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Grilling 24x7 » Recipes » How To Make the Best Pellet Grill Ribs

How To Make the Best Pellet Grill Ribs

by Frank Campanella Leave a Comment

Whether you like baby backs or spare ribs, I got all of my best Pellet Grill Ribs in one place. Complete with helpful tips and step-by-step instructions.

holding a juicy sliced baby back rib up wearing black gloves

If you are new to smoking ribs, I recommend you check out my post. Smoking Ribs for Beginners gives you a ton of great information.

Different Types of Ribs

Pork Ribs

Baby Back Ribs: Also known as loin back ribs, these pork ribs are cut from the upper part of the rib cage near the spine. They tend to have smaller bones but are very meaty and tender. A rack of baby back ribs is the most forgiving and best for beginners.

Spare Ribs: these pork ribs are cut from the lower ribcage closer to the belly and are the largest pork ribs cut. the bones tend to be straighter and longer than baby backs. Spare ribs are often meatier but have more connective tissue and excess fat, requiring hours of smoking to become tender.

smoked st louis ribs on a cutting board
St. Louis Style Spare Ribs

St Louis Spare Ribs: These are trimmed down to remove the rib tips giving the rack a more uniform shape. These Ribs are most often used in professional bbq competitions because they have the most meat and present well.

a juicy beef rib dipping
(Pictured) Beef Short Ribs

Beef Ribs

Beef Short Ribs: These beef ribs are cut from the top side of the bovine near the spine and are shorter than beef back ribs but have more meat. They have a lot of connective tissue, so they are best prepared low and slow.

Plate Ribs/ Texas Ribs: these massive beef ribs are often sold in 3 bone potions and are the meatiest of the beef ribs. Also called "Dino Ribs" or "Brisket on a stick," they are very fatty but have lots of flavor and stay juicy when cooked for long periods.

how to make Texas style beef plate ribs
Texas Plate Rib

Beef Back Ribs: These beef ribs tend to be the most affordable beef ribs. Beef back ribs have less meat because they are trimmed so close to other, more prized cuts. These cuts are best cooked low and slow to become tender.

Crosscut Beef Short Ribs: these beef ribs are short ribs that have been cut across the rack into long strips. they are often marinated and grilled over high heat like a steak instead of low and slow.

Game Ribs: There are many different Game ribs, like Bison, Elk, Lamb, and venison, that can be prepared using the same cooking methods as beef and pork. a lot of game tends to be leaner, so you will need to be careful not to overcook and keep the meat moist.

What to look for when buying Ribs

side view ov a baby back rib showing the smoke ring

Equipment Checklist:

Wood Pellets: You are going to have a really hard time making pellet grill ribs without wood pellets. Sadly, we have all had that moment when we realize we want ribs but are out of fuel, and off to the store we go!!

Basting Brush: How on earth are you going to look sexy slathering that bbq sauce on some ribs without a basting brush?? you can go with the classic brush or silicone style. Either way, it's essential unless you intend on using a spoon and looking like a rookie.

Meat Thermometer: Other than the pellet grill itself, this is the most important piece of equipment in bbq. I use the meat probe to test for tenderness as much as I actually take the temperature of the meat. There are a million different brands and styles, but I've had good luck with this one (click here)

Paper Towels: Smoking Ribs is a messy endeavor. Paper towels clean up messes. just get some. They are also fantastic for helping you grip the thin membrane when removing it from the back of the ribs. you can also use a butter knife to help you get a grip.

Nitrile Gloves: Are you even grilling if you don't have a pair of black nitrile gloves on? You could use a different color, but you're not changing bedpans at the senior center. You are grilling meats, so get yourself a box that fits those bear claws you call hands and get over it.

Aluminum Foil: Don't get the dollar store garbage. Get the heavy-duty good stuff!! Pick up a Food Service Foil roll from Costco or Sams Club, and you will have it for years.

Butcher Paper: Im still torn on whether I like foil or butcher paper best for wrapping ribs, but I always have both on hand, and you should too.

