St. Louis-Style Smoked Ribs
3-2-1 method: 3 hours smoke, 2 hours wrapped, 1 hour sauced. Fall-off-the-bone but with bite. Competition ribs don't actually fall off the bone.
Gochujang and soy sauce glaze replaces BBQ sauce in the final phase. Serve with pickled daikon and steamed rice.
Remove membrane from bone side of ribs. Trim excess fat.
Mix dry rub and coat ribs generously on both sides. Let sit overnight in the fridge.
Smoke at 225F for 3 hours with hickory or cherry wood. Spritz with apple cider vinegar every 45 min.
Wrap in foil with butter, honey, and a splash of vinegar. Return to smoker 2 hours.
Unwrap, brush with BBQ sauce. Return to smoker 1 hour unwrapped to set the glaze.
The bend test: grab one end with tongs. The rack should bend 90 degrees without breaking. If it breaks, it's overcooked.
3-2-1 method: 3 hours smoke, 2 hours wrapped, 1 hour sauced. Fall-off-the-bone but with bite. Competition ribs don't actually fall off the bone.
No sauce. Heavier on the paprika and cayenne in the rub. Memphis style is smoke and spice without glaze.
Finish smoked thighs with a hot sauce and butter glaze instead of the white sauce. Best of both worlds.
Pecan-wood chicken thighs. The Alabama white sauce on the side is not optional. Competition circuit secret: scrape off the rubbery smoked skin and replace with a butter-basted finish.