Recipes for ribs smoking seem to cover charcoal and gas smokers mostly. We will therefore show you how to smoke ribs in an electric smoker that are – delicious, juicy, and fall-off-the-bone tender!
With electric smokers, beginners can get into BBQ smoking without hassle and mess. Here is how you can smoke the best barbecue ribs in your backyard using a Masterbuilt Electric Smoker.
Recipe of Smoking Ribs in an Electric Smoker
3-2-1 smoking is one of the most popular methods for making smoky, fall-off-the-bone ribs in an Electric Smoker.
Find out how to smoke ribs using the 3-2-1 Ribs Electric Smoker Recipe!
Ingredients
- Two Racks of Ribs
- Four tablespoons of Yellow Mustard
- Dry rub for one batch of Ribs
- The half cup of bbq sauce divided
- One cup apple juice divided
Finishing Sauce
- One Cup bbq sauce
- Honey, one and a half tablespoons
- Brown sugar, one and a half tablespoon
- Spray bottle
How to Smoke Ribs in a Masterbuilt Electric Smoker?
First, prepare your ribs by removing the membrane, then:
- Coat them with Yellow Mustard
- Rubbing the homemade dry rub
It’s best to do this the night before smoking ribs. Then follow the following steps:
1. Smoke for 3 Hours – Set the smoker to 225 degrees F and place the ribs bone side down for 3 hours. Sprinkle the ribs with apple juice every 30 minutes.
2. Wrap for 2 Hours – Remove the ribs from the smoker and place them on tinfoil. Pour the BBQ mixture and apple juice into the foil. Place ribs on the smoker for 2 hours more, seal the foil, so nothing leaks out.
3. Sauce and Smoke for 1 Hour – Brush the finished ribs with the remaining BBQ Sauce mixture after removing them from the smoker. Put the smoked meat back on the smoker, bones down, and smoke for another hour.
When to put BBQ Sauce on Smoked Ribs?
Putting BBQ sauce on smoked ribs is all about perfect timing. Barbecue sauce is usually thick on ribs, so apply it during the final 20-30 minutes of cooking.
Coat the ribs in several thin layers. Adding this to ribs makes them sticky and delicious.
How Long to Smoke Ribs in an Electric Smoker?
Generally, the whole process will take approximately 9 hours.
- Cooking Time: 6 Hours (3 – 2 – 1 smoking method)
- Preparation time: 2 hours (Ribs have 2 hours to soak up the flavor).
- To soak wood chips: 1 hour (can be done during prep time)
- 30 minutes: Bring ribs to room temperature before cooking
- 30 minutes: Let ribs rest in aluminum (after cooking)
How to Know When Smoked Ribs Are Done?
Ribs are ready when the third rib bone pokes its tip through the back of the rib.
- How long to Smoke Ribs at 200 in an Electric Smoker?
Smoking a full rack of ribs at 200 will take about 4 hours in an Electric Smoker.
- How long to Smoke Ribs at 225 in an Electric Smoker?
Smoking a full rack of ribs at 225 will take about 6 hours in an Electric Smoker.
- How long to Smoke Ribs at 250 in an Electric Smoker?
Smoking a full rack of ribs at 250 will take approximately 4 to 5 hours in an Electric Smoker.
- How long to Smoke Ribs at 275 in an Electric Smoker?
It’s not recommended for beginners to smoke ribs at 275 F, as chances are they will overcook the ribs. However, at 275 in an Electric Smoker takes approximately two hours.
How to Make Smoked Ribs Tender?
Ribs become tender when they are cooked at the right temperature. When ribs are cooked for four hours at 225 degrees Fahrenheit, they will be more tender and juicy than cooked for two hours at 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
You might consider lowering the temperature and cooking the ribs for longer if you want super-tender, juicy ribs.
What goes Good with Smoked Ribs?
