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    Home » Recipes » Pork Recipes

    Smoked St. Louis Ribs

    5 hrs 30 mins | Yield 8 | April 21, 2022 | Updated: June 18, 2022 by Kita | This post includes affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Finger licking tender ribs with a hint of smoke and pull-off-the-bone perfection is what these Smoked St. Louis Ribs are all about. Loaded with flavor and sauced just right, you’d better make extra because these will disappear fast! 

    Table of contents
    • What Are St. Louis Ribs?
    • What You’ll Need
    • The Best Rib Rub For Smoked Ribs
    • How Many St. Loius Ribs Per Person
    • What’s The Best Wood for Smoking Ribs?
    • How To Make The Best Smoked St. Louis Ribs
    • How Long Do Ribs Take To Smoke?
    • What Goes With Smoked St. Louis Style Ribs?
    • Recipe Tips
    • Storage Instructions
    • More Delicious Smoked Ribs Recipes
    • 📖 Full Recipe
    • 💬 Drop a comment

    It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of smoked meats, and these ribs are some of the best I’ve ever made. They’re tender and pull away from the bone in a satisfying way that lets you mop up all the sauce from the bones. 

    And, with just the right amount of smoked, these slow-cooked Smoked St. Louis Ribs are just about as good as ribs can get.

    What Are St. Louis Ribs?

    St. Louis style spare ribs are cut from the pork belly, and the hard breastbone is removed, and while these ribs are flatter and longer than baby back ribs, they’re also fattier, making them some of the tastiest pork ribs around. 

    These smoked pork ribs also benefit from being less expensive than baby back ribs, so if you’re a baby back rib fan, give these a try! 

    What You’ll Need

    • St. Louis style ribs – 2 racks.
    • Salt – Kosher – don’t use too fine a grain or too flakey a salt. Kosher is perfect for this recipe.
    • GirlsCanGrill Pork Rub – If you can’t get these spices, see my comments below and my alternative recipe in the recipe card.
    • OverTheFireCooking Adobo Honey – See my notes below.
    • Sasquatch Fire Rib – See my notes below.
    • Mustard – Yellow mustard is fine.
    • BBQ sauce – Use your favorite BBQ sauce.
    • Wood chips or chunks

    The Best Rib Rub For Smoked Ribs

    I love using my signature spice blends which are available at Spiceology, but if you can’t get those, you can swap out the spice blends and rubs for brown sugar, paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, and black pepper in this recipe. 

    How Many St. Loius Ribs Per Person

    St. Louis style ribs are larger and heavier than baby back ribs, so look for about 1 pound of raw ribs per person (bones included) or about 4-5 rib bones.

    What’s The Best Wood for Smoking Ribs?

    Delicious ribs pair best with a sweeter, less assertive wood. I love using post oak, pecan, or hickory.

    How To Make The Best Smoked St. Louis Ribs

    Smoking ribs isn’t difficult; it just takes some time! Start the day before by rubbing the ribs with the spices and letting them sit in the fridge overnight. Then, start smoking the pork ribs a few hours before you plan on eating.

    Trim the ribs to remove excess fat and oddly shaped end pieces.

    St Louis Style Ribs being trimmed

    Remove the membrane on the back side of the ribs. Cut a corner of it away from the meat with a sharp knife, then grab the corner with a paper towel and pull it off. 

    Rub the mustard over the ribs, then mix the spices and spread this dry rub evenly over the ribs.

    • St Louis ribs rubbed with mustard
    • St Louis ribs rubbed with spices to be smoked

    Wrap the ribs in plastic and refrigerate them overnight.

    Heat the grill to 225-250F, and add wood chunks. 

    Hang the ribs in the smoker and smoke them until they reach 195-200F.

    Remove the ribs from the smoker and add coals to heat the grill. Add the grill grate and let it heat up.

    • charcoal being poured into a pit barrel cooker
    • St Louis Style Ribs in a pit barrel cooker
    • St Louis Style Ribs in a pit barrel cooker

    Remove the hooks from the ribs, brush the ribs with the BBQ sauce, and sear them meat-side down until the barbecue sauce is thick, tacky, and caramelized. 

