How to Cook BBQ Pork Ribs | Traeger Staples

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When it comes to the perfect rack of ribs, it’s all about the prep and the seasoning. Traeger Pitmaster Matt Pittman shows you how to make it easy and cook perfect pork ribs on the Traeger every single time.
Introduction 00:00
Remove the Rib Membrane 0:18
How to Trim Ribs 1:04
How to Season Ribs 2:22
Step 1 Grill Time & Duration 3:22
How to Wrap Ribs 4:13
Step 2 Grill Time & Duration 6:06
How to Tell When Ribs are Done 6:39
How to Slice Ribs 7:16
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[@Tyler-ec5bz]

Used these techniques and recommendations with a few swap outs of my own seasonings and these were the best ribs I’ve ever had in my life! Very first thing I’ve cooked on my Traeger and it was a complete success. Loved the tips about the visual cues versus the temps. Had I gone off temps alone, I feel like I would have overcooked it. Thanks again and this was VERY useful.

[@anthonyr6840]

Bought my first pellet grill (Z Grill) recently and my first cook were ribs following your instructions. They came out delicious! Thank you for training lol.

[@ashleyd4922]

So, I just smoked baby back ribs on my Traeger for the first time today. I bought some generic rubs at my local Kroger, and used all of your steps to make them. THEY WERE AMAZING!!!! The brown sugar, butter, honey, addition was out of this world and, I fed 6 people, 3 dogs, and zero complaints and didn't have anyone reach for BBQ sauce!! Thank you SO MUCH for your help!! You made me look like a hero!!! Best of luck and can't wait to try some of your other recipes/ideas!!!

[@j7404]

3 dogs?

[@brudbadin]

I’ve made these ribs five times now. Absolutely perfect ribs, thanks for the recipe!

[@xyzlne]

A tip for removing the membrane is roll the ribs up tight with the membrane on the outside. This helps stretch the membrane to. Then grab the end and pull as you un roll the ribs. It works great.

thanks for the tip.

[@KeepWrenchin]

Thank you sir I always struggle and can't wait to try this tip tomorrow.

[@scottcoleman7304]

great tip! thanks.

[@BradThePitts]

Thanks! I've been using needle-nose pliers!

[@MatthewAucutt]

Dude,this was so much easier

[@tinasamson6346]

It was my turn for Neighbor Sunday Dinner and I made these ribs and some smoked baked beans. They were the best ribs I have ever eaten, hands down! Didn’t even need sauce. I got 2 marriage proposals and a ‘that was the best f’n meal I’ve ever had.’ So I’d say it was a success! Thank you for the instructions that were on point! Perfection!

[@JamieThompson-iw9nx]

Just got my Traeger a couple of weeks ago. Have mostly used it for smoking jerky, and maybe a steak or two...and that has been fantastic! I've never tried to use a smoker for anything other than that. But today I decided to use the recipe you show in this video. I followed the steps just like you showed them....and the ribs turned out to be spectacular! I have much more confidence in using the Traeger now. I really wasn't sure what the deal was with the brown sugar, butter and some honey. But when we opend the tin foil it was like a revelation! You could smell the ribs, you could taste the syrupy goodness of the liquid in the bottom of the tin-foil. My family was extremely pleased with everything. Can't wait to see some of your other recipes! Really appreciate what you do for us rookies.

[@etcomehome39]

I am a newbie Traeger user. I followed his recipe last week and the spare ribs turned out awesome. Thanks for sharing!

[@rafaelcordero2455]

My first time using a Traeger, I followed your instructions, OMG!! Incredible!!! Thank you.

[@LocalHotbox]

Did you flip them or nah

[@alda9295]

This was the second thing I made on my new Traeger tailgater, turned out amazing, switched the honey for real Canadian maple syrup, and used rubs i had at home. we were all in awe of how amazing they turned out, I even got a few "these are better than ribfest" comments. I am now a Traeger guy the hype is real.

[@carrow2250]

How’d that maple syrup turn out?

[@drak3y]

@@carrow2250 I tried it with a Grade A dark. Beautiful!

[@Rachel-ul8et]

Maple syrup is great flavor. The advantage honey has is it is very acidic. Cuts the fat

[@AnaxofRhodes]

Explained a ton of stuff I couldn't get from other videos. Thanks, Matt.

