3-2-1 ribs simply means to smoke your ribs:
- 3 Hours Unwrapped
- 2 Hours Wrapped
- 1 Hour Unwrapped (Sauced)
The result are beginner friendly ribs that are fall off the bone tender.
Rib Prep
Take ribs out of the packaging and remove the membrane.
Rub for 321 Ribs
If you’re new to smoking ribs, I’d opt to use a commercial rib rub.
The one I used for this recipe is Mississippi Grind – it’s sweet, savory, offers good color, and has a slight kick from cayenne.
A simple rib rub you can make at home is:
- 3 Tbsp Dark Brown Sugar
- 1 Tbsp White Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Paprika
- 1/2 Tbsp Granulated Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Table Ground Black Pepper
- 1/2 Tbsp Onion Powder
Smoke the Ribs for 3 Hours, Unwrapped
Get your smoker to 225F.
Place your ribs meat side up on the smoker for 3 hours.
After 2 Hours, Wrap the Ribs in Foil
In a bowl combine:
- 2 Tbsp Melted Butter
- 2 Tbsp BBQ Sauce
- 4 Tbsp Water
- 1 Tbsp of Rib Rub
Combine the above and heat in the microwave for 10 seconds. Mix until well combined – the mixture should be somewhat viscous.
Place your ribs meat side down in foil.
Here’s a more detailed guide to wrapping ribs in foil in case you’re unsure.
Then fold up your wrap ensuring no steam can escape; Before closing the wrap, add your liquid mixture.
Place back on the smoker, meat side down, and smoke for 2 hours.
Smoke Ribs Unwrapped for 1 Hour
Take the ribs out of the wrap and place them meat side up on the smoker.
Grab favorite BBQ Sauce (or use one of my recipes) and warm ¼ cup of it in the microwave for 10 seconds.
Pour this heated sauce on your ribs and then take a basting brush and brush the surface of the ribs with the sauce.
Smoke the ribs for 1 more hour.
Resting and Slicing the Ribs
After an hour, take the ribs out of the smoker and rest on a cutting board for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, slice between the bones and enjoy!
Easy as 3-2-1 Ribs Recipe
Beginner Ribs that fall off the bone
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Active Time6 hours hrs
Resting Time15 minutes mins
Total Time6 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Take ribs out of packaging and remove membrane.
Either make the rub I listed or use your favorite bbq rub. Liberally apply the rub to the meat side and do a light coat the bone side. Allow this rub to sweat for 15 minutes.
Set your smoker to 225F.
Place ribs on the smoker for 3 hours.
After 3 hours, take off the smoker and prepare the wrap liquid. Combine the ingredients in a bowl ensuring they're well combined.
Wrap ribs in foil ensuring no steam can escape. Before closing the wrap, add the wrap liquid.
Smoke ribs wrapped for 2 hours.
Take ribs out of the wrap and warm up some of your favorite BBQ sauce in the microwave for 10 seconds.
Pour BBQ sauce on the meat side of the ribs and use a basting brush to brush the sauce on the ribs.
Return to smoker, meat side up and smoke for 1 hour.
After 1 hour, take off the smoker and rest for 15 minutes. Then slice between the bones and enjoy!
