How to smoke ribs on pellet grill

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, and with a delicious bark thanks to my own BBQ rib rub recipe.  This smoking method works with any kind of ribs you have.  I used pork spare ribs but this will work for baby back 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 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.  You just fill up the hopper with your choice of pellets, set the temperature, and start smoking.

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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 rib rub, place the rack in the smoker and let them cook until they pass the bend test.  Of course, I will go into more detail below.

Step by step instructions with photos

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.

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.

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.  Here is a good video showing exactly how to accomplish this.

Now that the silver skin is removed from the ribs we can season them.  I lay mine out 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.

How long does it take to smoke ribs at 225F?

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 hours.

What is the bend test?

This test ensures you will have perfectly cooked 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 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.

I love to serve these with bacon wrapped asparagus and some keto coleslaw!

Printable recipe

• 2 racks Baby Back or Spare Ribs
• BBQ Rib Rub

• Pellet Grill

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

Servings: 4

Nutrition is provided as a courtesy only. Please re-calculate on your own with the ingredients and amounts you used for the most accurate data.

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