[@kennylakits4093]

Finally I made some ribs to be proud of last night. The best one I've made yet. Paying more attention to what the meat is telling you helped me alot. I've tried the 3-2-1 method and never had them come out anything but dry. This was a game changer! THX

[@jeromielavoie7463]

Followed the recipe today and compared Traeger Pork and Poultry vs Meat Church Honey Hog head to head. I stayed with the Hickory pellets, but I did drop the temp for a slower cook. Verdict: Both rubs were fantastic! The color of the Traeger ribs was real nice, but the favorite flavor from the group hands down was the Honey Hog. I also served it with the Dr.Pepper BBQ sauce from another video. Thanks for not only producing easy to follow and awesome videos, but also for the fantastic seasonings!

[@juddsmith7024]

Grest video. I just order a bunch of your rubs last week. So far I used the Holy Gospel on chicken wings and it is great....I like your method on ribs but I like to pull them a little bit earlier out of tin foil and season again. I like to cook them unwrapped so they set a little more either with ot without bbq sauce. Anyways I love what you are doing. You, Malcom, Chef Tom and Kosmo are studs!

[@michaelstaats6514]

This is the best recipe I have done on my Traeger yet. Love your rubs already and the honey hog is definitely top 5 for me. Thanks for the great recipe Matt!

[@shawnledford2892]

Thank you so much for this video. I smoked ribs for the first time tonight. Dude people thought I was the champion of Ribs. Keep doing what you're doing. Thanks again for everything.

[@rgroover007]

This is my go to recipe and I've cooked these about 10 times. They always turn out great and the family loves them. I think that brown sugar, honey, and butter trick really makes it great.

[@-.Steven]

I followed this to a T and got excellent results. That said, I'm sure lower-slower cooking would work great. Here it is 2-12-2023, Superbowl Sunday and I just put 2 racks on the Traeger at 275°, it's on the 30+° outside here in the Rocky Mountains, so I'm not terribly concerned about it getting too hot. I also used peach paper instead of aluminum foil, gotta avoid alzheimers!

[@RobsVette01]

Made them multiple times and they are the best ribs I’ve ever had! Now I just watch the video to get me motivated to make them again!

[@davemurray8840]

Lmao

[@SchusterFishes]

Same bro I even call them “my famous ribs” blows my family’s mind how good they are lol

[@ryanjackson605]

Can't wait to cook these for mother's day. Your brisket recipe was amazing.

[@big_country8734]

Hell yes it was did a picknick roast for mothers day, but that brisket though, got da#n

[@wandabullerwell7207]

Have done these 3 times and today makes 4 on my Traeger and they are the Best ribs ever period!!!

[@matthewmattera3786]

First time every trying to make ribs and followed this step by step and they came out fantastic!

[@darebear6587]

I am Making this today. 3 racks followed recipe 😋. But after I pulled them to wrap i spritz apple juice before the wrap. Will add bbq to 1 rack 😋. Cook for 2hrs 15min fall off the bone. My wife says she's done cooking and now this is all we eat on. Thanks Treager 😊 🙏 😊

[@marthawest3097]

Made these today and they turned out AMAZING 😉. Thank you, for this great recipe!

[@IBroLLyISePhIrOtH]

it looks mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[@DoctorBeau]

Just followed this and they turned out incredible.... raving fans all around my house tonight

[@randallhewitt7870]

I really appreciated the information. Followed the information including the apple juice spritz. Even though I didn't have any Honey Hog rub or brown sugar, I had honey and some Kool Runnings spice which I substituted with. Really pleased with the way the ribs turned out. I will check out where to buy the Honey Hog rub in Ontario, Canada. Thx Matt...great channel.

[@abnada82nd]

I started wrapping my ribs in butcher paper after pulling them off my Traeger and letting them sit for ten to fifteen minutes before slicing. They were amazing!

[@joesleepstatic]

Just made these today. Man o man, amazing results. Following! Cant wait to try another of your recipes.

[@jimwsmith724]

This recipe was the first thing I’ve tried on our Traeger and it turned out awesome. I used a different rub and I sauced them and they had us fighting for seconds. My go to recipe for ribs from now on.

[@TraegerGrills]

We're stoked to hear that you loved it 🔥

[@candidfoxmedia8292]

Shout out to Matt, love the end product. Proud to have you in hachie.

[@Dunetigger]

my first traeger and put on a Lg brisket last night and added these ribs this morning when I woke up. should all be done around lunch today... I can t wait.

[@richarda.2680]

This makes some amazing ribs! Super easy recipe that doesn't require a lot of babysitting which leaves more time for beer. Cheers.

[@Anthony74te27]

I got a Trager pro 22 grill during Christmas and first time I cooked with this method using Pro 22. WOW!!!!!!! literally the meat is falling off the bone. Sooooo good!

