ALL-PURPOSE BARBECUE RIBS

All-Purpose Barbecue Ribs image

Many smoked ribs recipes have you remove the membrane from the underside of the ribs before cooking them. I don't see the point, unless you're entering your ribs in a barbecue competition: it's a pain in the ass to remove and there's usually very little meat on that side of the ribs, plus I like the extra structure that the membrane gives the rack, which makes it easier to move it around.

Provided by Joe Carroll

Categories Kid-Friendly Meat Spring Summer Grill/Barbecue Small Plates

Yield Makes 4-6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 3

Ingredients

6-7 pounds rib racks (your choice of St. Louis-style pork spareribs, lamb spareribs, or beef short ribs)
1 cup Fette Sau Dry Rub
Vinegar Sauce for serving

Steps:

Put the ribs on a rimmed baking sheet and coat all over with the dry rub, patting it onto the surface until the meat has a thin, even layer of rub (you may not need all of the rub). If you have time, let the meat rest for 1 hour, or until the rub starts to turn into a pasty coating.
Preheat a smoker to 225°F or set up a grill for smoking. Soak wood chips, if using.
Place the racks of ribs, meaty side up, in the smoker and smoke, maintaining a smoker temperature between 200°F and 225°F, replenishing the charcoal and wood chunks or chips as needed.
For St. Louis-style pork spareribs:
After about 3 hours, start checking the ribs periodically. When you can easily tear a piece of meat off the bone with your fingers (without it being fall-off-the-bone tender) and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of the rib meat registers about 180°F, the ribs are ready. Total cooking time should take 5-7 hours.
For lamb spareribs:
After about 2 hours, start checking the ribs periodically. When you can easily tear a piece of meat off the bone with your fingers (without it being fall-off-the-bone tender) and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of the rib meat registers about 150°F, the ribs are ready. Total cooking time should take 3-5 hours.
For beef short ribs:
After about 3 hours, start checking the ribs periodically. When you can easily tear a piece of meat off the bone with your fingers (without it being fall-off-the-bone tender) and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of the rib meat registers about 180°F, the ribs are ready. Total cooking time should take 5-6 hours.
Using tongs or a pair of heavy rubber gloves, transfer the racks to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes before cutting them into individual ribs and serving, with Vinegar Sauce on the side, if desired.