- Preheat smoker to 275°F.
- Remove the rib membrane using a butter knife or a paper towel. …
- Pour on hot sauce as a spice binder. …
- Smoke ribs for 3 hours.
- Spritz ribs with beef broth every remaining hour.
- Smoke for an additional 4-6 hours or until internal temperature has reached 203F.
- Serve and enjoy!
Smoked Beef Ribs Recipe
I was extremely intimidated by smoking anything for a very long time. This Smoked Beef Ribs recipe was one of the first ones I created for the smoker because it’s straightforward, low maintenance, and it turns out every single time I make it. But eventually, my love for all things beef barbecue won out and I decided to give it a try.
Picking the Meat for Smoking Beef Ribs
There are a few different kinds of Beef Ribs you can purchase. Back Ribs are the least expensive and usually have the smallest amount of meat. They are a smaller Rib but often they are the only Ribs I can find in our little mountain valley so I use them frequently. They turn out amazing!
You can also use Chuck Ribs or Plate Ribs. Plate Ribs are going to be the nicest type of Ribs with the most meat, with Chuck Ribs falling somewhere in between plate and back. Honestly, as long as you follow this recipe, the smoked Ribs will turn out amazing no matter what kind you use!
Is there a difference between beef ribs and beef short ribs?
Yes. Beef short ribs are divided from the rest of the beef, which is all connected together.
Beef Ribs Recipe Ingredients and Equipment
- 3 to 4 pounds of beef, cut into ribs, chuck, or plates (see note)
- 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce see note
- 2 teaspoons black pepper coarse ground
- 2 teaspoons garlic salt
- 1/4 cup vinegar white
- 3/4 cup water
- Thermoworks MK4 Thermapen
- ThermoPop
- Thermoworks Smoke 2 Channel Alarm
- Smoker Pellets
- Smoker
- Grill Basting Mop
- Grill Utensil Set
How to Smoke Beef Ribs
- Rub ribs with 2 tablespoons of your favorite BBQ sauce, 2 tablespoons each of coarsely ground black pepper and garlic salt. I like to use a Carolina style sauce for Ribs.
- Fill smoker with hickory pellets and heat to 230-250ºF. I prefer to cook ribs at different temperatures depending on their thickness.
How Long to Smoke Beef Ribs
- Place the ribs on the smoker’s lowest grate and smoke for two hours.
- After two hours, give the ribs a 3:1 vinegar-to-water brushing or spraying. Depending on the size of your ribs, continue every hour until the temperature reaches 205-210oF, which could take up to 3 hours.
- Remove the ribs from the smoker, then wrap them in foil or parchment paper. Allow to rest for at least 30 to 60 minutes.
How to Store and Reheat Smoked Beef Ribs
For up to five days, smoked beef ribs can be kept in the refrigerator. They can be warmed up in a microwave-safe dish with a moist paper towel on top.
If you are new to smoking like I was, be sure to read through this fantastic article on smoking beef by Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. It outlines all the basics of smoking from cuts of beef to types of woodchips or pellets and their flavor.
Smoking Beef Ribs FAQ
When smoked beef ribs are cooked too quickly, they become tough. Smoked beef ribs won’t be tough if you cook them slowly at a low temperature. The smoked beef ribs should be cooked to the recommended internal temperature to avoid becoming tough.
Yes, you can prepare smoked beef ribs using the 3-2-1 method.
No, I do not recommend boiling beef ribs before cooking.
What to Serve with Smoked Beef Ribs
Corn on the cob is one of my preferred vegetable side dishes to go with smoked beef ribs. Once I take the beef ribs off to rest, I literally just toss it on the smoker with a light coating of butter and garlic salt. The corn will be nice and sweet, smoky, and delicious by the time the beef ribs are done resting!
The corn and ribs go great together, especially since they both have a fantastic hickory smoked flavor. But who am I kidding, any vegetable goes well with beef, so perhaps that should be my new motto: “Beef makes everything better!” What do you think? I believe it to be true.
Looking for more beefy recipes??
If you’re looking for another great smoked recipe, check out this Smoked Meatloaf!
- 3 to 4 pounds of beef, cut into ribs, chuck, or plates (see note)
- 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce see note
- 2 teaspoons black pepper coarse ground
- 2 teaspoons garlic salt
- 1/4 cup vinegar white
- 3/4 cup water
- Smoker should be loaded with hickory pellets and heated to 230°F (see note).
- Combine the BBQ sauce, pepper, and salt.
- Rub the BBQ sauce mixture onto the Ribs.
- Place the ribs on the smoker’s lowest grate and smoke for two hours.
- After the first two hours, spray or brush the ribs with a mixture of water and vinegar once an hour for the following three hours, or until the ribs reach a temperature of 205-210 °F.
- Remove the ribs from the smoker, then wrap them in foil or parchment paper. Allow to rest for at least 30 to 60 minutes.
Looking for More Posts?
How to Smoke Beef Short Ribs in Masterbuilt Electric Smoker for Beginners – Dino Ribs – Superbowl
FAQ
How long does it take to smoke beef ribs on electric smoker?
Easily smoke ribs in an electric smoker. Simply use the 3-2-1 method and set the smoker to 225°F. You’ll have tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs after about 6 hours of smoking.
How do you smoke beef ribs in a Masterbuilt electric smoker?
Using an instant read thermometer like a Thermoworks MK4 Thermapen, short ribs of beef are considered to be done when their internal temperature reaches between 200 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit. Plan on spending a total of 6 hours at 225 degrees F. Plan on smoking for 5 hours total if the temperature is 250 degrees.
How long does it take to smoke beef ribs at 225?
Preheat the smoker to 250F degrees. For about 4 hours, place the seasoned ribs in the smoker. Your ribs’ size will determine how long they need to cook; some racks are significantly bigger than others. Consequently, when the meat reaches a temperature of 200F to 205F degrees, they will be fully cooked.