A mouthwatering smoked beef back ribs recipe featuring a simple dry rub and BBQ sauce. Back ribs are smoky and tender, and perfect for your next backyard cookout!
Want to save this recipe?
We'll email you this recipe so you can come back to it later!
Hey, ya’ll! We are excited to share this delicious smoked beef back ribs recipe, which was a popular request by many of our readers (calling all meat lovers!). This one is similar to our dino beef rib recipe but it uses beef rib back ribs instead of beef short ribs. We also have a St. Louis style bbq ribs recipe if you'd prefer a rack of pork ribs.
If you’re anything like Marrekus, then you’re always on the lookout for new barbecue recipes. These beef back ribs is a really easy recipe to make and they have great, beefy flavor. Whether you’re a seasoned BBQ pitmaster or if it's your first time and you're just starting out, these ribs turn out tender and flavorful every single time.
So, fire up the smoker or pellet grill because it’s time to check these off your BBQ bucket list!
What you'll love about this recipe:
What are Beef Back Ribs?
Beef back ribs, also known as beef rib back ribs or simply back ribs, are a cut of beef taken from the upper portion of the ribcage, specifically from the back of the ribs (closest to the spine). Unlike beef short ribs or dino ribs, which come from the lower portion of the ribcage, beef back ribs are cut closer to the loin and have less meat attached to the bone. They are easy to find at your local grocery store (Walmart, etc.).
Both rib cuts have a rich flavor and are very tender when cooked properly. They are commonly used in barbecue and smoking recipes (our favorite cooking technique) due to their ability to absorb smoke and seasoning. They can also be slow-cooked, grilled, or smoked to achieve tender, flavorful results.
Ingredients
- Bone-in beef back ribs
- Worcestershire sauce
- Soul Dust soul food seasoning or your favorite dry rub
- Barbecue sauce
- Pickles, pickled onions, and slices of bread for serving
- Hickory or oak wood for smoking
How to Smoke Beef Rib Back Ribs
- Alright, first things first – fire up your smoker or grill over indirect heat to 250°F.
- Start with room temperature beef back ribs. Slather them with Worcestershire sauce, then sprinkle on Soul Dust seasoning or use your favorite dry rub. Black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder (or granulated garlic and onion), and kosher salt is a great combination. Make sure to coat the rack of ribs from end to end (the sides of the ribs, etc.) with a medium coating.
- Throw the seasoned ribs right on the smoker and close the lid. Let them cook for about 3 hours, or until they're nice and tender and hit about 165-170°F on the inside.
- Next, wrap them in foil and put them back into the smoker for another 30 minutes to an hour. We're aiming for that perfect temp of 200°F – 202°F.
- Carefully unwrap the ribs and pour on your favorite BBQ sauce.
- Put them back into the smoker for a quick 10 minutes to let that barbecue sauce set.
- Remove the back ribs from the smoker and let them rest for a few minutes on a baking sheet to lock in all those juicy flavors.
- Plate your BBQ beef ribs with some pickles, pickled onions, and slices of bread, and enjoy.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Wood Choice: Choose the right type of wood is important when cooking beef ribs. We prefer hickory or oak can because they can add a nice smoke flavor that complements the beef.
- Temperature Control: Maintain consistent temperature throughout the smoking process and use a reliable thermometer to monitor the temperature of both the smoker and the ribs.
- Wrapping Technique: When wrapping the ribs in foil, make sure to seal them tightly to prevent moisture loss. This is the best way to make sure you get tender, juicy ribs.
- Customization: Feel free to customize the seasoning and sauce according to your taste preferences. Experiment with different spice blends, homemade BBQ sauce, or marinades to create unique flavor profiles.
What to Serve with Beef Rib Back Ribs
While pickles, pickled onions, and bread are our favorite classic accompaniments to beef back ribs, there are plenty of other delicious side dishes that pair well with them. Here are some popular options:
- BBQ Coleslaw: Our creamy and crunchy BBQ Coleslaw is a Southern-inspired side dish that brings the perfect blend of textures and flavor. This isn’t just any coleslaw recipe; it’s the best coleslaw for ribs, and other barbecue recipes!
- Baked Beans: Flavorful baked beans with ground beef is a classic barbecue side dish that’s as convenient as it is delicious. Made with canned beans, seasoned beef, bell pepper, onion, and seasonings, these beans are perfect with ribs,
- Cornbread: Our soul food cornbread recipe is easy to follow and yields a moist, tender crumb. It combines the rich tang of buttermilk with classic ingredients like butter and sugar for a delightful side dish that complements any Southern meal.
- Macaroni and Cheese: Indulge in this Southern baked macaroni and cheese recipe featuring cheddar, Monterey jack, and mozzarella. This recipe uses no roux! It’s decadent and comforting, and an absolute must-try for anyone looking to savor a taste of the South.
- Potato Salad: Our Southern potato salad has the best creamy texture and tangy flavor, with ingredients like mayo, mustard, hard-boiled eggs, pickle relish, and seasonings. It’s one of those recipes that always brings people together at barbecues, picnics, family reunions, and holiday gatherings!
FAQ
How do I know when the ribs are done cooking?
Summary
These smoked beef back ribs are a real crowd-pleaser, whether you’re a seasoned BBQ master or just learning to smoke meats. We’re talking delicious, fall-off-the-bone ribs perfect for any backyard cookout or family gathering!
📖 Recipe
Easy Smoked Beef Back Ribs Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 pound package bone-in beef back ribs
- Worcestershire sauce
- Soul Dust soul food seasoning or use your favorite BBQ seasoning blend
- BBQ sauce
- Pickles pickled onions, and slices of bread for serving
Instructions
- Prepare smoker and preheat to 250°F.
- Brush Worcestershire sauce generously over surface of back ribs to act as a binder.
- Sprinkle soul food seasoning evenly over both sides of ribs, coating well with seasoning. Alternatively, use your favorite BBQ spice rub.
- Once smoker is preheated, place seasoned beef back ribs directly on the grill grate.
- Close smoker lid and let ribs smoke at 250°F for about 3 hours, or until internal temperature of ribs reaches 165-170°F.
- Once back ribs reach the desired internal temperature, remove them from smoker and wrap tightly in two sheets of foil.
- Place foiled ribs back in smoker and continue cooking until internal temperature reaches 200°F - 202°F, about 30 minutes to an hour.
- Carefully remove foil-wrapped ribs from smoker and unwrap them.
- Brush BBQ sauce generously over back ribs, coating them evenly.
- Return sauced ribs to smoker and cook for an additional 10 minutes to let sauce set.
- Once done, remove ribs from smoker and let rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve smoked beef back ribs with pickles, pickled onions, and slices of bread.
John K says
so good, didn't even need the bbq sauce at the end
Krysten & Marrekus Wilkes says
Thank you so much! We make these smoked beef ribs all the time, it's one of our favorite recipes.
Jazz says
This rib recipe was, in fact, easy and everybody loved the flavor. Perfectly tender, too! Thank you!
Marcus Avery says
These beef ribs were simply irresistible! They were super easy to make and satisfied my very hungry crowd of friends. I paired the ribs with your baked beans and coleslaw recipes and everything was a hit!
Shani Whisonant says
My husband and kiddos are such huge ribs fans, and when I say they are *partic. lar* about their ribs? LOL
They loved these ribs. They had just enough heat to not overpower the wonderful flavor of the meat and s. ices. What a tremendous recipe!