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short ribs smoker recipe

Smoked Short Ribs Recipe

Rich, smoky, and melt-in-your-mouth tender, these smoked beef short ribs are the ultimate barbecue treat. Perfectly seasoned and slow-cooked, they deliver bold flavors with every bite.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Resting time 30 minutes
Total Time 8 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: meat
Cuisine: American
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 lbs beef short ribs trimmed of excess fat
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 2 tbsp BBQ rub optional
  • Wood chips or chunks hickory, oak, or mesquite

Equipment

  • Smoker
  • Meat thermometer
  • Aluminum foil
  • Wood chips or chunks
  • Sharp knife

Method
 

Prepare the Ribs:
  1. Trim any fat off the short ribs (excess fat can make it greasy) and remove the silver skin on the back so the meat can absorb all the flavours.
  2. Rub the ribs in olive oil to help the seasoning adhere.
Season the Ribs:
  1. In a small bowl, combine the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and smoked paprika.
  2. Rub the spice mixture liberally over the short ribs. For added flavour, coat some BBQ rub on top if you like.
Preheat the Smoker:
  1. Preheat smoker: Set your smoker to 225°F (107°C) and the wood chips you choose. Hickory and oak are good for robust, smoky flavours.
Smoke the Ribs:
  1. Once the ribs are trimmed, place them on the smoker bone side down and smoke at 225°F for about 6–8 hours.
  2. Spritz the ribs with apple juice, cider vinegar or broth every hour to keep them moist.
Check for Doneness:
  1. Monitor internal temperature with a meat thermometer. At 200°F–205°F (93°C–96°C), ideally tender short ribs.
  2. They're done when a toothpick slips easily into the meat.
Rest the Ribs:
  1. Take the ribs off the smoker, loosely wrap them in aluminium foil, and let them rest for 30 minutes. This allows the juices to be redistributed for maximum flavour.
Serve:
  1. Slice between the bones and serve the ribs with your favourite sides, such as coleslaw, baked beans, or cornbread.

Notes

Maintain a consistent smoker temperature throughout the cooking process for even results.
Use a water pan in your smoker to help retain moisture.
Experiment with different wood types to customize the smoky flavor.
short ribs smoker recipe
short ribs smoker recipe