The Best Beef Rib (Back Ribs) Recipe

With Thanksgiving only a few months away, there’s no better time to brush up on your dinner party game. A mouthwatering prime rib roast or something similar with a simple dry rub may just be all you need to impress your guests at your next backyard cookout. In this article, we share the best beef rib (back ribs) recipe which uses a rack of pork ribs rather than beef short ribs for more flavor even when there’s little meat. 

Why You’ll Love This Beef Rib Recipe

This recipe calls for smoking your ribs at a low temperature to add the rich, smoky flavor that we all love while enhancing the meat’s natural taste. The combo between the seasoning and the wood smoke results in a depth of flavor that’s hard to resist and a sure winner! It also results in meat that is so tender and juicy — this is because the low heat breaks down fat and connective tissue over a long time.  

You’ll also love the fact that this is a relatively easy recipe that produces a wonderful beefy flavor. Whether this is your first time smoking or you’re a veteran BBQ pitmaster, these tasty ribs will come out flavorful and tender every single time. So what are you waiting for? Fire up your pellet grill or smoker and start ticking these off from your BBQ bucket list!  

What are Beef Back Ribs?

Also known as back ribs or beef rib back ribs, beef back ribs are cuts of beef taken from the upper portion of a cow’s ribcage, specifically from the back of the ribs that are closest to the spine. This is different from dino ribs and beef short ribs which come from the lower half of the ribcage, they’re also closer to the loin and come with less meat attached to the bones. This cut of beef can be easily found in your local grocery store.

Both cuts of meat deliver a rich flavor and produce tender meat when cooked well. They are often used in smoking and barbecue recipes because of their ability to absorb seasoning and smoke. These can also be used for grilling, slow cooking, and baking for flavorful and tender results. 

Best Beef Rib (Back Ribs) Recipe

Below are quick and easy instructions on achieving perfectly cooked ribs that are sticky, smokey, and fall-off-the-bone tender. 

Ingredients

• 3 to 4-pound Bone-in beef back ribs
• Your favorite dry rub or soul food seasoning
• Barbecue sauce 
• Worcestershire sauce
• Pickled onions, pickles, and bread for serving
• Oak or hickory wood for smoking 

Instructions 

1. The first thing you need to do is fire up your grill or smoker and set up an area with indirect heat to 250°F.  
2. Your beef back ribs should be at room temperature; be sure to pat your back ribs dry using paper towels. 
3. Slather your ribs with Worcestershire sauce and sprinkle on your favorite dry rub or soul food seasoning.
4. Sprinkle some seasoning evenly on both sides of your ribs, coating them well. 
5. Place your seasoned ribs into your smoker and close the lid. Leave them on for around 3 hours or until your ribs are tender and reach a temperature between 165°F to 170°F inside. 
6. Next, wrap your ribs in aluminum foil and place them back inside your smoker for an additional 30 minutes up to an hour. The perfect temperature to aim for is between 200°F to 202°F.
7. Now it’s time to unwrap your ribs carefully and pour on your favorite BBQ sauce. 
8. Put them back inside the smoker for the last 10 minutes to allow your barbecue sauce to set.   
9. Remove your back ribs from your smoker and allow them to rest for 5 to 10 minutes on a prepared baking sheet to give it time to lock in the juicy flavors.
10.  Now it’s time to plate your BBQ beef ribs with some pickled onions, pickles, and a few slices of bread to enjoy.  

Recipe Variations

Some people will only use salt and pepper on their beef back ribs since they’re basted with BBQ sauce in the end. However, there are many ways to cook this recipe, and we’re more than happy to share ways in which you can cook this gorgeous cut of beef. 

• Some people will use a combination of kosher salt, black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder to use as their seasoning. Make sure to coat your rack of ribs from end to end, including the sides of the ribs using a medium coating. 
• Other people will use other spices such as cumin, paprika, chili powder, oregano, and cayenne pepper. 
• Remember that BBQ sauce can have a strong and overpowering flavor which may dilute the spices, so be mindful of how much you use. 

How Will I Know When My Ribs are Done?

You’ll know that your ribs are done cooking once they’re covered in a rich bark that comes in a mahogany color. As your ribs cook, their meat will start to come apart from the bones ever so slightly, which is another sign that they will be done soon. You will also be able to tell that they’re done through their internal temperature which should give you a pretty good indication of their doneness. 

When you’re cooking with beef rib back ribs, you’ll want to aim for an internal temperature between 200°F to 205°F. 

Conclusion 

Any certified meat lover will fall head over heels for these juicy ribs just for their smokey and rich flavor. But you’ll also find that they’re also extremely tender that they’ll fall off the bone and melt in your mouth, which is perfect for the upcoming holiday seasons. Whether you’re hosting an intimate dinner party with a few of your closest friends, or inviting the whole family over for a full-blown backyard barbecue, this beef rib back ribs recipe is the only thing you need to keep everyone satisfied! 

Sources 

• cookswithsoul.com
• eatsimplefood.com
• girlscangrill.com