[@TraegerGrills]

We're stoked to hear that! 🙌

[@jonate79]

I followed this recipe step by step and I cant believe how perfect they turned out The Meat Chruch seasoning was super Good

[@ecard3173]

I followed this recipe step-by-step and mine came out burnt

[@franciscoascencio8161]

@@ecard3173 How?

[@in2food]

Thanks for these videos. Just enough info without too much needless talking

[@kenshimizu2018]

this is my go to rib method. I use my own rub and substitute maple syrup for the honey. it's a big hit with the family

[@robthewaywardwoodworker9956]

@@kenshimizu2018 Birthday party today: I'm going to try some maple syrup on half the ribs! Thanks for the idea.

[@rj_nbk]

@@robthewaywardwoodworker9956 how’d it work out? Thinking about trying this over the weekend and have read a few comments about the maple syrup substitute. thanks in advance!

[@robthewaywardwoodworker9956]

@@rj_nbk it's usually the sugar that is the kicker for the ribs, so not sure what substitute you're considering. The sugar really caramelizes in the heat. It's like candy!

[@Justin-tp3lr]

Just picked up my first treager today. I got the ironwood 885. I can't wait to try these this weekend.

[@grecoceltlufc6491]

Making these on the Traeger myself for the first time today!

[@nickc2124]

His seasoning game is on point...

[@clou1969]

I did basically the same recipe, but I used Apple Wood and Truly Genuine Maple Syrup that I boiled myself from my gran gran father methods and my sons and wife got absolutely jaw dropping by the taste. Man Thanks For Sharing your knowledge it worked perfectly.

[@nancydee6106]

I did me a little Dijon mustard and holy gospel for the rub! I’m going to kick it up a notch with some butter and maple syrup also spritzing with a sparkling apple cider! Follow this recipe before too it’s A knock out of the park! Best ribs ever

[@patmaples5096]

These are absolutely incredible. Follow recipe EXACTLY - and they are a show-stopper! Thank you, brother!

[@Curlygaga]

The first and second time I made these, I didn't have the Honey Hog, still turned out good. Finally my Honey Hog and Honey Hog Hot arrived. My husband and I ate the entire rack. Can't wait to have friends over and WOW them. Thanks for the video.

[@dabbking]

Honey hog is just sugar

[@Curlygaga]

@@dabbking Yeah, maybe, but it has good flavor!

[@islandvoyager7061]

Made the ribs today. Best I have ever BBqd. Even the neighbor who is not a barbeque lover said she has never tasted better ribs, Thanks Matt!😊

[@greg6point771]

Matt, just made these! Amazing bro! Best thing I’ve ever made on my traeger !!! Cheers

[@mgalen]

Best ribs I've ever made, hands down

[@jasoncampbell6536]

This recipe was perfect. That Honey Hog is amazing!!!!

[@zacgrubble9824]

Excellent video! Thanks and well done!!

[@user-lw5vc2ii2m]

Good video. I like to trim my own St. Louis style ribs then cook the tips separately. But I have to tell you that many old timers do not pull the membrane, and I grew up gnawing the "paper" off the back side of the rib and love it to this day.

[@psych101436]

These videos are fantastic

[@nancyalfaro5074]

My husband got me a Traeger for Christmas and learning to cook in it. Got some St Louis ribs from Costco and Meat Church seasonings and followed this recipe to a T! They came out exactly as they looked on video and so delicious!!!! Trying the white chicken chili next.

[@TraegerGrills]

🙌 We're stoked to hear that, welcome to the Traeger family!

[@francescodox78]

nicely done Matt. I have stopped wrapping my ribs as i love the crunchy bite on the bark...that requires some attention with the spritz...and a bit more patience with a longer cook.

[@cynthiagoodard4023]

This recipe is to die for!! My kids said they never want restaurant ribs again! 😋

[@jimcook6621]

Tried this recipe today. Outstanding!!!

[@maddhendrix]

I ordered a new traeger at Costco last weekend. Cant wait to get it, this will be the first thing I try to smoke!! So excited

[@Thegamingguy4564]

Opinions on yours? Just ordered mine a couple of days ago it's coming in one week

[@maddhendrix]

@@Thegamingguy4564 I've had it for a few months now and it has completely changed the way a feed my family. Everything I've cooked on it, from these ribs, tri tips, pork tenderloin, prime rib, and this Thanksgivings turkey. Every has turned out so good. I smoked some chicken breasts yesterday for dinner and I hate chicken breasts. They are always dry and gross. Using the probe and cooking them to a temp and not a time, with the honey hog rub in this video, it was the best chicken I've ever had. The traeger has made me a believer and my family is eating good. Good luck man!!

