How To Smoke Boneless Pork Ribs? (Explained By Experts)

Are you ready to take your BBQ game to the next level?

Smoking boneless pork ribs is a delicious and satisfying way to impress your friends and family. With a little bit of preparation and patience, you can create tender and flavorful ribs that will have everyone asking for seconds.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to smoke boneless pork ribs to perfection. From prepping the meat to choosing the right wood, we’ve got you covered.

So grab your smoker and let’s get started!

How To Smoke Boneless Pork Ribs?

Step 1: Preheat Your Smoker

The first step to smoking boneless pork ribs is to preheat your smoker. Set the temperature to 225°F and choose your preferred wood. Apple, cherry, or oak wood are great options, but feel free to experiment with different flavors.

Step 2: Prep the Ribs

Wipe down the boneless pork ribs with a paper towel and remove any bone fragments. Drizzle the ribs with olive oil and season on all sides with a mixture of salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.

Step 3: Smoke the Ribs

Place the seasoned ribs directly on the grill grates and smoke for 3-4 hours (or until the ribs reach an internal temperature of 165°F). Make sure to keep an eye on the temperature and add more wood chips as needed.

Step 4: Braise and Finish Smoking

After the initial smoking time has passed, place the ribs in a disposable aluminum pan or cast iron skillet with onions, BBQ sauce, and apple juice. Return to the smoker for another 2-3 hours (or until the internal temperature of the ribs reaches 200°F).

Step 5: Rest and Serve

Once the ribs are done, let them rest for 15 minutes before serving. You can serve them with extra BBQ sauce or braising liquid. These boneless pork ribs pair perfectly with smoked mashed potatoes or coleslaw.

Choosing The Right Cut Of Boneless Pork Ribs

When it comes to smoking boneless pork ribs, it’s important to choose the right cut of meat. While boneless pork ribs can come from various parts of the pig, the most common cuts are the country-style pork ribs and the pork loin back ribs.

Country-style pork ribs are cut from the top side of the rib part and are much fattier than pork loin back ribs. They are extremely tender and can be braised or grilled as pork cutlets. If you choose to smoke country-style pork ribs, make sure to keep an eye on them as they can easily become overly dry.

Pork loin back ribs, on the other hand, are leaner and come from the top of the ribcage. They are smaller and have less meat than country-style pork ribs, but they are more flavorful. When smoking pork loin back ribs, make sure to choose slabs with good meat coverage over the bones and no large areas of surface fat. Avoid slabs where the meat has been cut too close to the bone (known as “shiners”) as these exposed bones may fall out during cooking.

For best quality, try to avoid buying ribs that are frozen or have been previously frozen. While there may not be much difference in quality in the finished product between fresh and frozen ribs, fresh is always best if you have a choice. Cryovac packages containing 1-3 slabs of ribs have usually not been frozen, but there are exceptions and they do sometimes turn up frozen in grocery stores. Ribs sold in loose slabs by the case (not in Cryovac) are commonly sold frozen.

Experiment with different cuts and sizes of boneless pork ribs to find your favorite. Remember that each slab is unique and may vary in tenderness even when cooked the same way. With a little practice and patience, you’ll be able to smoke delicious boneless pork ribs every time.

Preparing The Meat For Smoking

Before smoking boneless pork ribs, it’s important to properly prep the meat to ensure it’s flavorful and tender. Here are some tips for preparing the meat for smoking:

1. Remove any bone fragments: Before seasoning the meat, make sure to remove any bone fragments that may be present. This will ensure that the meat cooks evenly and doesn’t have any unwanted chewy bits.

2. Season the meat: Rub the ribs with olive oil and season with a mixture of salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. You can also use your favorite dry rub or marinade to add even more flavor to the meat.

3. Inject the meat (optional): Injecting the meat with a mixture of butter, herbs, or broth can add extra flavor and help keep the meat juicy during the long smoking process.

4. Let the meat rest: After seasoning or injecting the meat, let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or up to 24 hours) before smoking. This will allow the flavors to penetrate the meat and make it more tender.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your boneless pork ribs are flavorful, tender, and perfectly smoked.

Seasoning Your Boneless Pork Ribs

Before smoking your boneless pork ribs, it’s important to season them properly to enhance their flavor. You can use a variety of seasonings to achieve the perfect taste, but a simple and effective mix includes paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, dried thyme leaves, oregano, cayenne pepper, and fine sea salt.

