Competition Baby Back Ribs

Ingredients

Difficulty: Medium

• 2 racks baby back ribs
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 cup apple juice, in a spray bottle
• 1 cup barbecue sauce, for glazing

Method

1. 1

   Peel the silverskin membrane from the bone side, then coat both racks in the brown sugar and spice rub. Let them sweat at room temperature for 30 minutes.

2. 2

   Smoke at 225F (107C) over apple or cherry wood for 3 hours, spritzing with apple juice every 45 minutes to keep the surface tacky.

3. 3

   Wrap each rack in foil with a splash of juice and a drizzle of sauce, then cook 2 more hours until the meat pulls back from the bones.

4. 4

   Unwrap, brush with barbecue sauce, and firm the glaze over direct heat for 15 minutes. Rest 10 minutes, then slice between the bones.