My Smoked 3-2-1 Ribs are juicy and tender, with a perfect smoke ring and a sticky, caramelized BBQ glaze that'll have you reaching for extra napkins. This foolproof 3-step method makes incredible ribs that practically fall off the bone.
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As a full-time BBQ recipe developer, these ribs are still the recipe my friends and family request the most. The 3-2-1 method works every single time.
If you love these ribs, you should check out these rib recipes: 2-2-1 Smoked Ribs, Oven Baked Ribs, and Smoked Beef Back Ribs.
Ingredients You'll Need
Before we get to the step-by-step instructions, a few notes about the ingredients and useful substitutions:
- Pork ribs: I usually grab St. Louis-style ribs for their meat and fat content. Baby backs work great too. Look for good marbling.
- Yellow mustard: Just a binder - you won't taste it in the final product. Dijon or olive oil works too.
- Pork rub: I doubled my signature Homemade Pork Rub, which contains brown sugar, smoked paprika (regular works too, but the smoked stuff is worth tracking down), onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, dry mustard powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. I sometimes add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes for heat.
- Apple juice. Creates steam during wrapping that breaks down tough tissues. Beer works great too!
- BBQ sauce. Use your favorite store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce.
Full ingredient amounts and detailed instructions are provided in the printable recipe below.
How To Make Smoked 3-2-1 Ribs
For more detailed instructions with measurements, jump to the recipe card.
Step 1
Remove the Membrane: Flip ribs bone-side up, slide a butter knife under the thin membrane, grab with a paper towel, and peel off. If it tears, start again on the next section until it's all gone. This lets smoke penetrate and prevents a chewy texture.
Step 2
Apply Mustard: Coat both sides with a thin layer of yellow mustard.
Step 3
Season: Mix up your dry rub and sprinkle it on generously. And I mean GENEROUSLY. Don't be shy here! Pat it gently so it sticks.
Tip: Use an empty spice jar to sprinkle the rub easily. Hold it about 12 inches away.
Step 4
First Smoke Session (3 hours): Preheat your Traeger pellet grill or any pellet smoker to 225°F. Place ribs bone-side down directly on the grill grate and smoke undisturbed for 3 hours until the internal temperature reaches 160-165°F.
Step 5
The Wrap Phase (2 hours): Take out two long sheets of heavy-duty foil for each rack. Place the ribs meat-side down on the foil and pour 1 cup of apple juice beside each rack (not on top - you don't want to wash off that beautiful rub). Wrap them up tight using the drugstore technique - bring the long edges together, fold them down, and seal the ends. Then, wrap the whole thing again with another piece of foil to prevent leaks.
Step 6
Continue Smoking: Return wrapped ribs to the grill for 2 more hours until internal temperature reaches about 200°F.
Step 7
Sauce 'Em Up (1 hour): Unwrap ribs (careful of steam!), return to grates, and brush with barbecue sauce on both sides. Cook for another hour to create a sticky glaze. For competition-style texture, reduce to 15-30 minutes.
Step 8
Rest & Dig In: Let rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing between bones. Serve with your favorite sides, and get ready for the compliments!
Watch How to Make 3-2-1 Smoked Ribs
Oven Instructions
No smoker? Follow the same prep steps, but bake at 225°F for 3 hours, wrap with apple juice for 2 hours, then unwrap, sauce, and finish under the broiler.
You can also try these BBQ Pork Ribs in the Instant Pot. It's a lifesaver when you're craving ribs mid-week!
How to Tell When They're Perfect
I've cooked tons of ribs over the years, and here's what I look for: The meat should pull back from the bone tips by about ¼ inch. When you pick up the rack with tongs, it should bend nicely in the middle without breaking in half. And when you take a bite, the meat should come clean off the bone but not fall off before you bite it. If you've got a meat thermometer, you want to hit an internal temperature of 195-203°F.
Make Ahead Tip
These ribs are perfect for parties because you can do most of the work ahead of time! I often smoke them through the wrapped phase (so the first 5 hours), then refrigerate overnight. The next day, I let them come to room temp, sauce them up, and finish them on the grill for that fresh-off-the-smoker experience. Everyone thinks I've been slaving over the smoker all day!
Serving Suggestions
When I serve these ribs, I usually pair them with Smoked Baked Beans, Smoked Mac and Cheese, or Smoked Baked Potatoes (I can throw them on the smoker beside the ribs).
They also go great with Smoked Corn on the Cob, Smoked Corn on the Cob in Foil, or Grilled Mexican Street Corn.
I also like to serve them with classic side dishes like Miracle Whip Coleslaw, Red Skin Potato Salad, Fresh Carrot Salad, Watermelon Salad, Creamy Cucumber Salad, or Greek Cucumber Salad.
