You don’t have to drive to the Carolinas or Memphis to enjoy the best Smoked Ribs. This recipe will allow you to make them wherever you are. The rib rub has some serious sweet heat – so be sure to have your favorite beverage nearby when you eat them.
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.
Why You Should Make Your Own Rib Rub
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 two slabs of ribs by yourself.
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 ¼ cup of salt – that is 4 tablespoons. Are you surprised at how much sodium they have?
🥘 Ingredients
To make the best ribs at home, you need the following:
- 4 slabs of pork ribs
- Mountain Dew
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Paprika
- 1 Tablespoon black pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon onion powder
- 1 Tablespoon + 1 ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 bottle of Sweet Baby Ray’s Original BBQ Sauce
- Wood chips
- Charcoal
🔪 Instructions
To make these smoked pork ribs, you actually get started the day/night before.
The night before you plan on smoking, the first step that you need to do is to remove the thin membrane (it looks like silver skin) from the underside of the ribs. Soak the ribs in Mountain Dew overnight in the refrigerator in a large container. (I buy JUMBO ZipLock bags to do this.) Soak wood chips in water.
Though you can make the dry rub the day that you smoke the ribs, I recommend that you go ahead and prepare it the night before. It’s one more way to help ensure that you have all of your ingredients.
The Day of Cooking: Drain the Mountain Dew from the ribs. Combine the spices and rub over the ribs and let them sit in the refrigerator for a few hours.
Heat coals in the smoker. Once it is at the ideal range, place the ribs in the smoker on the top rack. (We place chicken drumettes on the bottom rack to get the most use out of the charcoal.)
Smoke the ribs for approximately 4 hours. During the last half hour, generously apply Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce. Check to ensure that the internal temperature reaches 165° Fahrenheit.
When the ribs have finished cooking, remove them and let them cool for about 10 minutes before cutting. We like to place the ribs on a rimmed baking sheet to make transporting them from the smoker to the kitchen easier. It also helps contain the barbecue sauce and minimize the mess.
Here are some dessert recipes that pair well with these sweet ribs:
- Homemade Banana Pudding
- Old Fashioned Tea Cakes
- Key Lime Pie
- Paula Deen’s Ooey Gooey Butter Cake (Clone)
- Small Batch Lemon Cupcakes
📖 Recipe
The Best Smoked Rib Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 slabs pork ribs
- Mountain Dew
- ¾ cups brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Paprika
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon onion powder
- 1 Tablespoon cayenne pepper + 1 ½ teaspoon
- 1 bottle 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: Drain the Mountain Dew from the ribs. 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. During the last half hour, generously apply Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce. Check to ensure that the internal temperature of ribs is 165° Fahrenheit before removing from the smoker.
Video
Nutrition
Be sure to come back and tell us how your ribs turned out!
Jeffery Weathersby says
I have a recipe with any Clear soda(lemon-lime). I will try the brown-suger & sauce Thanks!!!It’s already a 7Up Recipe Out there!
Nick says
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
Abertolotto says
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.
Lynda says
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. 🙂
patti says
Love ribs! Those look so good!
Lynda says
They were. Had a little bit of a kick to them, too!
Jenn says
Mt. Dew? No way! Gotta try this.
Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy.com says
Yum! I love me some ribs, but my hubby, he’s silly. He won’t eat meat off a bone!
Leilani says
I’m terrible in the kitchen and am too intimidated to try and do ribs myself.
Elaina- @atimeout4mommy says
I can almost smell them!
Tiff @ Babes and Kids says
We love Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue, but I would never think to use Mountain Dew on ribs. Sounds like an awesome recipe!
Shell Feis says
Those sound so good!
Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins says
Looks very tasty!
Kelly @ A Girl Worth Saving says
We just got a traeger and I am loving ribs off that machine. Thanks for the rip rub recipe.
Rachel @ Following In My Shoes says
We love Country Style cut ribs — so much thicker and meatier. Great for grilling. Thanks for sharing your rub recipe!
Sheri says
mmmmm, I love ribs! These look great.
Stefanie says
BBQ ribs are the best! I need to make them more often.
Tammy says
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!
Emily @FamilyNLifeLV says
I have never cooked ribs – but these make me want to!
Jennifer The Quirky Momma says
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.
Night owl mama says
these look and sound delicious. Tomorrow were headed to the RIB fest I can’t wait to dig right in
Marcie W. says
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!
Anne - Mommy Has to Work says
Mmm, I haven’t had ribs in forever!
Colleen says
Those look great. My mom makes some of the best ribs and they are great for cook-outs.
Kathleen says
Oh my goodness, that is the perfect 4th of July meal.
Becca @ Mama B says
Mmmm, I love ribs!
Robin {Mom Foodie} says
I haven’t made ribs yet this year. I barely eat any, so make them when someone who loves them is coming by.
Jennifer says
I am not a fan of ribs but my kids LOVE love love them
Lolo says
I am surprised how much sodium is in the rubs.
Yours looks great!
HilLesha @To the Motherhood says
I don’t eat meat, but that looks amazing, nonetheless!
Jenn- The Rebel Chick says
Oh my gosh I LOVE ribs! Thanks for sharing his recipe.
Camille says
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.
Lisa says
Looks amazing!
Donna says
Never smoked ribs at home, but love BBQ’d ribs! Yummy! I hope you have a great July 4th!
andy says
They look good enough to eat. 🙂 Can’t wait to try it. Thanks for the post.
Maryann says
my husband smokes almost every weekend and makes some of the BEST ribs ever.
Mellisa says
Thanks for the recipe, Ribs are always a great choice for the 4th!
Katy says
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.