For those looking to truly master the art of smoking ribs, knowing how long does it take to smoke ribs at 275. Whether you’re a novice barbecue chef, or an experienced outdoor cooking guru, mastering perfectly smoked ribs requires patience and dedication. In this blog post, we’ll explore how long it takes to smoke ribs when cooked over indirect heat at 275 degrees Fahrenheit. We’ll provide tips for getting your racks just right so you can impress everyone with juicy and tender rib-meals that will have your friends raving about for days! Get ready to learn all that’s necessary for mastering the perfect smoked ribb experience – time’s ticking.
Contents
- 1 What Are Smoked Ribs?
- 2 What Type Of Ribs Are We Smoking?
- 3 What Is The Best Temperature For Smoking Ribs?
- 4 How Long Does It Take To Smoke Ribs At 275?
- 5 Factors That Affect The Time It Takes To Smoke Ribs At 275
- 6 Preparing Your Grill And Equipment For Smoking Ribs At 275
- 7 How To Set Up Your Grill For Smoking Ribs At 275?
- 8 Marinating And Seasoning Your Meat Before Smoking It At 275
- 9 How To Smoked Ribs At 275?
- 10 How To Tell If Smoked Ribs Are Done?
- 11 Tips For Ensuring Perfectly Smoked Ribs Every Time
- 12 How To Serve Smoked Ribs?
- 13 How To Preserve Smoked Ribs?
What Are Smoked Ribs?
Before we dive into the cooking process, let’s define what smoked ribs actually are. Smoked ribs are a popular barbecue dish that involves slow-cooking racks of pork or beef ribs over indirect heat and smoke. This method of cooking infuses the meat with a delicious smoky flavor and results in tender, juicy ribs that fall off the bone. There are various types of smoked ribs, including spare ribs, baby back ribs, and St. Louis-style ribs. Each cut has its own unique flavor profile and cooking time. However, the general process for smoking them at 275 degrees Fahrenheit remains the same.

What Type Of Ribs Are We Smoking?
Since there are many different types of ribs, it’s essential to specify the cut we’ll be using for our smoked rib recipe. For this guide, we will be focusing on smoking pork spare ribs at 275 degrees Fahrenheit. Spare ribs come from the belly area of the pig and have a higher fat content compared to other cuts, making them perfect for smoking. They also tend to be thicker than other rib cuts, which means they require more time to cook thoroughly.
What Is The Best Temperature For Smoking Ribs?
While some may prefer to smoke their ribs at lower temperatures for longer periods of time, 275 degrees Fahrenheit is the sweet spot for perfectly smoked ribs. At this temperature, the meat will cook evenly and reach its ideal internal temperature without drying out or becoming tough. It also allows enough time for the fat to render and melt, resulting in juicy and flavorful ribs.
How Long Does It Take To Smoke Ribs At 275?
To achieve optimal flavor, you can add an additional layer of taste by incorporating uncooked spice when finishing the smoking process. Smoke the ribs for approximately 2 hours at 275 degrees using applewood. If the ends start to overcook, which can be identified by darkening, proceed to wrap them in foil. Here are some general guidelines on how long does it take to smoke ribs at 275 degrees Fahrenheit:
Smoke Spare Ribs At 275°F
The recommended smoking time for ribs at 275 degrees is about 2 hours, using applewood. It is important to monitor the doneness and if the ends begin to overcook, wrapping them in foil can help prevent further darkening. This step also leads to a process called “braising,” where the meat cooks in its own juices and becomes extra tender.
Smoke Baby Back Ribs At 275°F
Since baby back ribs are thinner than spare ribs, they cook faster. It takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to smoke baby back ribs at 275 degrees Fahrenheit using applewood. You can also wrap them in foil after the first hour if needed.
Smoke St. Louis Ribs At 275°F
St. Louis ribs, which are spare ribs trimmed into a rectangular shape, require a longer smoking time than baby back ribs. It takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes to smoke St. Louis ribs at 275 degrees Fahrenheit using applewood. If the ends start to darken, you can wrap them in foil after the first hour.