[@johndennison9476]

I’ll vouch for this, perfect recipe. Made it tonight, amazing

[@davecruickshank9987]

Did this the other day..FANTASTIC...did not have any honey so substituted Maple Syrup....WOW

[@cookwithkeef9566]

I came here to say I tried this recipe today (using my own spice rub and in the wrapping step, instead of honey I used a smoked garlic hot sauce) 10/10 would recommend. You got a subscribe out of me

[@801sparky2]

Hey buddy tried your way! And wow made the best ribs ever. My family was amazed Thank you soo much 🙏🏼

[@iloveconcrete1550]

Proud owner of a new Pro780 my wife got me for Christmas. Love it. I’ve cooked on it everyday since Christmas. Ribs, whole chickens, chuck roast, burgers and pizza tonight. I love the Traeger and the app/wifire. Much nice cooker than my Pit Boss 820, which I really liked. Great lookin ribs right there👍🏼

[@destinydeleon223]

Love watching Meat Church Matt! We always watch his videos before we open up the Traeger ❤

[@amirbasri2708]

225 seems to work much better for me at least regardless if smoking spare ribs or baby back. I do 2-2-1 method which is appx 2/2.5 hrs on smoker, then 2 hrs wrapped in foil, then another.5/1hr on smoker at 225 or 180 to add more smoke. I wrap them at about 140-160 internal.

[@alexh5944]

Just had the best ribs! Thanks. Happened to shorten the first part by an hour accidentally so it spent an extra hour wrapped. Still turned out amazing.... Dont be like me though and put some seasoning salt and then teriyaki sauce.. Too salty

[@drop3r4]

Following this recipe on memorial day 2020. God bless our men and women in uniform and thank you for your sacrifice.

[@carlosr3099]

I tried this recipe and it was great. Is there any way to keep ribs a bit less fall off the bone? I want to be able to slice them, with this recipe they were falling apart. I sell them so visual it wasn’t too appealing. TIA!

[@gcoffey223]

I've made many racks of ribs. I like this one as it's quick and MMMM GOOD

[@-.Steven]

YEAH! Real Butter! No GMO sludge oils! Yippie! Great video!

[@kscopes1]

we tried your Brisket recipe---perfect--and just now tried the rib recipe--perfect! simple and right on. thanks

[@TraegerGrills]

We're stoked that you loved them 🙌

[@alexmacdonald258]

Imagine my surprise when I unwrapped a package of ribs from my local market here in Washington (state), to find that they were "Prairie Fresh" brand. the rest of the cook, with your rubs and my Traeger, went precisely as shown. I'm "pigging out"! Thanks Matt!!!

[@rbeachy]

Cooked ribs today but they dried out. Cooked at 285 as it was cold & windy out. Didn’t realize I didn’t have enough aluminum foil for 2nd step so ribs were uncovered for 3 hours but I sprayed them hourly with apple cider vinegar. Took them off and wrapped them in foil after a quick trip to store and they were on for another 1.5 hours. Had just over 1/4” pull back on the bones and good flex on ribs when I held it up in the middle. Meat was falling off the bones. Was it just the 10 extra degrees that did this, my rib meat (bought at Safeway), what did I do wrong??

[@michaelcontreras8976]

I Used this video as a guide to do my first que of ribs on my new Traeger. And they came out phenomenal! Love the content you put out!!

[@davidortiz886]

Michael Contreras which Traeger model do you have?

[@michaelcontreras8976]

David Ortiz Eastwood 22 bought it at Hone Depot!

[@alexaliciadavis7163]

I’m getting ready to use our Traeger for the first time tonight, I’m super excited. We ordered those Honey Hog, and Honey Hog Hot rubs. They won’t be in till Tuesday. But it’s all good, I’ve got some different rubs I can use tonight. I can’t wait!

[@derekmortensen1665]

Your going to love it man. I love my traeger and it’s by far the best ribs I have ever eaten or made. Best of luck on your first cook!

[@TraegerGrills]

🔥 We're stoked for you, welcome to the Traegerhood.

[@tkdhav]

These turned out great, thanks!

[@paulamurphy5054]

Making these right now, love your videos :)

[@dingo5208]

Did this today and was not bueno. Ribs looked awesome at 2 and a half hours. Did the wrap for another two hours and the sugar burnt. Like black burnt. The kicker was my temps were running low all cook. I liked the rubs, so I may do them again but skip the add ons at the wrap and then glaze them for the last half hour.