Grilled, smoked, or baked in the oven, ribs are the kind of food that is only enjoyed thoroughly. Following are the side dishes that go well with ribs!
- Slow-cooker collard greens
- Classic macaroni and cheese
- Herbed potato salad
- Crispy corn fritters
- Corn and tomato coleslaw
- Spicy jicama, grapefruit, and mango salad
- French green bean salad
How to Make Smoked Ribs in the Oven?
Even if you don’t have an electric smoker, you can cook ribs in the oven with a kiss of smokey flavor. With tinfoil and wet wood chips, ribs can be oven-smoked.
Here is the recipe!
Ingredients
- Salt, one tablespoon
- Brown sugar, two tablespoons
- Freshly ground black pepper, one tablespoon
- Ground cumin, one tablespoon
- Chili powder, one tablespoon
- Paprika, two tablespoons
- One rack spareribs, 2 to 3 pounds
Preparation
Step 1: Heat up the oven to 225°F. Rub the dry ingredients all over the ribs while the oven is heating.
Step 2: Spread hickory or oak chips on the bottom of the roasting pan and add enough water to create a shallow pool that covers the bottom of the pan and moistens the chips; do not drown them.
Step 3: Lay a rack over the chips, then place the rubbed meat on the rack. Using foil, create a tent at the top of the roasting pan so smoke-flavored steam can circulate the meat. You can bake the meat for 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until it is tender.
Step 4: Observe the ribs under the broiler until they are crisp and browned for about 5 minutes. Remove the foil carefully from the pan.
How to Reheat Ribs in the Oven?
Reheating cooked ribs without letting them dry out is tricky. Follow the following steps to reheat ribs in the oven to keep them perfectly tender.
- Preheat the oven to 250 degrees.
- Add another layer of sauce or a little liquid, such as coke or broth, to keep your ribs moist.
- Place your ribs in a pan and cover them with foil.
- Cook the leftover ribs until their internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- After removing the foil, cook for another 10 to 15 minutes to let the sauce darken and bring the bark back to life.
- Before serving ribs covered with spice rub, wait until reheated and cover them again with rub.
Tips to How to Keep Ribs Moist?
When smoked ribs are tender and moist, they are delicious. Make sure they do not dry out.
Here’s how to keep ribs moist while smoking!
- Brining – Adding saltwater to the ribs before cooking will help the meat retain moisture.
- Marinating – Marinades function similarly to brine solutions. They provide moisture to the meat while infusing it with flavor. Additionally, they tenderize the meat.
- Spritzing – While the ribs are cooking, you can spritz them with liquid. Spritzing liquids can be made from apple juice or cider or a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water.
- Wrapping in Foil – Even if your ribs have already begun to dry out, adopting the foil method can preserve their integrity. It’s unnecessary, but amateur grillers prefer it because foil traps moisture. This technique involves wrapping the ribs tightly in a double layer of aluminum foil, taking care not to poke any holes through the foil.
- Mopping – A mop is similar to a spritz in that it is used throughout the cooking process. Besides adding moisture, Mops contribute to flavor. Mopping is better than using a brush for seasoning because the brush will remove the seasoning rub.
- Resting Time – After taking meat off the heat, you should always let it rest for a few minutes to redistribute the moisture. Let ribs rest for ten to thirty minutes. To keep them warm, wrap them in foil and place them in a faux Cambro until you are ready to serve.
How Long Do Smoked Ribs Last In the Refrigerator?
The cooked ribs can be kept for up to 3 days in a refrigerator if stored properly. Freeze cooked ribs in air-tight containers, heavy-duty freezer bags, or wrap tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil or freezer wrap to extend their shelf life.
Bottom Line
With this guide in hand, you can cook some of the most delicious ribs you have ever tasted. Though how to smoke ribs in an electric smoker requires time and patience. But, to make it easy for you – we have included some pro tips. So hopefully, you will enjoy your smoked ribs made according to our tips and recipes!
