If you're looking for a ribs recipe to make your tastebuds rave, you've found it!  My party ribs recipe that's detailed below will quickly become your go-to for BBQ party ribs because they are the best party ribs you'll ever try!  The full party ribs recipe is at the bottom of the page.

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These are the perfect way to start with a whole rack of pork ribs, and add your favorite dry rub and sauce along with a few pats of butter, and you've got something really special that becomes a finger food that's easy to serve to your guests.  The best thing about this ribs recipe is that you don't sacrifice any flavor or quality for the convenience factor that you gain with them.  

Starting by slicing them apart brings you a larger surface area for flavor where the smoke, seasoning, and sauce to absorb into.  You get a really nice bark all over the ribs, not just on the top.   Said a little differently when you cut the ribs into individual pieces instead of one full rack of ribs.  Those individual bones make great handles to eat at the party or tailgate!

Let's Prep:

The first thing we need to do to make sure these party ribs come out perfectly is to prepare our tools and ingredients and have them close to your working area.  The first thing we'll do is prep the baby back ribs.

You can also use spare ribs if you like a bigger cut. I like to trim any excess fat from the rack of ribs, as it ensures that the ribs cook more evenly and don’t get greasy. When trimming, make sure to keep the back of the ribs clean for a more polished presentation.

Once the ribs recipe is prepped, you’ll need to slice the rack of ribs into individual ribs. I recommend using a sharp knife to ensure clean cuts between each individual bone. Now that your individual ribs are ready, it’s time to apply the seasoning to this ribs recipe.

You’ll want to generously coat both sides of the individual ribs with your favorite BBQ rub or rib rub. This rub is what gives this ribs recipe that delicious bark and flavor profile we all love. Don’t be shy with the rub, and make sure each rib is fully covered. You can also use a thin layer of yellow mustard to help the rub stick, but this is optional. Once the ribs are well-coated, it’s time to fire up the pellet smoker.

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Recommendation for BBQ Rub: Queen Bee Honey BBQ Rub (discount link)

Let's Cook:

My favorite ribs recipe!

Let's get this ribs recipe cooking. Preheat your pellet smoker to 225°F. While it’s heating up, take a baking sheet or large foil pan and line it with some heavy duty foil for easy cleanup later.

Now, it’s time to get the ribs on the smoker. Place them meat side up on the wire rack or directly onto the pellet grill. Keep in mind that we're using indirect heat, so the smoker should maintain a steady temperature without direct flames hitting the ribs. Let the ribs smoke for about 2.5 hours. Every 45 minutes, I like to spritz the ribs with a little bit of apple juice or water to help keep them moist and encourage that smoky flavor to soak in.

After 2.5 hours, it’s time for the next step in this ribs recipe. Remove the rack of ribs from the smoker and place them in a large foil pan. This is where the magic happens. Add brown sugar, butter (about 4 tablespoons of unsalted), and BBQ sauce to the pan. I use a sweet BBQ sauce for this ribs recipe but feel free to get creative with your favorite flavor profiles. Mix everything together until the ribs are well-coated, and then cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil. Return the sealed pan to the smoker and let the ribs cook for another 1.5 hours.

Let's Eat:

After the ribs have cooked in the foil for an hour and a half, it’s time to remove the cover. Let the ribs sit open in the smoker for another 30 minutes. This step helps develop that nice bark and gives the ribs a beautiful mahogany color. Once the cooking time is up, remove the ribs from the smoker and allow them to cool slightly.

When it’s time to serve, the ribs should be tender ribs that fall off the bone. I love to serve these party ribs with some sides of the ribs slathered in BBQ sauce, and a big pile of napkins for everyone to dig in. The best part? If you have leftover ribs, they taste just as good the next day! Store any extra party ribs in an airtight container in the fridge.

The best ribs are those that are perfectly smoked, and this recipe is hands down the best way to cook party style ribs for any occasion.

Final Tips

For even more delicious ribs, experiment with different seasonings and rubs to make the recipe your own. You can add hot sauce for a little kick or a sprinkle of black pepper to enhance the flavor. I prefer to cook these ribs on a pellet smoker, but you can also use a traditional smoker or grill for that extra smoky flavor. The key is to maintain that low-and-slow cooking process to get juicy ribs every time.

This recipe works well for any BBQ party ribs, game days, or whenever you want to impress your friends and family with the best BBQ ribs they’ve ever tasted.  Leave me a comment below if you're going to make these, or if you have and what you thought about them, or if you made any variations!

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• Pulled Pork Recipe: BBQ Garlic Bread Leftovers
• Brisket Bombs – Leftover BBQ Recipe
• Brisket Cheeseball Recipe

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