To make the seasoning mix, combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well until combined. You can use the seasoning immediately or store it in an airtight container for up to 12 months.

To season your boneless pork ribs, sprinkle the seasoning mix evenly onto a plate or a pie plate. Then, rub the ribs in it until they are coated on all sides. Make sure to massage the seasoning into the meat to ensure that it penetrates deep into the meat fibers.

Alternatively, you can also use your favorite BBQ sauce to add flavor to your boneless pork ribs. If you choose to use BBQ sauce, sprinkle a light coat of kosher salt and black pepper before searing the ribs. Then, coat them with your favorite BBQ sauce before placing them in the smoker.

Choosing The Right Wood For Smoking

When it comes to choosing the right wood for smoking boneless pork ribs, there are a few things to keep in mind. First and foremost, it’s important to avoid using softwoods like pine and cedar, as they can ruin both the meat and your smoker. Instead, opt for hardwoods like hickory, oak, maple, pecan, or alder.

Hickory and maple are excellent choices for pork, as they add a savory bacon-like flavor to the meat. Oak is also a great option, especially for beef brisket and sausages. Pecan wood is similar to hickory but milder in flavor, making it a good choice for those who prefer a less intense smoke flavor.

Alder wood has a light and delicate flavor that works well with fish and poultry. It is also the traditional wood used for smoking salmon in the northwestern United States.

Fruit woods like apple, cherry, and peach are mild smoking woods that add a touch of sweetness to the meat. They’re great for lighter foods like poultry or fish and sometimes pork.

Ultimately, the best wood for smoking boneless pork ribs will depend on your personal preference and what’s available in your area. Just remember to use hardwoods and avoid softwoods, start with a small amount of wood chips or chunks, and keep an eye on the temperature to ensure the perfect balance of smoke and flavor.

Setting Up Your Smoker For Optimal Results

To achieve the best results when smoking boneless pork ribs, it is crucial to set up your smoker properly. Here are some tips to help you get started:

1. Preheat your smoker: Before you start smoking the ribs, preheat your smoker to 225°F. This will ensure that the temperature is consistent throughout the cooking process.

2. Choose the right wood: The type of wood you use can greatly affect the flavor of your boneless pork ribs. Apple, cherry, or oak wood are great options that pair well with pork.

3. Monitor the temperature: Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature of your smoker throughout the cooking process. Make sure to add more wood chips as needed to maintain a consistent temperature.

4. Use a disposable pan or cast iron skillet: After the initial smoking time has passed, place the ribs in a disposable aluminum pan or cast iron skillet with onions, BBQ sauce, and apple juice. This will help keep the ribs moist and tender.

5. Let the ribs rest: Once the ribs are done, let them rest for 15 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to settle and ensure that the meat is tender and juicy.

By following these tips, you can set up your smoker for optimal results when smoking boneless pork ribs. With a little practice and experimentation, you can create delicious and flavorful smoked pork ribs that will impress your friends and family.

Smoking Your Boneless Pork Ribs To Perfection

Smoking boneless pork ribs to perfection requires a bit of patience and attention to detail, but the end result is worth it. Here are some tips to help you achieve perfectly smoked boneless pork ribs:

Step 1: Monitor the Temperature

After placing the pork ribs in your smoker, set up a thermometer to monitor the internal temperature of one of the ribs. If you have hot spots in your grill, monitor the temperature of the rib closest to the hot spot. Set an alarm to go off when the internal temperature hits 155°F.

Step 2: Spritz with Apple Juice

Spritz the ribs with apple juice every hour until they reach an internal temperature of 155°F. This will help keep them moist and add some flavor.

Step 3: Braise and Finish Smoking

Once the ribs hit 155°F, remove them from the smoker and place them in a large roasting dish or disposable pan. Add a half cup of apple juice to the roaster, along with four one tablespoon pats of butter. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and return to your smoker. Push your smoke probe through the foil into one of the ribs and set up the temperature alarm to go off at 180°F. Adjust the temperature of your smoker to 275°F and let those ribs cook for about 60 minutes until they come up to temperature.

Step 4: Brush with BBQ Sauce

When the internal temperature of the ribs hits 195°F, remove them from the roasting pan and place them back on the grill rack. Brush each rib with your favorite BBQ sauce and let them cook at 275°F until the sauce caramelizes on the ribs.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

Once they’re done, let them rest for 15 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in tender and juicy boneless pork ribs.