Michael's 3-2-1 Smoked Pork Ribs
Michael's 3-2-1 Smoked Pork Ribs is a intermediate American BBQ recipe that serves 4. 650 calories per serving.
Prep: 1 hr 10 min | Cook: 6 hrs | Total: 7 hrs 10 min
Cost: $19.45 total, $4.86 per serving
Ingredients
- 1 kg rack Pork ribs (St. Louis or baby back, membrane removed)
- 2 tbsp Canola oil (Or olive oil)
- 2 tsp Salt (Kosher or sea salt preferred)
- 2 tsp Black pepper (Fresh cracked for best flavor)
- 3 tbsp Barbecue rub (Your favorite or 'Godfather's signature' style)
- 1 cup Apple juice (For spritzing)
- 2 tbsp Margarine (Cut into small pieces)
- 2 tbsp Honey
- 2 tbsp Brown sugar
- 1/2 cup Barbecue sauce (Sweet Baby Rays Honey Chipotle recommended)
- 2 large sheets Aluminum foil (For wrapping)
Instructions
Trim and Prepare Ribs
Inspect the ribs for any remaining membrane on the bone side; remove if present. Trim excess fat if needed.
Time: PT10M
Oil and Season Ribs
Rub both sides of the ribs with canola oil. Generously season both sides with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
Time: PT5M
Apply Barbecue Rub
Coat both sides of the ribs evenly with your barbecue rub.
Time: PT5M
Rest Seasoned Ribs
Wrap the seasoned ribs in foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour to let the flavors penetrate.
Time: PT1H
Temperature: 4°C
Preheat Smoker
Preheat your smoker to 125°C (225°F).
Time: PT10M
Temperature: 125°C
Smoke Ribs (First 3 Hours)
Place ribs meat side down in the smoker. Smoke for 3 hours, spritzing both sides with apple juice every 30 minutes.
Time: PT3H
Temperature: 125°C
Add Moisture and Wrap
After 3 hours, remove ribs. Lay out two large sheets of foil. Place ribs on foil, meat side up. Spritz again, sprinkle a little more rub, dot with margarine (3 pieces), drizzle with honey, and sprinkle with brown sugar. Flip and repeat on the other side. Wrap tightly in foil.
Time: PT10M
Cook Wrapped Ribs (2 Hours)
Return the foil-wrapped ribs to the smoker, seam side up. Cook for 2 hours.
Time: PT2H
Temperature: 125°C
Sauce and Set (Final Hour)
Carefully remove ribs from foil and place back on the smoker, meat side up. Brush generously with barbecue sauce. Close the lid and cook for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, brush with a second layer of sauce and cook for another 30 minutes to set the glaze.
Time: PT1H
Temperature: 125°C
Slice and Serve
Transfer ribs to a cutting board. Slice between bones and serve hot.
Time: PT10M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 650
- Protein
- 35g
- Carbohydrates
- 32g
- Fat
- 42g
- Fiber
- 1g
Dietary info: Contains animal products, Not gluten-free unless using GF BBQ sauce, Nut-free, high-protein
Allergens: Soy (possible in margarine and BBQ sauce), Gluten (possible in BBQ sauce), Dairy (if using butter instead of margarine)
Last updated: April 7, 2026