Factors That Affect The Time It Takes To Smoke Ribs At 275
It’s essential to note that various factors can affect the time it takes to smoke ribs at 275 degrees Fahrenheit. These include:
- Type of smoker: The type of smoker you use and its heating capabilities can impact the cooking time.
- Size and thickness of ribs: As mentioned, thicker cuts of meat require more time to cook thoroughly.
- Outdoor temperature: If you’re smoking ribs on a chilly day, it may take longer for them to reach their desired internal temperature.
- Frequency of opening the lid: Opening the lid frequently can cause fluctuations in temperature and increase cooking time.
Preparing Your Grill And Equipment For Smoking Ribs At 275
Before you start smoking your ribs, it’s crucial to prepare your grill and equipment properly. Here are some tips for getting everything ready:
- Use a good quality smoker: Investing in a high-quality smoker will make the process of smoking ribs at 275 degrees much more manageable.
- Preheat your grill: Preheat your grill to 275 degrees Fahrenheit before adding the ribs.
- Use a water pan: Placing a shallow pan filled with water under the ribs while they smoke helps keep them moist and prevents them from drying out.
- Add wood chunks or chips: Adding wood chunks or chips directly onto hot coals can help enhance the smoky flavor of your ribs.
How To Set Up Your Grill For Smoking Ribs At 275?
Now that you’ve prepped your grill and equipment, it’s time to set everything up for smoking ribs at 275 degrees Fahrenheit. Here’s how:
- Start by lighting your coals in a chimney starter.
- Once the coals are ready, add them to one side of the grill.
- Place a water pan on the opposite side of the coals.
- Add wood chunks or chips onto the hot coals.
- Close the lid and let the grill reach 275 degrees Fahrenheit.
Marinating And Seasoning Your Meat Before Smoking It At 275
To add extra flavor to your ribs, you can marinate them or use a dry rub before placing them on the grill. Here are some tips for marinating and seasoning your meat:
- For marinating: Place the ribs in a zip-top bag with your desired marinade and let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
- For using a dry rub: Rub your favorite spice blend onto both sides of the ribs and let them sit for at least an hour before smoking.
How To Smoked Ribs At 275?
The method I recommend for smoking pork ribs at 275 degrees Fahrenheit is called the 2-2-1 method. To achieve moist and tender ribs, follow these steps: smoke the ribs uncovered for 2 hours, then wrap them in foil and smoke for an additional 2 hours. Finally, remove the foil and place the ribs back on the grill for up to 1 hour, brushing them with BBQ sauce during the last 30 minutes if desired. This method will give you perfectly smoked ribs every time.
How To Tell If Smoked Ribs Are Done?
To determine if your ribs are done smoking, you can follow these guidelines:
- Use a meat thermometer: The most accurate way to check if your ribs are done is by using a meat thermometer. Pork ribs should reach an internal temperature of 190 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Bend test: Another method is to use the bend test. Pick up the rack of ribs with tongs and gently shake them. If they start to crack or break apart, they’re likely overcooked. However, if they bend slightly without breaking, they are done and ready to be removed from the grill.
Tips For Ensuring Perfectly Smoked Ribs Every Time
Here are some tips to keep in mind when smoking ribs at 275 degrees Fahrenheit:
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the ribs. They are safe to eat when they reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Baste your ribs with BBQ sauce during the last 30 minutes of smoking for added flavor.
- Let the ribs rest for about 10 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute and make them even more tender.
- Experiment with different types of wood for varying levels of smoky flavor.
How To Serve Smoked Ribs?
When your ribs are done cooking, it’s time to remove them from the grill and serve them up. Here are some tips on how to serve smoked ribs:
- Cut the ribs into individual portions using a sharp knife.
- Serve with your favorite side dishes such as coleslaw, baked beans, or mac and cheese.
- Top with additional BBQ sauce if desired.
- Garnish with fresh herbs for added flavor and presentation.

How To Preserve Smoked Ribs?
If you have leftover smoked ribs, you can preserve them for later use. Here’s how:
- Let the ribs cool down completely before storing them.
- Place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly with foil.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 6 months.
- To reheat, simply place the ribs in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes or until heated through.

Harmony Saunders is the CEO and founder of Bamboo Wok, a family-owned and operated Chinese restaurant that has been serving the Manvel, Rosharon, and Alvin communities for more than nine years. Our delicious dishes are made from scratch with the best ingredients, vegetables are fresh cut daily in our kitchen, and poultry is delivered every two days.
So whether you’re craving Chinese food for the family or need catering for your next event, please give us a try! We know you won’t be disappointed with our fresh, authentic Asian fare.