Smoky, Tender, and Award-Worthy Ribs
If you’re looking to serve up competition-level ribs, this recipe from Capt. Sal McCain delivers smoky, juicy, and flavor-packed spare ribs that will impress your family and friends. With the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and a touch of heat, these St. Louis-style ribs are worth every bite. Follow this step-by-step guide to achieve championship-worthy results!
- Prep Time: 45–60 minutes (seasoning & resting)
- Cook Time: 2.5–3 hours
- Servings: 2–3
Ingredients
- 1 rack St. Louis-style spare ribs
- 4 tbsp Unkie’s Chipotle Seasoning
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 tbsp agave nectar
- ⅓ cup apple juice
- 4 tbsp Your favorite BBQ Sauce
Instructions
1. Season & Rest
- Generously coat both sides of the ribs with Unkie’s Chipotle Seasoning.
- Let them sit for 45–60 minutes to absorb the flavors.
2. Fire Up the Smoker
- Preheat your smoker to 300°F.
3. Smoke the Ribs
- Place the ribs meat side up on the grill.
- Smoke for 1–1½ hours until the bark is a deep mahogany and feels firm, not wet or chalky when scraped with a fingernail.
4. Wrap & Tenderize
- Double wrap the ribs meat side down in heavy-duty aluminum foil, adding: Brown sugar, Butter, Agave nectar, Apple juice
- Wrap tightly and return to the smoker for 1 hour, or until a temp probe slides between the bones with little resistance.
5. Sauce & Finish
- Remove from the foil and apply a light coat of BBQ sauce.
- Place back on the grill for 10 minutes to let the sauce set.
6. Rest & Serve
- Remove from heat and let the ribs rest for 10 minutes.
- Slice between the bones and serve hot.
Cooking Tips & Notes
- For a deeper smoke flavor, use a mix of hickory and fruitwood like apple or cherry.
- Don’t skip the rest time! This ensures maximum juiciness.
- Adjust the sweetness or heat by tweaking the rub and sauce amounts to suit your taste.
- For crispier bark, leave the ribs unwrapped for the last 20 minutes instead of wrapping them.
Equipment Needed
- Smoker or grill
- Heavy-duty aluminum foil
- Meat thermometer or probe
- Basting brush
- Sharp knife
- Resealable container (for leftovers)
Storage & Reheating
Refrigeration:
- Store leftover ribs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezing:
- Wrap ribs in plastic wrap and foil, then store in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Reheating Instructions:
- Oven: Wrap ribs in foil and heat at 275°F for 20 minutes.
- Grill: Warm over indirect heat for 10–15 minutes, brushing with sauce if needed.
- Microwave: Heat in 30-second bursts, covered with a damp paper towel.
Try This Recipe & Share Your Results!
Now that you’ve got the ultimate BBQ rib recipe, it’s time to fire up the smoker and give it a go! Whether it’s for a backyard cookout, a competition, or just a weekend indulgence, these ribs will have everyone coming back for more. Let us know how they turn out in the comments below or tag us on social media!