Step 1

Gather all the ingredients and equipment you need.

Step 2

Add dry rub ingredients in a jar (18 g black pepper, 9 g kosher salt, 1 tsp onion powder, and 1 tsp garlic powder).

Step 3

Close the jar and shake well. I highly recommend this Maracasifter for sprinkling dry rub on ingredients evenly.

Step 4

Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs by pulling it down with a paper towel (slippery!). We usually ask the butcher to do this when we purchase the ribs. If the meat is dry, add 1-2 Tbsp (15-30 ml) apple cider vinegar in a mister and spray the vinegar to wet the meat.

Step 5

Evenly sprinkle dry seasoning on meat including the edge, start with the bone side first. Let the meat rest for 1 hour at room temperature.

Step 6

After 45 min, pre-heat Traeger to 275ºF (135ºC).

Step 7

Create a metal cup with aluminum foil and pour 6 Tbsp (90 ml) apple cider vinegar inside.

Step 8

Once Traeger is at 275ºF (135ºC), place ribs meat side up along with the apple cider vinegar cup. Smoke for 2 hours.

Step 9

Meanwhile, make your favorite BBQ sauce at this time. We made a BBQ sauce using a recipe from Franklin Barbecue: A Meat-Smoking Manifesto cookbook).

Step 10

After 2 hours, mist apple cider vinegar on ribs.

Step 11

Brush on BBQ sauce on the meat side.

Step 12

Smoke for 15 min.

Step 13

After 15 minutes, flip ribs over, mist on the meat.

Step 14

Brush the BBQ sauce on the ribs and smoke for 15 min.

Step 15

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 275ºF (135ºC). Prepare 2 layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil for each rib (leaving plenty of room to wrap the ribs).

Step 16

For each rib, cut up 1 Tbsp of butter into 4 pieces and spread on aluminum foil. Drizzle 2 Tbsp honey, add 2 Tbsp brown sugar.

Step 17

Mist with apple cider vinegar and pour BBQ sauce on top. Make the same aluminum sheet with butter, honey, sugar, apple cider vinegar, and BBQ sauce for the second rib.

Step 18

Take out the ribs from the smoker and transfer to the baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Step 19

Lay the rib meat side down on the mixture.

Step 20

Spray the bone side with vinegar and brush BBQ sauce on.

Step 21

Carefully wrap the meat without puncturing the aluminum foil.

Step 22

Enclose the end of the aluminum foil so moisture can’t escape.

Step 23

Place the ribs on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 2 hours.

Step 24

Take the ribs out and rest in the foil for 20 to 30 minutes. Enjoy the ribs with your favorite BBQ sauce.