Spicy Smoked Ribs

Put a little kick in your Baby Back Ribs with these easy Spicy Smoked Ribs using the 3-2-1 method to achieve fall off the bone ribs on your Traeger! They start with a spicy dry rub are smoked and brushed with a spicy BBQ sauce. A delicious twist on ribs off your electric smoker.

Want a new twist on your smoked ribs? These spicy Smoked Ribs are what you need to put a delicious kick in your dinner! We use the 3 2 1 method of smoking them just like our original smoked ribs, but the spicy rib rub and BBQ sauce have a kick to them.

Pantry staples make a great combination for the rub and you can use your favorite store bought spicy BBQ sauce to make them nice and sticky, just the way we all love ’em! This really is the best smoked ribs recipe out there for spice lovers.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• The ribs are smoked using the 3-2-1 method so anyone can make these fall off the bone ribs and get perfect results every single time.
• They start with a spicy rub that’s mouth watering and are finished off with a sticky, spicy BBQ sauce to give them a kick!
• They are tender, delicious and a hit every time you make them.

Ingredients For Spicy Smoked Ribs

• Baby back ribs – This recipe will make two racks of ribs so you can easily feed a crowd. When you pick up ribs from a butcher, ask for the membrane to be removed so it is one less step for you during prep.
• Yellow mustard – Rub this all over the ribs to help adhere the seasonings for a super flavorful dish. If you aren’t a fan of mustard flavor, don’t worry, you won’t taste it.
• Spicy BBQ sauce – Use your favorite storebought BBQ sauce to coat the tender ribs. You can also make it homemade if you like.
• Apple juice – Mixed with water, apple juice helps to keep these ribs super moist throughout the long smoking process.
• Brown sugar – Mix this with the sauce for a delicious finishing sauce that will caramelize.
• Rub seasonings – Paprika, ground black pepper, dried chopped onion, olive oil, salt, garlic powder, cayenne, crushed red pepper, chili powder, instant coffee and dried molasses.

How To Make Spicy Smoked Ribs

Your first step should always be pulling off the membrane on the back of the ribs if there is one.

Skipping this step will result in less flavorful ribs and a tougher texture because the skin prevents the ribs from fully absorbing the smoke flavor.

Apply the yellow mustard all over the ribs.

Mix the rub ingredients in a small bowl. Spread the rub over the ribs covering them completely.

Wrap the ribs tightly in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator on baking sheets. Rest in the fridge for at least two hours but we recommend letting them rest overnight if possible.

Unwrap the ribs from the plastic wrap and place them bone side down, on the rack of your preheated smoker for three hours.

Mix together 1/2 cup apple juice and 1/2 cup water in a spray bottle and spritz ribs with mixture every half hour.

Remove ribs from smoker after 3 hours. Leave the smoker on at same temperature.

Lay tinfoil out on counter and lay the ribs on the foil.

Mix 1/2 cup BBQ sauce and 1/2 cup apple juice together in small bowl. Pour it carefully over the ribs and seal up the foil so nothing leaks out.

Place foil wrapped ribs back in the smoker for 2 hours.

Remove ribs from the smoker and remove foil after 2 hours.

Mix together BBQ sauce, and brown sugar for the finishing sauce in a mixing bowl. Coat ribs with finishing sauce and place back on the smoker for 1 hour.

Remove from smoker and brush with sauce again and serve.

You are going to love smoking and serving these sticky, spicy ribs. They fall off the bone and have just the right amount of heat for everyone to enjoy.

What Is The 3-2-1 Method?

Competition style barbecue specialists don’t approve of this method, but as home cooks, we love it. It produces fall off the bone tender ribs while competition style ribs will have more of a bite. They consider fall off the bone ribs to be overcooked.

Personally, we love the fall off the bone aspect!

Simply put, you smoke the ribs for 3 hours, wrap for 2 hours and then sauce and smoke for an additional hour.

Easy. Simple. Foolproof.

Storage And Reheating

Fridge: Store leftover ribs in an airtight container or zip top bag for up to 4 days.

Freezer: If you have way too many leftovers, you can definitely freeze them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Keep pieces separate with parchment paper. Allow to thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

To reheat spicy smoked ribs, place in the microwave until hot throughout. I bet the air fryer would do a delicious job reheating these, too.

How To Serve Spicy Smoked Ribs

In our house, we love adding a batch of Smoked Cheesy Potatoes to the meal plan any time we are using the smoker to cook a meal. A Smoked Baked Potato also goes really well along with these spicy smoked ribs. For a quick side veggie, an easy green salad or Broccoli Salad are some easy go-to options that our family enjoys.

Don’t forget dessert! Smoked Apple Pie is the perfect finished touch with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

More Great Ribs Recipes

• A classic sticky rib recipe to keep on hand with your tried and true dishes is our Smoked Ribs. Classic smoky flavors that everyone enjoys plus they are great practice for when you are ready to expand to new flavors.
• Once you’re a pro at the 3-2-1 method, give Honey Mustard Ribs a go. The sweet yet savory honey mustard sauce will be one you come back to time and time again.
• If you are looking for a little bit of a different flavor for your ribs, Honey Garlic Smoked Ribs are a great place to start. Smoky, sticky and sweet with the perfect amount of garlic, they are finger licking good!
• For a special weekend supper, you’ve got to fire up the smoker and make Beef Ribs. A dry rub really brings out the natural flavor of the beef that the whole family will go crazy for.