Go Back
perfectly smoked st louis style ribs

Ultimate Smoked St. Louis Style Ribs with Perfect BBQ Glaze

Tender, fall-off-the-bone St. Louis style ribs using traditional 3-phase smoking method with perfect caramelized glaze
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • - 2 racks St. Louis style spare ribs 2.5-3 lbs each
  • - 1/4 cup pork dry rub your favorite blend
  • - Wood chunks or chips apple cherry, or hickory
  • - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • - 1/4 cup BBQ sauce for braising
  • - Heavy-duty aluminum foil
  • - 1/2 cup BBQ sauce for glazing
  • - 2 tablespoons honey optional for extra shine

Method
 

  1. Remove membrane from ribs and pat dry. Season generously with dry rub and rest 30-60 minutes.
  2. Preheat smoker to 225°F with wood chunks. Smoke ribs bone-side down for 4 hours.
  3. Wrap ribs in foil with butter and BBQ sauce. Continue cooking 1.5 hours.
  4. Unwrap ribs, brush with fresh BBQ sauce, and cook uncovered 20 minutes.
  5. Test for doneness using bend test. Rest 10-15 minutes before slicing.
  6. Cut between bones and serve with traditional BBQ sides.

Notes

- Internal temperature should reach 195-203°F for optimal tenderness
- Use bend test to check doneness - ribs should crack slightly when lifted
- Add wood chunks only during first 3 hours to prevent over-smoking

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!