How Long To Smoke Ribs At 275? | Professional Ribs

The aroma of smoky, tender barbecue ribs fresh off the grill is enough to make anyone’s mouth water. But cooking ribs can be intimidating, especially getting them perfectly fall-off-the-bone tender without drying them out. No more guesswork – the reliable 2-2-1 method outlines exactly how long to smoke ribs at 275°F for finger-licking results. In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how long to smoke pork spare ribs or baby back ribs at a 275°F temperature to get them meltingly tender and full of flavor. With the right ingredients, tools, and techniques, you’ll be an expert rib smoker in no time.

Ingredients

Smoking ribs requires just a few simple ingredients:

• Pork Ribs – Choose spare ribs for more fat and flavor or baby back for tenderness. Beef ribs work too. Get 2-2.5 lbs for 4 servings.
• BBQ Rub – A sweet and savory blend of spices like brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Make your own or use store-bought.
• BBQ Sauce – Sweet, tangy, and sticky. Use your favorite sauce or make one with ketchup, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, spices, etc.
• Apple Juice – For spritzing the ribs while cooking to keep them moist. You can also use apple cider vinegar diluted with water.
• Wood Chips – Soak apple, cherry, hickory, or other hardwood chips in water for 30 minutes before smoking.

You’ll also need heavy duty aluminum foil and some basic BBQ tools like a thermometer and tongs.

Prep the Ribs (15 mins)

Before firing up the smoker, take a few minutes to get the ribs ready:

1. Trim – Use a sharp knife to trim off any excess hard fat or unappetizing flap meat.
2. Peel Membrane – Slide a butter knife under the tough membrane on the back of the ribs and peel it off. This makes the ribs more tender.
3. Remove Rib Tips – Cut off the skinny loose rib sections to make a neat rectangle rack.
4. Season – Generously coat both sides of the ribs with a flavorful dry rub. Don’t be shy with the seasoning.
5. Refrigerate – Let the seasoned ribs rest in the fridge while you prepare the smoker. The salt and sugar will penetrate the meat.

Once your smoker is heated to 275°F and filled with aromatic wood smoke, it’s time to start cooking.

Smoke the Ribs (First 2 Hours)

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For the first phase of smoking, the ribs will get nicely browned and develop that quintessential barbecue flavor:

1. Place on Grates – Arrange the ribs meaty side up on the cooking grates, being careful not to overcrowd them.
2. Maintain Temperature – Keep the smoker between 250-275°F, adding more charcoal or wood as needed. Use a thermometer to monitor.
3. Flip & Rotate – Flip and rotate the racks every 30 minutes for even cooking. Watch for the thin ends cooking faster.
4. Spritz – Every 30 minutes, spritz the ribs with apple juice or cider vinegar blend using a spray bottle. This keeps them from drying out.
5. Wrap if Needed – If the thinner ends of the ribs start overcooking, wrap them in foil. The rest can stay unwrapped.

After 2 hours of smoky barbecue bliss, it’s time to steam the ribs to tender perfection.

Steam the Ribs (Second 2 Hours)

Steaming the ribs is the secret step that makes them fall-off-the-bone tender:

1. Prepare Foil – Place two large sheets of heavy duty foil on top of each other on a flat surface.
2. Coat with Juice – Lightly brush the foil with apple juice or vinegar blend. This adds moisture.
3. Wrap Ribs Tightly – Place the ribs meat side down on the foil and wrap them up tightly, scrunching the edges to seal.
4. Back on the Smoker – Put the foil wrapped ribs back on the grill seam side up to steam for 2 hours. The ribs essentially braise in their own juices.

While the ribs steam, the collagen in the meat fully breaks down into tender, mouthwatering goodness.

Glaze and Finish (Final Hour)

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Almost done. For the last phase, the ribs get sauced and lacquered to sticky perfection:

1. Unwrap – After 2 hours, carefully unwrap the steamed ribs and place them back on the cooking grates meat side up.
2. Glaze – Brush your favorite BBQ sauce all over the ribs in a thin, even layer so it can caramelize.
3. Set the Glaze – Let the glazed ribs continue cooking at 275°F for about 1 hour, until the sauce gets nicely tacky and richly browned. Keep a close watch to prevent burning.
4. Remove from Heat – When the ribs are fall-apart tender and glazed to perfection, remove them from the smoker.

Rest and Serve (30 mins)

You’re so close to barbecue bliss. Follow these final steps:

1. Let Rest – Let the ribs rest for at least 10-15 minutes before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute. Resist temptation.
2. Slice – Use a sharp knife to slice the ribs between the bones into individual slabs.
3. Serve and Enjoy – Pile the saucy, tender smoked ribs onto a platter and dig in. Don’t forget classic barbecue sides like cornbread, coleslaw, baked beans, or mac and cheese.

With the reliable 2-2-1 method, you now have the perfect timing for smoking fall-off-the-bone ribs at 275°F. Tweak the technique to your taste, play around with different wood smoke flavors, and make it your own. Once you master the basics, the possibilities are endless. Now get firing up that smoker.

Additional Information

• Total Time: Cooking the ribs using the 2-2-1 method at 275°F will take approximately 5 hours, plus resting and preparation time.
• Internal Temp: Ribs are safe to eat and properly tender around 203°F internally. Use an instant read thermometer to check doneness.
• Troubleshooting: If the ribs are dry, they may have overcooked. If they are still tough, they need more time in the foil and possibly a lower heat.
• Pairings: Serve these ribs with classic barbecue sides like baked beans, coleslaw, cornbread, mac and cheese or potato salad. Iced tea, lemonade or beer make great beverage pairings.
• Storage: Leftover ribs will keep refrigerated for 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the oven or on the grill before serving again.
• Metric: 1 lb ribs = 450g, 275°F = 135°C. Use scale and thermometer for metric measurements.

I hope this step-by-step guide gives you the knowledge and confidence to smoke some mouthwatering, competition-worthy ribs in your own backyard. Smoking ribs does take some time and patience, but the incredibly juicy, tender payoff is so worth it. Let me know how your ribs turn out in the comments. What’s your secret ingredient or technique for barbecue success?

Conclusion

Smoking ribs can seem daunting, but have no fear – the 2-2-1 method at 275°F outlined here takes the guesswork out of the process. By following the step-by-step instructions, basting with flavorful mop sauces, and allowing enough time for tenderizing, you’ll achieve the ultimate goal: fall-off-the-bone ribs that are moist, juicy, and full of smoky barbecue goodness. While ribs require some hands-on effort, the active time is broken up into manageable stages. For the patience it demands, smoking ribs rewards you with one of the most satisfying flavors and textures known to mankind. A stellar plate of sticky fingers and bones picked clean are the signs of smoking success. I hope this guide has inspired you to fire up your grill or smoker for some damn good ribs soon. Just be prepared for friends and family to start requesting your recipe.