Smoked Beef Short Ribs Recipe [Easy Method]

For those who want picture-perfect and amazing-tasting smoked beef short ribs, you’ve come to the right place. This recipe offers a delightful blend of tenderness and flavor.

Perfect for weekend gatherings or a simple family dinner, this dish is all about savoring good meat and letting your smoker do the work.

How To Smoke Beef Short Ribs

Begin by preheating your smoker to 275°F to ensure it’s at the right temperature for cooking. Oak or Hickory are the perfect woods to smoke beef ribs with.

While the smoker heats up, allow your ribs to sit out at room temperature (usually takes an hour or so). This step ensures more even cooking.

Do not remove the membrane from the underside of the ribs. This will stop the ribs from falling apart during cooking.

Drizzle a generous amount of Worcestershire sauce over the meat side of the ribs and massage it in with your hands to coat evenly. This will not only enhance the flavor but also help the seasoning stick.

Mix black pepper, salt, garlic, and smoked paprika together and evenly distribute it onto the meat side of the ribs. Don’t forget the sides! Pat and press the rub into the meat. Avoid rubbing it.

Insert a probe into the thickest part of the meat. I use a Meater for its accuracy and usefulness for long cooks.

Place your ribs in the middle of your smoker with the bone side down.

Once the bark has set (usually after 3 hours), begin spritzing the ribs every hour with a mixture of water and apple cider vinegar. This keeps the ribs moist and adds a tangy touch that complements the smoky flavor.

Continue smoking the ribs until they reach an internal temperature of 203°F. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature, and when the probe slides in with no resistance—like poking soft butter—you’ll know the ribs are perfectly cooked.

Carefully remove the ribs from the smoker and wrap them tightly in butcher paper, then wrap the package in an old towel. Place the wrapped ribs in a cooler to rest for at least 30 minutes, though resting for an hour is ideal. This step allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring tender and flavorful.

Enjoy your smoky, perfectly cooked ribs!

Smoked Beef Short Ribs Recipe

For those who want picture-perfect and amazing-tasting smoked beef short ribs, you've come to the right place.

4.91 from 55 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 hours hrs

Total Time 8 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine BBQ

Servings 2

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 3-4 lbs rack beef short ribs
• ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce

Rub

• 2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tbsp granulated garlic powder also works
• ½ tbsp smoked paprika

Spritz

• ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• ½ cup water

Instructions

 

• Pre-heat your smoker to 275°F and leave your ribs to get to room temperature.
• Trim off the excess fat and remove the silver skin from the top side.
• Drizzle Worcestershire sauce on the meat side and massage it in.
• Mix the rub ingredients together and sprinkle evenly on the meat. Don't forget the sides. Press the rub into the meat.
• Place the ribs bone side down in your smoker.
• After 3 hours and the bark has formed, spritz every hour with a mixture of water and apple cider vinegar.
• Remove the ribs from the smoker when they hit 203°F. It should probe like poking butter.
• Wrap the ribs in butcher paper and then an old towel. Rest it in a cooler for at least 30 minutes. An hour ideally.

Keyword beef ribs, beef short ribs, dino ribs

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

William Thomas

I have been smoking and grilling meat from an early age and enjoy sharing my knowledge and expertise through the hundreds of articles I have written about BBQ. I hope to make everyone’s BBQ journey that little bit easier.