These ribs are incredibly tender, infused with a touch of heat, and offer the perfect combination of sweetness and spice. Get ready to indulge in a messy, finger-licking feast that will leave you craving more.
The Importance of a Great Rub
To achieve the best results, start by creating a flavorful rub. You can either use my Sweet Rub recipe or prepare your own rub at home. The Sweet Rub adds a delightful sweetness that complements the heat in these ribs perfectly.
Another secret to the exceptional flavor in these ribs is the braising liquid used during the cooking process. After absorbing the smoky goodness, the ribs are wrapped in a mixture of apple juice and jalapenos. This step ensures that the ribs become incredibly tender and are coated with an irresistible sweet and spicy flavor. To enhance the taste even further, the ribs are slathered with Apple Jalapeno BBQ Sauce.
How to Smoke Apple Jalapeno Ribs
I smoked these Apple Jalapeno Ribs on my pellet grill, allowing me to easily switch between temperatures. If you have a traditional offset smoker, aim for a consistent temperature of 225 degrees F throughout the cooking process. Keep an eye on the ribs during the foiling phase, as they may cook slightly faster. For electric smokers, smoke the ribs for the first 3 hours and then transfer them to the oven during the foiled phase to avoid the need for wood chip refills. Remember, these are not crockpot ribs, oven ribs, or boiled ribs – they are smoked ribs!
Tips for Perfect Smoked Ribs
To ensure your ribs are perfectly cooked, keep the following tips in mind:
Watch for the meat to pull back about 1/2 inch from the bones.
Perform the bend test by lifting one end of the ribs with tongs – if the meat starts to shred slightly, they’re done!
Consider using an instant-read thermometer for a precise temperature reading. Look for around 200 degrees F between two bones for melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.
Ingredients for Apple Jalapeno Smoked Ribs
Gather the following ingredients to make these mouthwatering ribs:
- 2 racks of baby back ribs
- 4 tablespoons Sweet Rub
- 1/4 cup yellow mustard
- 2 cups apple juice
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 medium jalapenos, sliced into rings
- 1 cup Apple Jalapeno BBQ Sauce
Instructions
- Remove the thin membrane from the back of the ribs.
- Slather both sides of the ribs with yellow mustard and generously season with Sweet Rub.
- Prepare your smoker for indirect smoking at 225 degrees F using apple wood.
- Place the seasoned ribs on the smoker and smoke for 3 hours.
- Transfer the ribs to foil, sprinkle with brown sugar, add butter and apple juice, and top with sliced jalapenos. Seal the foil tightly.
- Braise the ribs in the foil for 2 hours on the smoker.
- Remove the ribs from the foil, brush with Apple Jalapeno BBQ Sauce, and arrange jalapeno slices on top.
- Cook for an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour until the ribs reach your desired tenderness and the sauce is sticky.
- Rest the ribs for 10-15 minutes, then slice into individual ribs and serve with additional sauce.
Prepare yourself for a flavor-packed adventure with these Apple Jalapeno Smoked Ribs. Embrace the messy eating experience and savor every bite.
