Rain or Shine it’s time for ribs. Not just any ribs. My husband’s Smoked Ribs. You’re in luck because I am sharing his special recipe with you. Cooked right, they will more than likely be the best smoked ribs you have ever eaten.
Not too long ago, someone gave my husband a rub that they thought was really good. We tried it and were taken back by how salty it was. It was so salty that we were not able to eat all of the ribs that we used it on.
The advantage of making your own rub for Smoked Ribs is that you control the quantity of the individual ingredients that go into the mix. If you or someone you love has hypertension, you can always cut back on the salt. My husband’s rub has only one tablespoon of salt = 7200 mg of sodium.
According to the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs): Tolerable Upper Intake Levels chart, for most people the maximum amount of sodium we should consume each day is 2300 mg. (Cooking Light has a good article about sodium if you would like to learn more.)
Now with the above information, you may think that there is too much sodium in the rub, but keep in mind that this rub will cover at least two slabs of ribs. Though they are fantastic, you really should not eat that much.
A quick look at other rubs, our recipe has at least half the sodium. Bobby Flay’s recipe calls for 2 tablespoons. A copycat recipe of Famous Dave’s Rib Rub calls for 1/4 cup of salt – that is 4 tablespoons. Are you surprised at how much sodium they have?
How To Smoke Ribs
To make these Smoked Ribs, be sure to let them soak in a citrus-y soda beforehand. We used Mountain Dew, but I imagine that any will work. Follow the recipe below for the rub and smoking directions.
The Best Smoked Rib Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 slabs pork ribs
- Mountain Dew
- 3/4 cups brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp. Paprika
- 1 Tbsp. black pepper
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 Tbsp. garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp. onion powder
- 1 Tbsp.+ 1 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 bottle of Sweet Baby Ray’s Original BBQ Sauce
- Wood chips
- Charcoal
Instructions
- Night Before: Remove membrane from underside of ribs. Soak ribs in Mountain Dew overnight in refrigerator. Soak wood chips in water.
- Day of Cooking: Combine spices and rub over ribs and let sit in refrigerator for a few hours.
- Heat coals in smoker. Once at ideal range, place ribs in smoker on top rack. (We placed chicken drumettes on bottom rack to get the most use out of the charcoal.)
- Smoke for approximately 4 hours. About three hours into smoking, generously apply Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce. Check to ensure that internal temperature of ribs is 165°.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1/2 slabAmount Per Serving:Calories: 826
What do you like to eat with ribs?
Here are some dessert recipes that pair well with smoked ribs:
- Homemade Banana Pudding
- Old Fashioned Tea Cakes
- Roasted White Peaches with Honeycomb and Vanilla Ice Cream
- Key Lime Pie
- Paula Deen’s Ooey Gooey Butter Cake (Clone)
- Small Batch Lemon Cupcakes
What a uniques idea that is to soak the ribs in something citrusy overnight! I LOVE IT! I’m definitely going to try this the next time I smoke ribs
Never smoked a thing before and son wanted ribs for rehearsal dinner at his wedding. So I found this recipe. Made just as directed except put in aluminum foil last hour with BBQ sauce, we had people asking if we were professional caterers said we’d win any rib contest around several people said. They were the best I’ve ever eaten. Given a choice this would be my 1st choice every time.
Thank you so much for stopping by to comment. This recipe is our go-to recipe for ribs and we love them, too. I am so glad that your guests were impressed and that they turned out great for your son’s rehearsal dinner. 🙂
Love ribs! Those look so good!
They were. Had a little bit of a kick to them, too!
Mt. Dew? No way! Gotta try this.
Yum! I love me some ribs, but my hubby, he’s silly. He won’t eat meat off a bone!
I’m terrible in the kitchen and am too intimidated to try and do ribs myself.
I can almost smell them!
We love Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue, but I would never think to use Mountain Dew on ribs. Sounds like an awesome recipe!
Those sound so good!
Looks very tasty!
We just got a traeger and I am loving ribs off that machine. Thanks for the rip rub recipe.
We love Country Style cut ribs — so much thicker and meatier. Great for grilling. Thanks for sharing your rub recipe!
mmmmm, I love ribs! These look great.
BBQ ribs are the best! I need to make them more often.
We’ve only grilled ribs once, I can’t say they turned out so great either – I may try this recipe though and just make them in the oven/crock – the Mtn. Dew would totally have my daughter eating them, just because it’s Mtn. Dew, LOL!
I have never cooked ribs – but these make me want to!
I honestly do not know how to cook beef or pork. No clue as I don’t eat it. My oldest would like off wings and ribs if he could.
these look and sound delicious. Tomorrow were headed to the RIB fest I can’t wait to dig right in
Thanks so much for sharing the special recipe with us. My husband cooks his ribs low and slow and then finishes them on the grill. They’re one of the best things he makes!
Mmm, I haven’t had ribs in forever!
Those look great. My mom makes some of the best ribs and they are great for cook-outs.
Oh my goodness, that is the perfect 4th of July meal.
Mmmm, I love ribs!
I haven’t made ribs yet this year. I barely eat any, so make them when someone who loves them is coming by.
I am not a fan of ribs but my kids LOVE love love them
I am surprised how much sodium is in the rubs.
Yours looks great!
I don’t eat meat, but that looks amazing, nonetheless!
Oh my gosh I LOVE ribs! Thanks for sharing his recipe.
Those look amazing! Never tried ribs on my own, but this sounds like a good recipe to start with. I never would have thought to use Mountain Dew as a marinade.
Looks amazing!
Never smoked ribs at home, but love BBQ’d ribs! Yummy! I hope you have a great July 4th!
They look good enough to eat. 🙂 Can’t wait to try it. Thanks for the post.
my husband smokes almost every weekend and makes some of the BEST ribs ever.
Thanks for the recipe, Ribs are always a great choice for the 4th!
I’m jealous! I love ribs and most smoke meats but I can’t smoke. The last time I tried I set our deck on FIRE! So I have been banned from trying :(. I guess I’ll have to dream of smoked ribs and try the rub on something baked. Thanks for sharing the wonderful rub recipe.