Memphis Style Baby Back Ribs Recipe

Memphis style baby back ribs laid on on a wooden cutting board.

5 from 4 votes

Smoked baby back ribs, Memphis-style. If you haven't tried this yet, you may have been missing out. Tender, smoked goodness! 😋

Prep Time15

Cook Time5

Quick Dry Brine and Rest (explained in recipe)1 30

Course: barbecue

Cuisine: American

Keyword: pork, ribs

Servings:

Calories: 495kcal

Equipment

Smoker We use a Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050

Ingredients

The Ribs

1 rack Pork baby back ribs

Memphis Style Rub

1/2 cup Paprika
2 tbsp Smoked paprika
2 tbsp Garlic powder
1/4 cup Chili powder
3 tbsp Kosher salt
3 tbsp Black pepper
3 tbsp Brown sugar packed
2 tbsp Onion powder
1 tbsp Dried oregano
1 tbsp Cumin
2 tsp Dried mustard
1 tsp Cayenne powder

The Wrap

2 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
3 tbsp Butter
3 tbsp Honey

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Remove the membrane (silver skin) from the back side of the ribs.
Trim off any bits and pieces that will will burn off during the smoking process.
Generously apply rub on both sides of the ribs, patting in the rub.
Allow ribs to rest for one hour before smoking (dry brine).
Get the smoker to 250 degrees F and use your preferred wood (we recommend hickory).
Place ribs into the smoker and allow to smoke for 3 hours.
Wrap the ribs in aluminum foil with the apple cider vinegar, butter, and honey. Make sure the ribs are bone side up so the meaty part of the ribs are in the braising ingredients.
Place back onto the smoker for one hour.
Remove the ribs from the smoker. Take them out of the aluminum foil.
Place back onto the smoker for an additional hour.
Check for doneness by using an instant-read thermometer. Pull the ribs off at 195 degrees F. For fall-off-the-bone, pull them at 200-205 degrees F.
Allow to rest for 20 to 30 minutes then cut them into individual ribs.
Enjoy!

Notes

The rub ingredients make almost 2 cups.

This recipe is for Memphis Style Dry Ribs. If you want a Memphis Wet rib, apply your favorite sauce thinly to the ribs 20 minutes before pulling them off the smoker.

Nutrition