    Take the ribs off the grill, let them rest a few minutes, then cut along the bones to serve.

    How Long Do Ribs Take To Smoke?

    Every smoker is different as are the racks of ribs. If they’re super cold (just from the fridge) they’ll take longer, too. Give yourself between 5 and 6 hours to make the best smoked pork ribs.

    What Goes With Smoked St. Louis Style Ribs?

    Anything you want! Seriously though, my favorites are baked potatoes, mac and cheese, corn on the cob (give me all the carbs!) and even fries. Coleslaw, tangy pickles to cut through the richness, and a tasty veggie-packed salad will also pair nicely with this smoked ribs recipe.

    Recipe Tips

    • When using wood chunks or chips, don’t soak them first. 
    • If using wood chips, use a smoker box, or for a barrel cooker, put them into a foil pan and replace them with fresh chips every 35 minutes or so.
    • Smoke ribs on a rib hook so they get even exposure to the smoke.
    • Serve your ribs with additional sauce.

    Storage Instructions

    If, and that’s a big IF, you have leftover ribs, wrap them tightly and store them in the fridge for 4-5 days.

    More Delicious Smoked Ribs Recipes

    • How To Smoke Ribs
    • Hickory Smoked Pork Ribs with Paleo BBQ Sauce
    • Memphis Style Smoked Pork Ribs
    • Dry Rubbed Smoked Baby Back Ribs

    If you’ve tried my Smoked Bar-B-Q St Louis-Style Ribs recipe, or any other recipe on GirlCarnivore.com please don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know where you found it in the comments below. I get inspired by your feedback and comments! You can also FOLLOW ME  on Instagram @girlcarnivore as well as on  Twitter and Facebook.

    📖 Full Recipe

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    5 from 4 votes

    Smoked St. Louis Style Ribs

    There's nothing like a perfectly cooked meaty pork rib. And if you want just that, check out these smoked St. Louis style ribs. Smoked in a barrel cooker until tender and then basted with BBQ sauce for that signature finish over diret heat!
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Author: Kita Roberts
    Prep Time1 d 10 mins
    Cook Time5 hrs 20 mins
    Resting Time10 mins
    Total Time5 hrs 30 mins
    Servings: 8 People
    Calories: 128kcal

    Ingredients

    • 2 racks St Louis Style Ribs
    • 2 tablespoon Salt
    • 2 tablespoon GirlsCanGrill Pk Pork Rub
    • 1 teaspoon OvertheFireCooking Adobo Honey
    • 1 teaspoon Sasquatch Fire Rib
    • 4 tablespoon Mustard
    • 1 cup BBQ sauce

    Instructions

    Prep the Ribs

    • Trim the ribs to even out the ribs, removing the odd end pieces and any additional areas that need to be removed (untrtimmed fat, etc).
      2 racks St Louis Style Ribs
    • Remove the membrane
    • Rub the mustard over the ribs to coat
      4 tablespoon Mustard
    • Mix the spices in a jar
      2 tablespoon Salt, 2 tablespoon GirlsCanGrill Pk Pork Rub, 1 teaspoon OvertheFireCooking Adobo Honey, 1 teaspoon Sasquatch Fire Rib
    • Spread the spice mix over the ribs
    • Wrap the ribs in plastic wrap and let sit overnight

    Prep the Fire

    • Prep the grill for 225 to 250
    • Add the wood chunks (Post Oak, Pecan or Hickory)
    • Using hooks, pierce the 2nd or 3rd rib down

    Smoke the Ribs

    • Hang the ribs in the smoker
    • Smoke until the ribs reach 195 to 200 degrees F with an instant read thermometer, 2 ½ to 3 hous.
    • Carefully remove the ribs from the smoker and add more coals to sear the meat. Add the grill grate and allow the grill to get hot.

    Baste with Sauce

    • Carefully remove the hooks from the ribs.
    • Brush the ribs with the BBQ sauce and place, meat side down for 2 to 5 minutes.
      1 cup BBQ sauce
    • Flip and sear the bone side, basting more bbq sauce on top.
    • Allow the sauce to get thick and tacky.

