First successful spare rib smoke

[meatball]

Well, the truth is that I've smoked spare ribs in the past and never have they come out the way I've wanted them too. They either come out too tough, too undercooked, too...you name it, it's happened to my ribs.

In the interest of getting back on the horse and never giving up, and after seeing and reading into so many successful rib smokes on this website, I finally got it right and they were fall off the bone good! So tender, juicy and delicious!

Unfortunately, I only made one rack because me and the three-year-old are the only ones who really dig ribs. Threw in some ABTs to round out the smoke though.

The spares trimmed and rubbed with a basic rib rub from Cookshack...



Smoked them in a mix of red oak and hickory - my first time mixing woods and it was a nice flavor. Here are the finished ribs, the pieces in the foil were the extras that I trimmed off...



I ate about half my ribs dry and the other half with my homemade sauce, which is a tangy, vinegary sauce. Next time I'm going to try dousing them with SoFlaQuers finishing sauce - I think that would be great! The three-year-old likes her ribs dry, says my sauce is too spicy (it has a little cayenne in it, but not too much)...

Ribs, ABTs, a cubanelle with sauteed onion, bacon and cheese, and some fresh corn...



Thanks for checking out the meal and thanks to everyone who has posted their rib adventures here - it helped me make my dream ribs!

 

[gnubee]

Nice looking ribs. Congrats on sticking in there and getting it right. Perhaps the others who " don't like ribs " just need a taste of ribs done right.

Or perhaps its best to keep them under your hat so to speak because once they get a taste of really good ribs they will flock to your smoker next time its starts up with the thin blue.

 

[shellbellc]

Good lookin ribs! Now did those non-ribbers want to delve in? I would think they couldn't resist!!

 

[pineywoods]

Congrats those look great nice job

 

[billbo]

Way to stick to your guns Meatball! Great pull back on them bones. Can you post or PM me your sauce recipe? I love tangy sauces!

 

[creative rock]

Congrats on the fine looking ribs Meatball... I am glad you stuck with it so you to can experience the way ribs are meant to be.

Good luck in your future adventures into the TBS
Matt
aka Rocky

 

[albeesmokin]

Those look great. I am a complete newbi when it comes to smoking and was torn between the electric and the charcoal. I chose charcoal, and smoked my 1st ribs this weekend. Turned out pretty good. I may end up getting an electric for longer/24hr smoking adventures.

How long did you let these smoke and what temp?

I went to a local bbq joint here in Tyler on Friday for lunch whom has "won awards" and smoked my own.. and your ribs look better..

BTW-share that Sauce recipe..sounds good.

 

[geek with fire]

Agree with Shelly. It's also good to note that non-rib eaters place all ribs in the same basket. I've found in my family that those who don't like ribs, actually don't like babybacks. Cook them some spares and you will convert them for life.

Well done.

 

[beer-b-q]

Great Looking Ribs Meatball!!!

 

[irishteabear]

Nice! Glad they turned out well for you.

 

[grothe]

Congrats Meatball....takes a few racks to get em just the way ya like em....Nice job!!

 

[fired up]

Those look tasty!

 

[meatball]

I used the 3-2-1 method, so 6 hours at 225*.

Here is the sauce recipe, no big secret:

1 cup ketchup
3/4 cup white vinegar
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp onion powder
2 tbsp worcesteshire
2 tbsp mustard (I use yellow mustard)
1/8-1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
salt & black pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients and simmer for five minutes or so until it's mixed well.

I guess I should have specified... My wife likes ribs, but has enough will power to stick to a diet - she did have a taste and loved them and said she will request them when she's ready for a day off from dieting. My five-year-old is a little more picky, but she always comes around eventually, so I'm sure she will soon

 

[billbo]

That is so wrong!

 

[the dude abides]

Kudos Meatball. Those ribs look perfect. Glad they finally got to where you wanted them to be.