Last Updated on August 29, 2022

Nothing says summer like smoked Baby Back Ribs. Patrick Shea, chef and owner of CK Pearl in Essex, Massachusetts, has been smoking pork since childhood. Here, he shares his version of a classic along with an easy BBQ sauce recipe that compliments the smoky flavors and is sure to stand out at your next cookout.

Smoked Baby Back Ribs with CK Pearl BBQ Sauce

3.86 from 21 votes

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Protein: Pork

Cut: Baby Back Ribs

Prep Time: 40

Cook Time: 5

Total Time: 5 45

Ingredients

1 rack ButcherBox Baby Back Ribs

Rub

4 oz paprika
2 oz Cajun spice
2 oz granulated garlic
1 oz black pepper
1 oz salt
1 oz sugar

BBQ Sauce

1 onion minced
6 cloves garlic minced
1⅓ cup molasses
1½ cup cider vinegar
2⅔ cup ketchup

Instructions

Place ribs bone-side up and gently drag a knife in an ‘X’ pattern across the bones, scoring the meat.
In a small bowl combine all dry rub ingredients and rub all over ribs coating well. Freeze leftover rub in ziplock bags for future rib dinners.
Preheat charcoal grill to 250°F. Try and keep the coals off to one side.
Remove ⅓ of the wood chips from water and place in perforated aluminum pan or foil. Place directly onto coals.
Place ribs bone-side down on grill, away from the coals, and cover grill.
Combine ½ cup of cider vinegar and ½ cup of water in spray bottle, and spray ribs once an hour, adding wood chips each time.
Let ribs smoke at 250°F for 3 hrs, adding small amounts of coal and wood chips as needed.
Remove ribs from grill, wrap tightly in foil and place bone side down in 300°F preheated oven for 1 ½ hours. Let ribs rest in foil for 30 min after removing from oven.
For BBQ sauce, sauté onions and garlic until soft, add remaining ingredients and simmer for 30 min.
Brush some sauce on the ribs, throw them on a hot grill for 5 min to reheat and enjoy!