Savor the best Z Grill smoked ribs recipe for deliciously smoky, fall-off-the-bone perfection. Unleash your inner pitmaster!
Course
Main Course
Prep Time15minutes
Cook Time6hours
Servings4
Ingredients
1rack of spare ribs
1/4cupbrown sugar
2tablespoonspaprika
1tablespoongarlic powder
1tablespoononion powder
1tablespoonchili powder
1teaspooncayenne pepper
1teaspoonblack pepper
1teaspoonsalt
1/2cupapple juice
Your choice of wood pelletsapple or cherry recommended
Instructions
Prepping the Ribs
Start by preparing your rack of spare ribs. Place it on a clean cutting board with the bone side facing up.
Use a butter knife or your fingers to carefully remove the thin membrane from the bone side of the ribs. This step is crucial for ensuring your ribs turn out tender and flavorful.
In a small mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt to create your dry rub. Mix them together thoroughly.
Generously sprinkle and rub the dry rub mixture all over both sides of the ribs, making sure to coat them evenly. Don't be shy with the seasoning – it's where the flavor magic happens! Let the ribs sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Preparing the Z Grill
Preheat your Z Grill to a temperature of 225°F (107°C) using your choice of wood pellets. As mentioned earlier, apple or cherry pellets are great for a sweet, smoky flavor.
Place a disposable aluminum foil pan filled with water on the grill grates, near the heat source. This will help maintain a moist cooking environment and prevent your ribs from drying out.
The 3-2-1 Method
Once your Z Grill is preheated, it's time to start smoking those ribs. Lay the seasoned rack of ribs, bone side down, directly on the grill grates.
Smoke the ribs for the initial 3 hours. During this time, you can sit back, relax, and let the smoker work its magic. Keep an eye on the temperature to ensure it stays around 225°F (107°C).
After the initial 3 hours of smoking, it's time for phase 2 of the 3-2-1 method. Carefully remove the ribs from the grill and place them on a large sheet of aluminum foil.
Pour 1/2 cup of apple juice over the ribs, and then wrap them tightly in the foil, creating a sealed packet. This will help tenderize the meat further and infuse it with flavor.
Return the foil-wrapped ribs to the grill for the next 2 hours. This step is where the magic happens, as the ribs become incredibly tender and succulent.
After the 2 hours have passed, it's time for the final phase. Unwrap the ribs and return them to the grill for the last hour. During this time, you can brush on your favorite barbecue sauce if desired, allowing it to caramelize and enhance the flavor of the ribs.
Check and Serve
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the ribs. They're ready when they reach 190°F (88°C). The meat should be tender, and the bone should easily pull away.
Once your homemade Z Grill smoked ribs are cooked, remove them from the grill.
Allow the ribs to rest for a few minutes before slicing them into individual portions.