Optional Equipment

Cotton Gloves: these are a low-key lifesaver. you put these cotton gloves on below your nitrile gloves, and you can pick up a hot rack of pellet grill ribs without making a high-pitched yelp that's sure to garnish some looks from friends and family. the cotton gloves also make the nitrile gloves easy to put on when it's hot out, and your hands are sweaty.

Rib Rack: If you need to smoke a bunch of ribs at a time these rib racks can be a game changer. I've fit over a dozen racks on a 36-inch pellet grill before using these racks.

Water Pan: Some people like to add a foil pan to the smoker with liquids like apple juice and Worcestershire sauce to keep the racks of ribs moist

Spray Bottle: another good item to have. Spritzing your ribs with apple cider vinegar or apple juice can add moisture and flavor to your pellet grill ribs. (pro tip to avoid clogging only use thin liquids without herbs or anything that can get stuck in the spray bottle) like a dry rub.

bbq wood pellets

Which Pellet Smoker Should I Buy?

The short answer is the one you can afford and the one that meets your needs.

If you only want to cook occasionally and don't need to feed a lot of people, then you can get away with a smaller no-frills pellet grill. these are great for learning and seeing if this is a hobby you actually enjoy before you drop a few thousand on a high-end pellet grill.

I'm not going to start a war and tell you to buy any specific brand, I have cooked with Traegers, Camp Chefs, Pit Boss, and Recteq, and all of them have their pros and cons, but all can produce great Pellet Grill Ribs.

The high-end pellet grill tends to be made with thicker gauge metal and is more durable. They tend to have more features like Bluetooth/Wifi along with multiple probes and Apps to track the exact temp of the meat throughout the cook.

The Economical Pellet Grills are smaller, made with a cheaper metal, and tend just to have a simple dial with just a few buttons.

Rec Tec 700 Pellet Grill

Don't have a pellet Grill and still want to make the best Ribs??

If you don't Have a Pellet Grill yet, don't worry. We got you covered with these rib recipes using other style cookers.

Smoked St. Louis Ribs on an Offset Smoker
Smoked St. Louis Ribs on an offset BBQ Smoker gives you the most authentic flavorful pork ribs you've ever tasted.
Check out this recipe
St Louis Pork Ribs on the Meadow creek SQ36 offset smoker
How to Make Ribs on the Gas Grill
Making Baby Back Ribs on the Gas Grill can be done. If you don't have a smoker you can still make tender smoky baby back ribs on your gas grill that everyone will absolutely love.
Check out this recipe
how to smoke baby back ribs on the gas grill
Baby Back Ribs (Grill Recipe)
Check out this recipe
Baby Back rib sauce

Top 5 BBQ Rubs for Pellet Grill Ribs (In my Opinion)

Utz works bold bbq dry rub seasoning

There are so many great brands of bbq rubs. I don't claim that I have tried them all, but out of the ones I have, these are my favorites!!!

Utz Works Bold

Big Poppa Smoker Money Rub

Killer Hogs The Rub

Eat Zero to Hero

SPG (Salt Pepper Garlic)

Best Wood Pellets For Ribs (In My Opinion)

This will sound like a cop-out, but I don't notice a huge difference between the major brands of wood pellets.

I have tried a bunch of different blends and different woods, and my final product always comes out pretty similar. Strong woods like Mesquite are not my favorite on their own, but I don't mind as part of a blend.

boneless country style ribs with jalapeños and pickled red onions

How to tell when Pellet Grill Ribs are Done?

You will find that there are several ways to tell when your ribs are done cooking.

Temperature Test

Using a meat thermometer, take a temp between the bones in the thickest part of the meat if the meat is between 195 and 205 degrees F. You know the meat is close.

The Poke Test

The true test is to use a probe thermometer and test for tenderness by poking the meat in between the bones. If the probe goes into the meat and pulls out with almost no resistance, you know the ribs are done.

holding a rack of pellet grill ribs up with a pair of tongs

The Tong test

Another method to tell if the ribs are tender is the tong test. Pick up the ribs with the tongs lengthwise so the point of the tongs is in the center of the rack.

gently pick up the ribs. If they feel like they will break immediately, the ribs are probably overcooked. If the ribs seem stiff and don't bend at all. They are not tender yet.

