remove the ribs from the smoker, then coat one last time with BBQ and let rest 5 minutes. Slice, and serve!
Notes
-
- Hickory pellets add a delicious flavor to the ribs, but any fruit pellets will taste great.
-
- If you want to save on pellets, you can take the ribs out of the smoker for the two hour portion and cook them in the oven at 225°F instead.
-
- When wrapping the ribs, make sure to wrap them tightly! If they're not tightly wrapped, they can dry out and lose flavor.
-
- Don't worry if the BBQ sauce looks thin! Carolina BBQ sauce is a vinegar-based sauce and will be thin and tangy vs sticky and sweet.
-
- If you like your ribs with a little more chew, lower the wrapped cook time to 1 hour, and the second smoke time to 20 minutes.
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