[@PilotDiggerdavid]

Love your rubs! Doing my first Brisket this weekend!

[@susanfophy7481]

Awesome man !!

[@michaellongstreath2405]

Going to give this a try. Will be my first time to do ribs.

[@bcifaldi714]

Did this recipe and the flavor was on point but the bark on the meat side was tough, the meat was perfect. I’m trying to figure out why? Any suggestions would be appreciated. I was wondering if the brown sugar caused it to carmalize. Maybe used to much. I don’t know.

[@jackhammer9775]

Hello! Great video! I have a Traeger Renegade Pro. Love it! Where did you get the gasket around your lid?

[@roystephens568]

I just bought a Traeger grill after watching this video. I have 3 racks of ribs on now!

[@Chris-hm4sn]

How did they turn out. I plan to make some tomorrow I have done whole chickens and other things but I am kind of scared to do ribs

[@roystephens568]

Not good lol. At least not my first set. I have had the best luck with a mustard rub, killer hogs bbq rub, and cooked for 4 hours at 275. No foil.

[@WhiteBullsBBQ]

6:43 "oh yeah" makes me LOL because I Feel matt On The Reveal Vibes

[@jonkarnafel4675]

So I've done this recipe couple times now and it sure it delicious. Only thing is I keep getting a barky/hard layer on the meat site when it's done. I noticed you didn't get it. Any idea what it can be from??

[@infomercialguy]

GREAT VIDEO question do you have to "wait" until the grill is at temp to put meat on? or, should i put it on so it gest more smoky?

[@Healthy_Growing]

OMG!!!! I have been trying to make a good rib for 30yrs I'm not kidding, and this was by far the best rib I ever made.I used the seasoning and the technique only thing I changed was dropping the temp to 250 (didn't have a 275 on my pit boss):)

[@rosah.9385]

First time I have made ribs and they were DELICIOUS!

[@ramsierra5755]

great cook with these instructions very good !

[@danhernandez9681]

I took mine out 30 mins before and they came out amazing. I live in Colorado. I think that might change the cook time.

[@cornfedninja]

matt do i need to let the ribs rest? for brisket or other meats i usually wait 30 min-hr, is it not as important for bbq ribs?

[@americanforever1603]

Can any one tell me .When Traeger. Is going to release a new model of the timberline 1300

[@eyeyron5007]

I followed this method and it was a little jerky texture at the top. Trying the 3-2-1 method today.

[@jaezhole]

Amazing!! I'm brand new to smoking and this was only my 2nd time with the Traeger (my husband got this for me for Valentine's Day bc I had been eyeing it for over a year!) and I definitely nailed it with your help 💯💯. I made one small adjustment after the initial 2.5 hours at 275°, i DECREASED TO 250° for 1h 45m; the reason for this is bc when I pulled them off to wrap them, they were already starting to pull from the bone. End result -- the bones slipped right out of the meat, I had to hold and slice them very carefully; I would've preferred that "competition bite", but still, the flavor and consistency was incredible! Thank you!

[@justinmazzi3623]

I also do this, I find they come up just a bit better.

[@davesnowden7052]

there are so many rib recipes on the Traeger website I can not find this specific one. could you put a link here for this recipe? thanks! I want to try this one on my new Timberline 850!

[@aarone13ae]

Question- What is the purpose of putting the ribs in foil and putting them back on the grill, vs putting them in the oven? Is the pellet flavor going to go thru the foil? I would rather save my pellets for future cooks.

[@jojowill1725]

My pellet grill does not have 275 is it OK to cook them at 300 or 250 thank you ?

[@IBroLLyISePhIrOtH]

Thank you man!

[@derekv275]

Yep found my first rib recipe on my pellet grill. Now salted or unsalted butter?

[@user-hi6uh8sb3m]

If you want it to fall of the bone how much longer do you need to cook them that second time around?

[@1100mrjohnson]

What do you do with the meat that you trim off at the beginning?

[@BradThePitts]

I'm confused, why would you set it to 275? Why didn't you use the "smoke" setting for the first step?

[@kristofsportingdogs3549]

If I want this to eat on a weekday, after work. Can I make this in 2 days? So I then do the first cook the day before, and keep it like that in the fridge. And then the day after (I’m home from work at 17:00) I want to do the second cook in the foil, so then I can eat around 19:00 😀 (sorry, I’m a new at this kind of bbq, my Traeger is being delivered next week, so no experience so far...) Greetings from Belgium 👋

[@codyking3010]

Just completely cook them and put in fridge and the next day throw them back on the grill for 20-30mins until they’re heated through