Name: Spicy Smoked Ribs
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 360 min
Total time: 500 min
Ingredients: 2 racks Baby Back Ribs; 4 Tbsp yellow mustard; 1 c. Spicy BBQ Sauce (divided); 1 c. apple juice; ½ c. Paprika; ½ c. Brown Sugar; ¼ c. Black Pepper; 3 Tbsp Dried Chopped Onion; 2 Tbsp Olive Oil; 2 Tbsp Salt; 2 Tbsp Garlic Powder; 2 tsp Cayenne; 2 tsp Crushed Red Pepper; 2 tsp Chili Powder; 1 tsp Instant Coffee; 1 tsp Dried Molasses

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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.

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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 rub is spicy and the BBQ sauce is spicy so they will have a kick to them.

Why This Recipe Works

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 spicy BBQ sauce to give them a kick!
They are tender, delicious and a hit every time you make them.

Don’t miss out on our other rib flavors including Honey Mustard and Honey Garlic Smoked Ribs.

What is the 3 2 1 Method?

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

That’s it!

Easy. Simple. Foolproof.

Remove the Membrane

Whenever you make ribs always make sure your first step is pulling off the membrane on the back of the ribs. Just pull off the silver skin.

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

Two racks of baby rack ribs on cutting board

Prep the Ribs

After you have removed the membrane you are going to take and apply the yellow mustard all over the ribs. If you don’t like mustard no worries, this just helps the rub stick to the ribs. You won’t taste it.

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

After that wrap the ribs in saran wrap and place in the refrigerator on a baking sheets. We recommend letting them rest overnight, but just make sure it’s at least two hours.

First 3 Hours

Now it’s time to start smoking the ribs. Prepare your smoker according to manufacture’s directions to a heat of 225 F degrees. We use apple wood chips when making these ribs, but you can use your favorite flavor.

When the smoked is preheated place the ribs, bone side down, on the rack and smoke for three hours.

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

Next 2 Hours

After 3 hours remove ribs from smoker but leave smoke on at same temperature.

Lay tinfoil out on counter (enough to wrap ribs in) and lay the ribs on the foil.

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

Place ribs back in the smoker at 225 degrees F for 2 hours

Basting brush applying bbq sauce to ribs

Last Hour

After 2 hours has passed remove the ribs from the smoker. Remove the ribs from foil.

Mix together BBQ sauce, honey 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!

That’s it! You have fall off the bone tender, perfect and tasty Spicy Smoked Baby Back Ribs to serve for dinner.

Make it a Meal

Make a batch of Smoked Cheesy Potatoes to serve beside your Spicy Smoked Ribs!
Maybe you prefer a Smoked Baked Potato along side the ribs?
Don’t forget dessert! Smoked Apple Pie is the perfect finished touch.

Don’t forget, comment below and let me know how much you love this sweet treat! Post a picture on Instagram and be sure to tag me so I can see it too!

I’m loving all of your delicious foodie pics! You can find me at @gimmesomegrilling or just #gimmesomegrilling – if you hashtag me, I’ll get to see it that way too!