Hey there, BBQ lovers! If you’re looking for a dish that is sure to impress your friends and family, then you’ve come to the right place. Today, we’re going to be making honey BBQ smoked St. Louis style ribs, a classic and beloved dish that is perfect for any occasion, from backyard BBQs to family dinners.
The best part about making honey BBQ smoked St. Louis style ribs is the smoking process. This involves cooking the ribs low and slow over a wood fire, which infuses the meat with a rich and smoky flavor that cannot be replicated using other cooking methods. The wood you use for smoking is also crucial as it adds a unique flavor and aroma to the meat. Hickory is a popular choice for smoking ribs as it provides a strong and smoky flavor that complements the sweetness of the seasoning and the sauce.
But, before we get into the smoking process, let’s talk about the cut of ribs we’re going to be using: St. Louis style. This is a particular cut of pork ribs that has been trimmed of excess fat and cartilage to create a uniform rectangular shape. This cut of ribs is perfect for smoking as it has a high meat-to-bone ratio, making it easy to handle and cook evenly.
Now, let’s talk about the seasoning and sauce, which are essential components of this dish. The seasoning is a blend of sweet spices that are used to create a flavorful crust on the outside of the meat. You can use your favorite sweet seasoning or experiment with different blends to find the perfect match for your taste buds. The honey BBQ sauce is a sweet and tangy sauce that is used to glaze the ribs during the smoking process. The sauce is easy to make and can be adjusted to suit your taste preferences by adding more or less of each ingredient.
To make honey BBQ smoked St. Louis style ribs, you will need a smoker, wood chips, and a few simple ingredients. The process involves removing the membrane on the back of the ribs, applying a binder or cooking oil, seasoning the ribs, smoking them for a few hours, wrapping them in foil, and applying the honey BBQ sauce. The result is a mouthwatering and satisfying dish that will impress your family and friends.
So, if you’re ready to get started, let’s fire up that smoker and get ready to make some delicious honey BBQ smoked St. Louis style ribs that are sure to be a hit at your next BBQ or family gathering.
Honey BBQ Smoked St. Louis Style Ribs
Ingredients
- 3 racks of St. Louis style cut ribs
Seasoning
- Your favorite sweet seasoning
- Honey bbq sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp mustard
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 cup honey
Spritz
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup apple juice
Instructions
- Preheat the smoker to 275 degrees F: Preheating the smoker is essential to ensure that it is at the right temperature when you start cooking the ribs. This will help you achieve the best results by cooking the ribs evenly and keeping them moist and flavorful.
- Remove the membrane on the back of the ribs using a paper towel: Removing the membrane will help the seasoning penetrate the meat evenly, resulting in a more flavorful and tender rib. This can be done easily by inserting a butter knife under the membrane and using a paper towel to grip and pull it off.
- Apply mustard as a binder or cooking oil: Applying mustard as a binder will help the seasoning adhere to the meat and create a flavorful crust. Alternatively, you can use cooking oil to achieve the same effect. Make sure to apply the binder evenly to all sides of the ribs.
- Season the ribs with your favorite sweet seasoning: Adding seasoning to the ribs is essential to create the desired flavor profile. You can use your favorite sweet seasoning or experiment with different blends to find the perfect match for your taste buds.
- Place the seasoned ribs in the smoker and add hickory wood for smoke flavor: Hickory wood is a popular choice for smoking ribs as it provides a strong and smoky flavor that complements the sweetness of the seasoning. Make sure to position the ribs in the smoker so that they are not touching each other and there is enough space for the smoke to circulate around them.
- Smoke the ribs unwrapped for 2.5 hours: Smoking the ribs unwrapped for the first 2.5 hours will help them develop a smoky flavor and create a crust on the outside. Make sure to maintain a consistent temperature and add wood chips as needed to keep the smoke level steady.
- After 2 hours, spritz the ribs with a mixture of 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and 1/4 cup apple juice to keep the meat moist: Spritzing the ribs with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and apple juice will help keep them moist and prevent them from drying out during the smoking process. Make sure to spritz them evenly and quickly to avoid losing too much heat and smoke from the smoker.
- Tightly wrap the ribs in foil and place them back in the smoker for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until they feel tender: Wrapping the ribs in foil will help them retain moisture and cook more evenly. This will also help them to become more tender and juicy. Make sure to wrap them tightly and seal the edges to prevent any steam from escaping.
- While the ribs are in foil, make the honey BBQ sauce by combining 1/2 cup ketchup, 1 tbsp mustard, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/4 cup honey in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir the ingredients for 5 minutes until they are well combined: The honey BBQ sauce is the perfect complement to the sweetness and smokiness of the ribs. It's easy to make and can be adjusted to suit your taste preferences by adding more or less of each ingredient.
- Once the ribs are tender, unwrap them and apply the honey BBQ sauce generously. Place them back in the smoker for an additional 10 minutes, until the glaze sets: Applying the honey BBQ sauce generously to the ribs will add flavor and moisture to the meat. Make sure to cover all sides of the ribs evenly with the sauce. Place the ribs back in the smoker for an additional 10 minutes to allow the glaze to set and become sticky.
- Remove the ribs from the smoker and let them rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving: Letting the ribs rest for a few minutes before slicing them will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat and make them more tender and flavorful. Use a sharp knife to cut the ribs into portions and serve them with your favorite sides, such as baked beans, coleslaw, or cornbread.
Thanks for checking out the recipe!
Leftover honey BBQ smoked St. Louis style ribs can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, making them a great option for meal prep or leftovers. When reheating, it’s best to use the oven at 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.
If you want to experiment with alternative ingredients or flavors, there are several options you can try. For the ribs, you can substitute St. Louis style ribs with baby back ribs or spare ribs, depending on your preference. Baby back ribs tend to be leaner and more tender, while spare ribs have more fat and a stronger flavor. You can also try using different wood varieties to smoke the ribs, such as mesquite, oak, or cherry wood, to create different flavors and aromas.
For the honey BBQ sauce, you can adjust the sweetness and acidity by using different ingredients. Instead of ketchup, you can use tomato sauce or tomato paste, which will create a more savory and rich flavor. You can also substitute the apple cider vinegar with other types of vinegar, such as red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar, for a more tangy flavor. To add more complexity to the sauce, you can add Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, or hot sauce, depending on your preference.
Finally, if you want to experiment with different cooking techniques or equipment, there are several options you can explore. For example, you can try smoking the ribs using a pellet smoker, which uses wood pellets and a digital controller to maintain a consistent temperature and smoke level. You can also try grilling the ribs over direct heat or using a charcoal grill to create a charred and smoky flavor.
By following these tips and experimenting with different ingredients and techniques, you can create unique and delicious honey BBQ smoked St. Louis style ribs that are tailored to your taste preferences. Whether you’re hosting a BBQ party or cooking for your family, these ribs are sure to impress and satisfy. Enjoy!
