The Best Tender Smoked Country Style Pork Ribs

Sweet, smoky, and melt-in-your-mouth good, this recipe for tender smoked country style pork ribs is simply the best.

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This post was originally published on May 25, 2023. Last updated on May 31, 2024

The Best Tender Smoked Country Style Pork Ribs

Ahhhhhhh…summertime is here, and in the Midwest that can only mean one thing.

Barbecue season has arrived!

And there’s no better way to celebrate summer than with delicious, tender smoked country-style pork ribs.

These tender, smoked ribs are perfect for any summer gathering.

Whether you’re hosting a backyard cookout with friends, celebrating Father’s Day, enjoying a 4th of July picnic, or simply craving some delicious barbecue, this recipe for smoked BBQ ribs is sure to be a hit.

Prepared on a propane smoker, these country style ribs are a smoked meat lover’s dream.

So grab your grilling utensils, bring your appetite, and let’s get into it.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make the best juicy and tender smoked country style pork ribs.

Table of Contents

• Ingredients for Smoked Country Style Pork Ribs
• Equipment Needed
• How to Prepare Your Propane Smoker for Use
• The Best Wood for Smoked Ribs
• Smoked Ribs for Beginners: How to Preheat Your Smoker
• Preparing The Dry Rub Recipe for Smoked Pork Ribs
• How to Cook Smoked Country Style Pork Ribs
• How to Sauce Your Smoked Ribs
• What to Serve With Smoked BBQ Ribs
• How to Store and Reheat Your Leftover Smoked Pork Ribs
• More Summer BBQ Recipes from Midwest Life and Style
• Printable Recipe Card for Tender Smoked Country Style Pork Ribs
• Pin and Save it for Later!

Ingredients for Smoked Country Style Pork Ribs

The Ribs

• 6 lbs country style pork ribs (approximately 8-10 ribs)

The Dry Rub

• 3 and 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 2 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons white pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons onion powder

The Apple Cider Mixture

• 1 part apple juice combined with 1 part apple cider vinegar (for this recipe I used 4 ounces of each)

The Sauce

• Your favorite BBQ sauce to taste (We love Sweet Baby Ray’s Original flavor BBQ sauce.)

Equipment Needed

• Propane smoker
• Basting brush
• Grease bucket for wood pellets
• Wood chips
• Food spritzer bottle
• Meat tongs
• Mixing bowls
• Measuring spoons

How to Prepare Your Propane Smoker for Use

New to smoking ribs?

Before you get started with your smoker, there are a few important things to keep in mind.

The first thing you need to do is fill the metal water pan and place it on the lowest rack directly above the heat source.

The water not only keeps the temperature of your smoker stable, but it helps ensure your smoked pork ribs stay tender and moist while soaking up more of the smokey flavor.

Once the water pan is filled, check that your propane tank is working and properly connected to the smoker.

The Best Wood for Smoked Ribs

One of the biggest questions when it comes to barbecuing is, what is the best wood for smoked ribs?

When it comes to smoking ribs, the best wood for flavor depends on your personal taste.

For a milder, sweeter flavor, try using wood chips from pecan, cherry, or apple trees. These woods add a subtle sweetness and fruitiness that complements pork beautifully.

If you prefer a stronger, more smoky taste, hickory, mesquite, and oak wood chips will give your ribs a bold, smoky flavor. These woods are great for those who love a truly “smoky” taste in their ribs.

Smoked Ribs for Beginners: How to Preheat Your Smoker

To get your smoker started, begin by opening the door and adjusting the vents to allow good air circulation.

This helps the smoker heat evenly and prevents the build-up of smoke inside.

Next, turn on the propane valve on your tank, and then, carefully light the burner according to your smoker’s instructions.

Be sure to keep the door open while lighting the burner!

Preparing The Dry Rub Recipe for Smoked Pork Ribs

In a large glass mixing bowl, add all the spices for the smoked ribs rub recipe, and stir until the mixture is well combined.

Then it’s time to let the rub work its magic!

Generously coat both sides of each pork rib with the dry rub, and don’t be shy!

More seasoning means more flavor.

Once all the ribs are coated in the dry rub, place them in an airtight food storage container and chill in the fridge for at least 8 and up to 24 hours.

Tip from Jen’s Kitchen: My husband, the resident grill master, swears by letting the pork ribs marinate in the rub for as long as possible. And who am I to argue with the expert?

How to Cook Smoked Country Style Pork Ribs

When you’re ready to smoke your pork ribs, prep your propane smoker by laying down a thin layer of wood chips (I prefer pecan), and preheat the smoker to 225 – 250℉.

While the smoker preheats, mix equal parts of apple juice and apple cider vinegar in a spritzer bottle and set the mix —you’ll come back to it later.

Once the smoker is ready, place your dry-rubbed pork ribs directly on the metal cooking grates and smoke for about 3 hours.

Remember to keep flipping your smoked ribs every 45 minutes to an hour, to make sure they cook evenly.

Now’s also the time to hit your ribs with some extra flavor.

Each time you flip your smoked pork ribs spritz both sides of the meat with the apple cider vinegar mix, which helps seal in the flavors and make them extra tender.

Tip from Jen’s Kitchen: It’s important to keep a close eye on your smoker while your ribs cook. If your smoker runs a bit hotter than the ideal temperature of 225-250°F, the ribs may cook faster. So, be sure to check on them regularly to ensure they don’t overcook.

After smoking your country style ribs for 3 hours, carefully divide them into three equal portions and wrap each portion securely in aluminum foil.

Then return the foil packets to the smoker and cook for an additional 2 hours.

How to Sauce Your Smoked Ribs

When the ribs are done being smoked, use a basting brush to coat both sides of the pork ribs with a layer of your favorite BBQ sauce.

We love the original flavor of Sweet Baby Ray’s, but any sauce will do!

Leave the ribs in the foil, but do not seal the packets this time.

Then, return your smoked pork ribs to the smoker for a quick 30 minutes until the BBQ sauce becomes caramelized.

When they’re done, remove your country style ribs from the smoker, and hit them with a bit more sauce.

Then serve ’em up hot with your favorite summer side dishes or summertime salads and enjoy!

How to Store and Reheat Your Leftover Smoked Pork Ribs

Store your leftover smoked pork ribs in an airtight food storage container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

When you’re ready to dive into some delicious leftovers, just place your country style ribs on a baking sheet and reheat them in the oven at 350℉ until warmed through.

More Summer BBQ Recipes from Midwest Life and Style

If you enjoy this recipe for smoked country style pork ribs, you might also like these other summertime grilled favorites.

Shop The Post

Want to recreate this look at home? I’ve linked all the finds I used in this post below! Please note, that sometimes things sell out quickly, so if something isn’t available anymore, I’ve linked a similar item that you might love just as much. Happy shopping!

Propane smoker⎟Basting brush⎟Grease bucket for wood pellets⎟Wood chips⎟Food spritzer bottle⎟Meat tongs⎟Mixing bowls⎟Measuring spoons

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Printable Recipe Card for Tender Smoked Country Style Pork Ribs