The ideal rack will bend, and you will see the meat beginning to pull apart but not breaking.

Best Pellet Grill Rib Recipes

Party Ribs
Make these mouthwatering party ribs in two hours with this perfect-for-summer Baby Back Rib recipe!
Check out this recipe
Pellet Smoked Ribs (St Louis Style)
These tender smoked St. Louis Ribs on a pellet grill are tender and flavorful. You only need a handful of ingredients and a little patience, and you will have mouthwatering ribs in under just 6 hours!
Check out this recipe
st louis spare ribs on a cutting board
Pellet Grill Beef Short Ribs
Smoked Beef Short Ribs are at times the overlooked BBQ dish, but not anymore. These ribs are easy to make and taste incredible!
Check out this recipe
smoked beef ribs on a wood board
Smoked Country Style Pork Ribs
So satisfying! These boneless smoked country style ribs are tender, meaty, and will be your new favorite cut of pork perfection.
Check out this recipe
boneless country ribs that have been smoked and brushed with sticky bbq sauce
Texas Beef Ribs
You can Make Authentic Texas Style Beef Plate Ribs Just as good as the BBQ Joints in Texas using your Pellet Smoker and a Little bit of Culinary Know-how.
Check out this recipe
texas plate ribs smoked on a pellet grill
Bang Bang Smoked Baby Back Ribs
A fun twist on traditional smoked baby back ribs. If you love baby back ribs but want a little extra kick this is the rib recipe for you!
Check out this recipe
Bang Bang Baby Back Ribs with jalapeños
Hawaiian Style Spare Ribs
Check out this recipe
Hawaiian style spare ribs

Sauces To Serve with Ribs

Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce
Smother your chicken or ribs in something fun, flavorful, and perfectly spicy; this Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce is exactly what your food needs!
Check out this recipe
Mason jar filled with golden mustard bbq sauce
Imperial Stout BBQ Sauce
This Imperial Stout BBQ sauce recipe is loaded with deep rich flavors lending itself perfectly to pork, beef or as well as Irish favorites
Check out this recipe
imperial stout beer bbq sauce recipe
Whiskey Barbeque Sauce
whiskey barbeque sauce Recipe that you can make at home and serve on everything from chicken to ribs.
Check out this recipe
Mason jar of whiskey bbq sauce
Simple Low Carb BBQ Sauce
This is a simple low carb BBQ sauce that is ketogenic diet friendly.
Check out this recipe
Simple low carb keto bbq sauce

Side Dishes That Go Great With Ribs

Classic Southern Coleslaw Recipe
This Southern Coleslaw Recipe has been in my family for generations and is a staple at any family gathering, cookouts and more
Check out this recipe
Classic Southern Coleslaw Recipe
BBQ Corn Ribs
These BBQ Corn Ribs have become one of my friends and family favorite tailgate appetizers. They grill up quick and are a fun unique way to enjoy corn on the cob.
Check out this recipe
corn ribs with dukes mayo
Classic Southern Squash Casserole
This Classic Southern Squash Casserole is a fantastic recipe that loaded with creamy cheesy goodness and a great way to showcase yellow squash.
Check out this recipe
classic southern yellow squash casserole recipe
Smoked BBQ Beans
This recipe for Cast Iron Smoked Baked Beans is the best bbq bean recipe you will ever have. Loaded with 2 types of sausage and 5 types of beans
Check out this recipe
overhead view of cast iron smoked baked beans
Velveeta Smoked Mac and Cheese
Smoked Mac and Cheese is the grown up version of everyones favorite side dish. A kiss of smoke give this Mac the extra kick to take it over the top.
Check out this recipe
Cast Iron smoked Mac & Cheese with Velveeta

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Frank Campanella

If you love grilling, smoking and searing then you have come to the right place. Grilling 24x7 is your home for everything BBQ, Grilling and more. 

You'll find unique grilling recipes as well as a collection of bbq sides and sauces to make your next backyard cookout or tailgate a success.

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The Complete Guide to Grilling Steak - by Frank Campanella - Available wherever books are sold

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