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Perfectly smoked Memphis dry rub ribs, tender and savory

Classic Memphis Dry Rub Ribs

Experience the true taste of Memphis with these slow-cooked pork ribs, generously coated in a flavorful dry rub and cooked to tender perfection.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

Ribs
  • 2 racks (about 2.5-3 lbs each) pork spare ribs or baby back ribs
Dry Rub
  • 1/4 cup, packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon coarse salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon celery salt

Equipment

  • butter knife
  • paper towel
  • small bowl
  • plastic wrap
  • oven
  • heavy-duty aluminum foil
  • baking sheet
  • grill
  • cutting board

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Remove the silver skin membrane from the back of the ribs using a butter knife and paper towel, then trim any excess fat.
  2. Combine brown sugar, paprikas, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, peppers, mustard, and celery salt in a bowl and mix well.
  3. Generously apply the dry rub all over both sides of the ribs, pressing it gently into the meat for full coverage.
  4. For best results, cover and refrigerate the rubbed ribs for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow flavors to meld.
Cooking
  1. Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C), or prepare a grill for medium-low heat if using.
  2. Place the rubbed ribs on heavy-duty aluminum foil, wrap them tightly to create a sealed packet, and place on a rack or baking sheet.
  3. Bake for 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the ribs are very tender but still cling slightly to the bone.
  4. Remove ribs from oven, discard foil and liquid; then either increase oven to 375°F (190°C) or prepare grill.
  5. For oven finish, bake unwrapped ribs on a baking sheet for 15-20 minutes until a crust forms. For grill finish, grill for 10-15 minutes per side until a beautiful crust develops.
Serving
  1. Transfer the finished ribs to a cutting board, tent with foil, and let rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Removing the silver skin is key for tender ribs. Marinating the ribs overnight helps the flavors penetrate better. Be careful not to burn the rub during the final crisping stage.