Pork Recipe Ideas is an Amazon Associate and may receive compensation for purchases made through affiliate links.
Serve up mouthwatering 3-2-1 Ribs with my easy, ultra-flavorful recipe! Smoked to fall-off-the-bone perfection and slathered in tangy Carolina BBQ sauce, this recipe will be a BBQ favorite after the very first bite!
Jump to:
321 Ribs
If you've ever used a smoker, you may have heard of the 3-2-1 ribs method for smoked pork ribs! It's the first way I ever learned how to smoke ribs, and I can confirm: it's a classic for a reason. Full of incredible flavor and cooked until the meat falls right off the bone, it's a foolproof method for perfect smoked ribs!
And the best part is, the method is right in the name! Cooked for three hours in the smoker, two hours wrapped in foil, and one more hour unwrapped and smoked, it's clear, concise, and works every time! Paired with an incredible vinegar-based BBQ sauce like you'd find in a Carolina BBQ restaurant, you won't want to miss out.
Looking for ribs with a little more tooth to them? Never fear! I've included instructions for how to cook the ribs to have a little more chew for those who prefer it. Remember: the best way to smoke ribs is the way you love them!
Smoked Ribs Ingredients
- Baby back ribs
- Carolina BBQ Sauce
- Apple cider vinegar
- Coarse salt, like kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
You can also use a 1:1 mixture of apple cider vinegar and apple juice for the ribs spritz.
Carolina BBQ Sauce ingredients
- Apple cider vinegar
- Brown sugar
- Ketchup
- Hot sauce
- Crushed red pepper
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
- Salt
If you prefer Carolina mustard barbecue sauce, you can add three-fourths to 1 full cup of yellow mustard to this mixture.
How to Smoke Ribs
- Preheat the smoker to 225°F, and prepare a spray bottle of apple cider vinegar. While the smoker heats, grip the corner of the silver membrane on the back of the rack of ribs, and peel them off. Season, starting with salt.
- Place the ribs in the smoker bone side of the ribs down, and let them smoke for 3 hours, spritzing the ribs with apple cider vinegar every hour to keep them moist.
- Remove from the smoker, and wrap the ribs tightly in aluminum foil before placing back in the smoker (or in the oven at 225°F). Let cook another 2 hours, without spritzing.
- While the ribs cook, prepare the BBQ sauce. Place the brown sugar and vinegar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring until dissolved.
- Add the rest of the sauce ingredients and stir, then reduce to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Then remove from the heat until the ribs are ready.
- After the additional 2 hours, remove the foil wrap and brush the ribs in homemade BBQ sauce. Cook one more hour in the smoker, uncovered.
- Remove from the smoker, coat with another layer of BBQ, and rest for 5 minutes. Then slice between the bones with a sharp knife and enjoy!
This recipe will cook the meat until it falls off the bone. For meat that clings to the bone, lower the wrapped cooking time to 1 hour, and the second smoke time to 20 minutes.
How Long to Smoke Ribs
If you've smoked pork before, you might have seen some divisive opinions about how long to smoke pork ribs! Many home cooks prefer the 3-2-1 method to produce fall-off-the-bone pork ribs, but there are plenty of experienced BBQ cooks who suggest a shorter cooking time.
There is no wrong choice! I've included the instructions for a lower cook time, so you should try both, and decide what you like the best.
3-2-1 Smoked Ribs Tips
- I use a pellet grill for smoking ribs, but you can also use an electric smoker.
- I like using hickory pellets, but any fruit wood pellet, such as cherry wood, would be delicious with these ribs. Fruit wood pellets are the perfect type of wood for smoking ribs. Pecan wood is a great choice as well.
- To save on pellets, feel free to use the oven for the wrapped portion of the cook time! Heat it to 225°F and just finish the ribs off in the smoker for the last unwrapped hour of cook time.
- Wrap the ribs nice and tight- this is an important part of ensuring the right flavor and tenderness.
- Don't worry if the BBQ seems thin. Carolina BBQ is a thin and tangy sauce not meant to stick like Texas BBQ.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can also freeze and store them in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Smoking Ribs 321 FAQ
The 3-2-1 method is an easy way to know the cooking time for smoked ribs! It's named after each part of the cook time: 3 hours in the smoker, 2 hours wrapped, and 1 additional hour of smoking afterwards. With the cooking times in the name, it's easy to remember and super beginner friendly.
