Our renowned 3-2-1 ribs recipe will make your rib game the talk of the neighborhood. This incredibly straightforward recipe eliminates all the complexity of making ribs without sacrificing flavor by smoking your ribs for three hours, cooking them in foil for two hours, and then removing them from the foil and brushing on sauce for up to an hour.
Smoked Ribs For Beginners | 321 Ribs On A Pellet Grill
Pellet-Grill Smoked Ribs 🔗
The pellet grill might be the best thing to happen to barbecue since fire was invented!
With no need to constantly tend a fire or monitor smoke and heat, it makes smoking much easier. We tested out baby-back ribs, spareribs and St Louis-style ribs. Overall, we preferred the St. Louis style, although you can substitute spareribs. For the sauce, we went with a balanced blend of vinegar and sweetness that really lets the smoky flavor of the meat shine.
Total: 0 5h30min0
Serving Size: 1 of 6 servings
Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 of 6 servings, calories 748, Fat 54g, Saturated Fat 16g, Carbohydrate 33g, Fiber 1g, Sugar 26g, Protein 33g, Cholesterol 166mg, Sodium 986mg
Ingredients:
- Kosher salt and coarsely ground black pepper
- 4 teaspoons paprika
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 full racks St. Louis-style pork ribs (2 1/2 to 3 pounds)
- 2/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 cups ketchup
- 1/3 cup distilled white vinegar
- 1/3 cup dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 to 2 teaspoons hot sauce, to taste
Instruction:
- Preheat a pellet grill to 275 degrees F (see Cook’s Note). Combine 2 tablespoons salt, 4 tablespoons coarsely ground pepper and 2 teaspoons paprika in a small bowl. Rub each rack of ribs all over with 1 tablespoon oil and sprinkle evenly with the salt and spice mixture on both sides.
- Transfer the ribs, meat-side up, to the grill grates. Cover the grill and cook for 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, combine 1/3 cup cider vinegar with 1/3 cup water in a spray bottle. After 1 hour spray the ribs with the vinegar-water mixture so they are damp all over. Cover and cook for 1 more hour.
- Meanwhile, combine the ketchup, 3/4 cup water, the remaining 1/3 cup cider vinegar, white vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons salt, 2 teaspoons pepper, hot sauce and the remaining 2 teaspoons paprika in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the mixture is warmed through and the sugar is melted, about 2 minutes. Set aside.
- Check the ribs and spray them again with vinegar-water. They should be starting to take on a red color from the smoke. Cover and cook until they are deep red, 30 to 45 minutes. Spray the ribs once more, then brush the meaty part of each rack with 1/4 cup of the sauce. Close the grill and cook for another 15 minutes so the sauce can set.
- Lay down two pieces of heavy-duty foil that are long enough to enclose each rack on a work surface and spread half of each sheet with 1/4 cup sauce. Transfer the rib racks, meat side down, onto the saucy part of the foil. Coat the bone sides with 1/4 cup sauce and a few sprays of the vinegar-water, then fold the foil over and seal tightly.
- Add another layer of foil if the first has punctured during wrapping. Transfer the ribs to a rimmed baking sheet and place on the grill (the baking sheet will catch any juices that leak out). Cover and cook until tender but not falling off the bone, about 2 hours.
- Remove from the grill and let rest 5 minutes before carefully unwrapping (watch out for hot steam). Slice each rack into individual rib portions and serve with the remaining sauce.
FAQ
How long does it take to cook ribs on a pellet grill?
Smoked Pellet Grilled Ribs (3-2-1 Method)Preparation time: 20 min. Cooking time: 6 hrs. Total time: 6 hrs.
How long do you smoke ribs at 225 on a pellet grill?
It is possible to smoke ribs in a variety of ways, but the simplest method is to do so at 225 degrees Fahrenheit, which produces meat that is rich, flavorful, and tender. Smoking baby back ribs at 225 degrees Fahrenheit takes about 5 to 6 hours.
What is the 3 2 1 rule for ribs?
In essence, making 3 2 1 ribs involves smoking the ribs for 3 hours on the pellet grill, wrapping them in foil for 2 hours while they continue to cook on the grill, and then cooking them for 1 hour while unwrapped and doused in barbecue sauce.
How long should I smoke my ribs on a pellet smoker?
When ready to cook, preheat the Traeger for 15 minutes with the lid closed, then smoke the ribs for 3 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.