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Mustard-Coated Ribs

Discover the secret to perfectly smoked ribs using mustard as a binder to achieve a flavorful crust and tender meat.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, BBQ
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Ribs
  • 1 rack pork ribs Select a good quality rack of pork ribs.
  • 3 tbsp yellow mustard Acts as a binder for the dry rub.
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 1 tbsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional) Adds heat.
  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar For spritzing during cooking.
  • ½ cup barbecue sauce (optional) For finishing the ribs.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs for better flavor absorption.
  2. Spread a thin layer of yellow mustard on both sides of the ribs.
  3. Mix the dry rub ingredients in a bowl and coat the ribs evenly, pressing the seasoning into the mustard layer.
  4. Allow the ribs to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, or refrigerate for deeper flavor absorption.
Cooking
  1. Preheat your smoker to 225°F (107°C) using hickory or apple wood.
  2. Place the ribs in the smoker, bone-side down. Cook for about 3 hours, spritzing with apple cider vinegar every 45 minutes.
  3. Wrap the ribs in aluminum foil after 3 hours and continue cooking for another 2 hours.
  4. If desired, brush with barbecue sauce and cook uncovered for another hour to allow the sauce to caramelize.
Serving
  1. Let the ribs rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Experiment with different types of mustard for varied flavor profiles. Yellow mustard is a safe choice, but Dijon or spicy brown mustards can add unique twists.