    Serve

    • Remove the ribs from the smoker and let rest for 5 minutes.
    • Slice the ribs along the bones to serve.
    • Serve with additional BBQ sauce, if desired.

    Notes

    When using wood chunks or wood chips, do not soak the wood. If using wood chips, use a smoker box, or for a barrel cooker a foil pan, and replace with fresh chips every 35 to 40 minutes. For chunks, add directly over the coals. 
    Recommend wood: Post Oak, Pecan, or Hickory
    These ribs were smoked in a Pit Barrel Cooker, but this recipe for hung St Louis-style ribs would work in the Oklahoma Joes Bronco or any barrel-style grill. Alternatively, see my recipe for beginner smoked ribs to see how I smoked ribs on a regular charcoal grill
    Alternative spice mix option: Whisk together: 1 tablespoon salt, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tablespoon paprika, ½ teaspoon cayenne, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, & 1 tsp  black pepper

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Smoked St. Louis Style Ribs
    Amount Per Serving (1 g)
    Calories 128 Calories from Fat 45
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 5g8%
    Saturated Fat 2g13%
    Trans Fat 1g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
    Monounsaturated Fat 2g
    Cholesterol 16mg5%
    Sodium 2212mg96%
    Potassium 156mg4%
    Carbohydrates 16g5%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Sugar 12g13%
    Protein 4g8%
    Vitamin A 91IU2%
    Vitamin C 1mg1%
    Calcium 34mg3%
    Iron 1mg6%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Nutrition information provided is an estimate. For specific health concerns, please put the recipe into your Dr recommended nutrition calculator.
    Made My Recipe?Mention @girlcarnivore and tag #girlcarnivore!
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    About Kita

    Hey, I'm Kita, the Meat Maven, outdoor junkie, campfire connoisseur, adventure-seeking and world traveled recipe developer and photographer behind GirlCarnivore.com. My mission is to break down savory eats and inspire you to get a little grit under your nails while having fun with your food. READ MORE

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Diane says

      May 15, 2013 at 12:10 pm

      OMG These look so good!!

      Reply
    2. Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says

      May 15, 2013 at 1:52 pm

      Oh god, I can imagine that smell right now and I think it’s the first time I’ve craved ribs before 9am.

      Reply
    3. MikeW says

      May 15, 2013 at 2:16 pm

      You neglected your grill? How could you?

      I remember a friend calling to tell me he was grilling steaks. I had just gotten home, work closed because of an impending blizzard. I drove across town, arrived just before the driving ban took effect. George was crouched over a hibachi on his front porch.

      Delicious steaks.

      Reply
    4. MikeW says

      May 15, 2013 at 2:21 pm

      I just noticed, this is from “Big Bob Gibson’s” book. His place is a half hour from us. we’ve been meaning to check it out, now I know I will. That looks delicious!

      Reply
      • Kita says

        May 15, 2013 at 3:24 pm

        I received this book for Christmas and have about 90 pages tabbed. If I were you I would be at that place tonight ;D

        Reply
        • MikeW says

          May 15, 2013 at 4:10 pm

          Yes, based on this recipe I have to try Big Bob’s.

          I like my BBQ well seasoned & with a complex, spicy, slightly sweet & sticky sauce. That’s not the BBQ style common in Alabama, at least this area. Alabama BBQ that I’ve encountered is slightly smoked, lightly seasoned meats served with simple sauces: a white mayo based sauce; a hot vinegary sauce that is too one dimensional (also, I like vinegar based sauces for basting but not at the table); and a thin red sauce that lacks complexity. There’s nothing wrong with the BBQ places here, they provide a product made with quality ingredients & cooked with care, but their style isn’t what I like.

          I have found some BBQ I like here — Mud Creek Fishing Camp Restaurant in Hollywood Alabama (NE Alabama just off of 72) is great, but about an hour from here. However, we can combine this with a stop at the Unclaimed Baggage in Scottsboro where you can buy stuff that people have left on planes — some of the more unusual items are on permanent display.

          Reply
    5. Jason Smith says

      April 21, 2022 at 1:26 pm

      5 stars
      Alright, Ma’am. I actually bought the specific seasonings. I was impressed, the flavor was incredible! I will make these repeatedly!

      THANKS!

      Reply

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