Super Simple Baby Back Party Ribs Recipe

Last Updated:
September 16, 2024
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If you’ve never had ribs this way, they’re super barky, still tender and take half the time as regular smoked ribs.

My rub is simple and they’re sauced with a 50/50 mixture of a vinegar-sauce and my Chipotle BBQ Sauce.

party ribs recipe

Remove Ribs from Packaging and Pat Dry

Remove membrane.

Slice between each rib bone to create individual “party ribs.”

baby back ribs sliced up for party ribs

Rub for Party Wings

Combine in a mixing bowl:

  • 1/4 cup paprika
  • 1.5 tbsp Diamond crystal kosher salt
  • 3 tbsp Turbinado sugar (sugar in the raw)
  • 1 tbsp coarse ground black pepper
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp granulated garlic
  • 1/2 tbsp granulated onion
  • 1 tsp cayenne

Apply the above rub liberally to all sides of the ribs – you’ll likely have rub left over, save for another Pork cook.

This is a super basic rub – but we’ll be saucing later anyway so that’s where most of the flavor is.

The main stuff is really just the paprika, salt, and sugar.

Get Your Smoker to 250F and then Put the Ribs on Indirect

I like Post oak and cherry so that’s what I used.

Add new wood chunks every hour.

Smoke ribs for 2 hours or until bark has set.

party ribs on smoker

While Ribs Smoke Make Sauce OR Use Your Favorite BBQ Sauce + Vinegar Sauce

In a bowl combine 1/2 cup BBQ sauce and 1/2 cup of a vinegar-based sauce.

We want the sauce thin so that the BBQ sauce doesn’t burn.

I used my Chipotle BBQ sauce and I made a quick Tennessee Red sauce

To make my red sauce, combine in a bowl and simmer for 20 minutes:

  • 1 cup cider vinegar
  • 1 cup corn syrup
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 2 tbsp white sugar
  • 2 tbsp dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 tbsp coarse black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
  • 1/8 tsp ground mace

If you don’t have stuff like corn syrup or ground mace, make one of my other vinegar sauces.

OR just cut your BBQ sauce with 1/2 cup of ACV.

Once Ribs Have Smoked for 2 Hours, Put Into an Aluminum Pan

If your sauce has cooled, re-heat for 5 minutes or so.

Pour warm sauce over ribs in the pan – toss in sauce and then cover with aluminum foil, ensuring no hot air can leak.

Return to smoker for 45+ minutes until tender.

party ribs in foil pan to tenderize

My Ribs Took 1 Hour and 30 Minutes Wrapped to Be Tender

Once Tender, take out of foil and rest for 5-15 minutes and enjoy!

Baby Back Party Ribs

Sweet Heat and Done in 3.5 Hours
Prep Time5 minutes
Active Time3 hours 30 minutes
Total Time3 hours 35 minutes
Course: Appetizer

Ingredients

  • 1 rack Baby Back Ribs

Dry Rub

  • 1/4 cup paprika
  • 1.5 tbsp Diamond crystal kosher salt
  • 3 tbsp Turbinado sugar sugar in the raw
  • 1 tbsp coarse ground black pepper
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp granulated garlic
  • 1/2 tbsp granulated onion
  • 1 tsp cayenne

Instructions

  • Take ribs out of packaging, pat dry with paper towel, and remove membrane.
  • Slice ribs between the bone.
  • In a bowl combine dry rub ingredients in specified quantities.
    1/4 cup paprika, 1.5 tbsp Diamond crystal kosher salt, 3 tbsp Turbinado sugar, 1 tbsp coarse ground black pepper, 2 tsp chili powder, 1 tbsp granulated garlic, 1/2 tbsp granulated onion, 1 tsp cayenne
  • Apply rub to all sides of the ribs.

Get Smoker to 250F

  • Once at temperature, put party ribs on indirect. Add your favorite hardwood; I used post oak and cherry.
  • Smoke for 2 hours OR until bark is set.

While Ribs Smoke, Make BBQ and Vinegar Sauces

  • In a medium pot combine 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce with 1/2 cup of a vinegar-based sauce.
    I used my recipe for Chipotle BBQ sauce and I made a Tennessee red sauce.
    The point of the vinegar is thin out the BBQ sauce so that it doesn't burn, at a minimum use 1/2 cup of ACV with your BBQ sauce.

After 2 Hours, Put Ribs in an Aluminum Pan

  • If your sauce has cooled, re-heat for 5 minutes.
  • Pour sauce over ribs and then toss ribs in the sauce.
  • Cover aluminum pan with foil ensuring no hot air can leak.
  • Return to smoker for 45+ minutes until tender.

My Ribs Were Tender After 1 Hour and 30 Minutes

  • Use a probe or toothpick to go in and out of a bone, it should feel like you're going through warm butter.
  • Once they reach tenderness, allow to cool for 5-15 minutes and then enjoy!
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Dylan Clay
Dylan Clay is a pitmaster based in New Hampshire, with over 17 years of experience in grilling, smoking, and dehydrating meat. Throughout this time, he has worked with nearly every cut of meat. In 2019, he launched the Barbecue FAQ website to share his extensive knowledge about all things meat, aiming to assist others in making better barbecue at home.

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