Always smoke ribs at 225°F! The low temperature is ideal for pork, as it turns out best when cooked low and slow, letting the tough tissues break down in the meat. Higher temperatures run the risk of overcooking the meat and making it tough and dry.
There are many ways to smoke ribs, and no single perfect way. In my opinion, 3-2-1 is the best method for fall-off-the-bone ribs, which is how my family prefers them! But if you're cooking up ribs for a crowd that prefers a little more chew, then follow my alternative cooking time. The best way to smoke ribs is the way you like them most!
The difference between 3-2-1 ribs and 2-2-1 ribs is entirely up to personal preference! 3-2-1 will make for extremely soft, tender meat that falls clean off the bone. 2-2-1 smokes the ribs for one less hour, meaning that the meat will be less cooked and therefor cling to the bones, giving it more chew. The way you cook them is up to what you prefer!
Smoked Recipes
And of course, try out some of my delicious Side Dishes for BBQ to finish out your delicious rib dinner! I promise you're going to love them!
Did you enjoy this recipe? Try more of my best pork recipes, and leave a comment and rating below! We love to hear from you.
Save the Pin! 📍
Did you enjoy this recipe? Share it on Pinterest!📖 Recipe
3-2-1 Ribs
Equipment
- Smoker
Ingredients
Ribs Ingredients
- 1 rack Baby back ribs
- Carolina BBQ sauce
- Apple cider vinegar for spritzing
- 2 Tablespoons Coarse salt
- 2 Tablespoons Black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons Garlic powder
BBQ Sauce Ingredients
- 2 cups Apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Ketchup
- 1 Tablespoons Hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon Crushed red pepper
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Preheat the smoker to 225°F, and prepare a spray bottle of apple cider vinegar. While the smoker heats, grip the corner of the silver membrane on the back of the ribs, and peel them off. Season, starting with salt.1 rack Baby back ribs, 2 Tablespoons Coarse salt, 2 Tablespoons Black pepper, 2 Tablespoons Garlic powder
- Place the ribs in the smoker and let them smoke for 3 hours, spritzing the ribs with apple cider vinegar every hour to keep them moist.Apple cider vinegar
- Remove from the smoker, and wrap the ribs tightly in foil before placing back in the smoker (or in the oven at 225°F). Let cook another 2 hours, without spritzing.
- While the ribs cook, prepare the BBQ sauce. Place the brown sugar and vinegar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring until dissolved.2 cups Apple cider vinegar, 2 Tablespoons Brown sugar, 2 Tablespoons Ketchup, 1 Tablespoons Hot sauce, 1 teaspoon Crushed red pepper, 1 teaspoon Garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Black pepper, ½ teaspoon Salt
- Add the rest of the sauce ingredients and stir, then reduce to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Then remove from the heat until the ribs are ready.
- After the additional 2 hours, remove the foil wrap and coat the ribs in homemade BBQ sauce. Cook one more hour in the smoker, uncovered.Carolina BBQ sauce
- Remove from the smoker, coat with another layer of BBQ, and rest for 5 minutes. Then slice between the bones with a sharp knife and enjoy!
Notes
- I like using hickory pellets, but any fruit wood pellet would be delicious with these ribs.
- To save on pellets, feel free to use the oven for the wrapped portion of the cook time! Heat it to 225°F and just finish the ribs off in the smoker for the last unwrapped hour of cook time.
- Wrap the ribs nice and tight- this is an important part of ensuring the right flavor and tenderness.
- Don't worry if the BBQ seems thin. Carolina BBQ is a thin and tangy sauce not meant to stick like Texas BBQ.
- This recipe will cook the meat until it falls off the bone. For meat that clings to the bone, lower the wrapped cooking time to 1 hour, and the second smoke time to 20 minutes.
Nutrition
» About Me
- Korean Meatballs - September 28, 2023
- Pork Carnitas Recipe - September 21, 2023
- Pork Tenderloin Recipes - September 14, 2023
Comments
No Comments