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Barbecue St. Louis Pork Ribs

This recipe guides you through preparing succulent St. Louis style pork ribs using a smoker. It emphasizes crafting a potent homemade spice rub, meticulous rib preparation including membrane removal, and precise low-and-slow smoking techniques. Crucially, it details four key doneness criteria, ensuring perfectly tender ribs that pull clean from the bone, finished with a resting period for optimal juiciness. Ideal for barbecue enthusiasts.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 6 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: lunch/dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 9533.1
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns
  • 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 3 slabs St. Louis style ribs 2 to 3 pounds each
  • 4 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 1/3 cup spicy brown mustard
  • Special equipment: Smoker and 4 ounces hickory or oak wood chunks or chips

Equipment

  • 1 Smoker Essential for low-and-slow cooking and smoke flavor
  • 1 Spice Grinder For freshly grinding whole spices for the rub
  • 1 Meat Thermometer Crucial for verifying internal temperature for doneness
  • 1 Tongs For handling ribs and performing doneness tests
  • 1 Heavy-Duty Foil For wrapping and resting the cooked ribs

Method
 

  1. Set a smoker to 225 degrees F.
  2. Combine the paprika, black peppercorns, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, garlic powder, onion powder, nutmeg and cayenne in a spice grinder. Process until a fine powder is formed, approximately 30 seconds.
  3. Pat the ribs dry and turn bone-side up. Trim excess fat and, if one end of the ribs is especially narrow, trim meat and bone to ensure even cooking. Remove the membrane on the underside of the ribs by inserting a rounded utensil, an upside-down spoon works well, between the membrane and the meat at one end of the slab. Carefully work the spoon under the membrane to loosen but not tear. Once enough has been loosened, use a paper towel to hold onto the membrane as you slowly pull it down the slab to remove.
  4. Sprinkle the ribs on both sides with the salt and brush both sides with the mustard. Sprinkle two-thirds of the spice mixture on the meat side of the ribs and the remaining third on the bone side.
  5. Once the smoker has reached 225 degrees F, add the wood chips or chunks and the ribs to the smoker.
  6. Smoke for 4 to 5 hours then test for doneness. There are four criteria that should be met in order for ribs to be done. First, the internal temperature of the meat should be 185 to 190 degrees F. Second, pick up each slab from the center with tongs and it should droop into a u-shape and crack slightly. Third, while holding with the tongs, and bouncing gently, the surface of the ribs should crack slightly. Lastly, the meat should pull easily off the bone but not fall off. If ribs pass all tests, remove them from the smoker and wrap in heavy-duty foil and rest for 15 minutes. If not, continue smoking for 45 minutes to 1 hour and test again until done.

Notes

Membrane removal is crucial for tender ribs; if left on, it creates a tough, chewy barrier. Using a paper towel provides a secure grip for easier removal. Freshly grinding whole spices significantly intensifies the rub's flavor and aroma; for an even deeper profile, consider toasting whole spices briefly before grinding. Maintaining a consistent 225°F in the smoker is paramount for tender, juicy results without drying out the meat. Do not solely rely on internal temperature for doneness; the flexibility, surface crack, and bone-pull tests are equally important for achieving perfectly cooked ribs that pull clean from the bone but don't fall off. The resting period, wrapped in foil, allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum succulence.