Recipe FAQs
3 hours unwrapped smoking, 2 hours wrapped with liquid, 1 final hour with sauce.
Fruit woods like apple and cherry for mild smoke, or hickory, pecan, or maple for stronger flavor.
Yes, the smoking time should be similar if only half a rack of ribs are used.
About half a rack per person as a main dish, or 3-4 ribs when serving multiple meats.
More Smoker Recipes You'll Love
- Smoked BBQ Party Ribs (great for a party appetizer).
- My Smoked Beer Can Chicken stays incredibly juicy.
- Pellet Grill Smoked Brisket (a weekend project but SO worth it)
- Smoked Whole Chicken ( a family favorite)
- Quick Smoked Boneless Chicken Thighs when you need dinner in under 2 hours.
- Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends that disappear in minutes.
Fall-Off-The-Bone Smoked 3-2-1 Ribs
Ingredients
- 2 racks baby back ribs or St. Louis-style ribs (about 4 pounds)
- ¼ cup yellow mustard (for binding)
- 3¾ tablespoons homemade pork rub (ingredients below)
- 2 cups apple juice (or beer)
- ½ cup barbecue sauce (your favorite kind)
Pork Rub Ingredients
- 4 teaspoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prep the ribs: Place ribs on a baking sheet bone-side up. Use a butter knife to lift the edge of the membrane, then grab it with a paper towel and pull it completely off.2 racks baby back ribs or St. Louis-style ribs
- Apply binder: Coat all sides of the ribs with yellow mustard. Don't worry - you won't taste mustard in the final ribs.¼ cup yellow mustard
- Season: Mix all dry rub ingredients together. Apply generously to all surfaces of the ribs, patting gently to adhere. Get those sides too!4 teaspoons brown sugar, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Initial smoke (3 hours): Preheat your smoker to 225°F. Place seasoned ribs bone-side down directly on the grates. Close the lid and smoke undisturbed for 3 hours.
- Wrap phase (2 hours): Remove the ribs from the smoker. Place each rack on two large sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Pour 1 cup of apple juice beside each rack of ribs (not directly on top). Wrap tightly using the drugstore method: fold long edges together, roll down, then seal the ends. Double-wrap with another layer of foil.2 cups apple juice
- Continue cooking: Return wrapped ribs to the smoker bone-side down for 2 more hours. The internal temperature should reach around 195-200°F.
- Sauce and finish (1 hour): Carefully unwrap ribs (watch for hot steam!) and place them back on the grill grates. Brush barbecue sauce generously on both sides.½ cup barbecue sauce
- Final smoke: Continue cooking for up to 1 hour until sauce caramelizes. For competition-style texture with more bite, reduce this phase to 15-30 minutes. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
- Rest and serve: Remove the ribs from the smoker and let them rest for 10-15 minutes before cutting between bones to serve. Enjoy with extra sauce on the side!
Video
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Notes
- Always remove the membrane - this lets the smoke penetrate and prevents a chewy texture.
- Maintain a consistent 225°F temperature throughout the entire cook.
- Use heavy-duty foil and double-wrap to prevent leaks during the wrap phase.
- The ideal finished temperature is between 195-203°F. Ribs should bend easily but not fall apart when lifted.
Storage and Reheating
- Store leftover ribs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in a 250°F oven, covered with foil and a splash of water or apple juice, for about 20-30 minutes until warmed through.
- For freezing, wrap portions tightly in plastic wrap, then foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Oven Method No smoker? Follow the same prep, then bake unwrapped at 225°F for 3 hours. Complete the wrap phase in the oven for 2 hours, then unwrap, sauce, and finish under the broiler for 5-7 minutes until caramelized.
Nutrition
The provided nutrition information is automatically calculated. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
About Jeri Walker
Jeri Walker is the founder and CEO of Winding Creek Ranch. She is a self-taught home cook who specializes in easy family-friendly recipes. Jeri is also a food writer who regularly writes articles for MSN. Read about Jeri's journey and connect with her on your favorite social media channels!
James Kelly says
Used my own sauce but the cooking method worked perfectly, thank you! Just short of fall off the bone… excellent!
Jeri Walker says
I'm so glad it worked out for you! Thanks for taking the time to come back and leave a comment! 🙂
Anonymous says
Amy Liu Dong says
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Pat says
The recipe sounds great. Will the smoking times be similar if smoking only 1/2 rack of BB Ribs?
Jeri Walker says
Thank you! 🙂 Yes, the smoking time should be very similar if only using a half rack of ribs. However, depending on the thickness of your ribs, the time may vary, especially in the last hour after your brush on the sauce. Check the internal temp with a thermometer to make sure they don't overcook.