Prepare the ribs and rub

1. Mix the dry rub ingredients together in a small bowl. Rather than specifying the exact amounts, focus on the percentages and make a proportional amount to the number of ribs you are smoking. I don’t like to run short on my rub and have to either skimp or make a second batch so I always err on the side of having some extra.
2. Trim off any excessively large or loose pieces of fat or meat to the ribs. However, be sure to leave a nice even layer of fat on the topside so you end of with a trim and tidy shaped rib. Set all the ribs in a cookie sheet.
3. Score both sides of the ribs in a 1” diamond shape pattern. Since the fat layer isn’t that thick, watch your depth and don’t score it as deep as you would on a brisket.
4. Evenly smoother the yellow mustard on all six sides of each rib.
5. Generously sprinkle the dry rub onto the ribs and work it into the score marks so that all six sides are evenly covered. See photos. Now take a photo and post it to Instagram to make your friends jealous.
6. Cover the ribs with plastic and let the ribs setup in the fridge for at least one hour. Remember to pull them from the fridge and let them come up to temperature before they go onto the smoker.

Prepare the smoker

I used my Big Green Egg, but the overall procedure works on whatever smoker you are using. Always start with a clean smoker and good quality lump charcoal.

1. Load your smoker with enough charcoal to sustain about a 4 hour cook. In the large BGE, this was about just under the ½ mark to the line.
2. Start a small fire and get the smoker up to 225. Keep a close eye on the size of the fire as it warms up so that the smoker doesn’t get too hot. At this stage it’s much harder to cool the fire down than it is to bump it up a few degrees.
3. Open first beer.
4. Add your wood of choice, which in this case was 2-3 chunks of Hickory.
5. If you are using a BGE, add the plate setter and a water tray with hot (not cold!) water. I use medium size aluminum plans.

Now you’re ready to put the ribs on the smoker. You did remember to take them out of the fridge before you started the fire right?

Smoking the ribs

1. Load the ribs, bone down, fat side up on the grates, leaving about an inch between the ribs.
2. Smoke the ribs at 225 for about two hours until the internal temperature gets to 180-185. I used a Flame Boss so I just dialed in the two probes and let the Flame Boss do the work. If you’re curious what internal temp any protein you’re cooking should reach, be sure to check out our BBQ Calculator!
3. After about 165, occasionally spritz the ribs with Apple juice to keep them moist.
4. While the ribs are smoking, prepare the Texas Crutch/Foil Stage broth. Do this well in advance of the ribs reaching their target temperature so that everything is done ahead of time. Somewhere around beer number 3 is a good time to shoot for.

Texas Crutch/Foil Stage

1. Mix all of the broth ingredients together in a saucepan and simmer on low heat for 20-30 minutes.If you are using an outdoor burner on your grill, watch the temperature so that it doesn’t get to a boil.
2. Allow the broth to cool to room temperature and set aside covered.
3. Set aside two large pieces of tin foil sized to the number and size of your ribs. Fold the edges up on one of them to make a shallow tray to receive the ribs and broth.  
4. Once the ribs have reached 180-185, place them in the foil tray, and gently, but generously spoon the room temperature (not cold) broth over the ribs.
5. Fold all of the edges up and then cover it with the second piece of foil, overlapping any seams.
6. Return the wrapped ribs to the smoker until the internal temperature reaches 200-205, about one hour. I bumped up the temperature slightly on the smoker at this point, but you will need to use your own judgement there.

Final: Set Stage

1. Return the smoker temperature to 225 or lower.
2. Once the Texas Crutch phase is over, return the uncovered ribs to the smoker.
3. Let the ribs set for 30-60 minutes. We pulled them a little early simply because we wanted to eat before Hunter woke up.
4. Place the ribs on your serving platter of choice and tent the ribs for about 10 minutes before serving.
5. Sit down and prepare to enjoy some great beef short ribs!