I’ve really been slacking on my blogging duties lately. To make up for my recent lack of content, today’s blog post is going to be in real time. Like when Apple announces a new iPhone the tech blogs post real time pictures and comments, I though it would be cool to try it with a BBQ cook. The good thing about BBQ is that is takes and long time and gives me plenty of time to compose my posts.
2. Smoking the Ribs 2:00 PM
Once the charcoal was lit I threw on a couple of chunks of apricot wood. The chunks were really dry, so I soaked them in water for 15 minutes before putting them on the coals. Soaking the wood will keep it from igniting and burning up and also create a nice even smoke.
I only want a flavor of smoke these ribs will cook un wrapped for 2 hours. Smoke it great but too much smoke will turn these babies bitter and nobody is going to like that.
There is so much meat to cook I had to break out the 3rd tier. I close the lid and let them cook at 225-250F. I’m not going to open the lid until the 2 hours of smoking time is done.
3. The Wrap 4:30 PM
The Ribs have smoked for a little over 2 hours. Now it’s time for the wrap. Using a really big piece of foil I place the ribs bone side down in the middle. Cup the sides of the foil and then pour in about a quarter cup of of white grape or apple juice. Today I decided to use the white grape . Any liquid will work, I’m just trying create some steam to tenderize the ribs, adding a hint of flavor is secondary.
Before wrapping I also sprinkle some more BBQ Rub on the rib.
I wrapped the ribs up really good and placed it back on the smoker for another 2 hours.
*Update: Ribs were a little too tender. Only need 1 1/2 hours in the wrap.
I have tried cooking ribs without the foil wrap but the ribs turn out dry and the end ribs were charred.
4. Finishing up 6:30
After two hours in the foil wrap I took the ribs off the smoker, unwrapped them and returned them to the grill for about 30 minutes to crust up a before serving.
The ribs have finished cooking and now it’s time to eat. Here we’ve got green chile ribs with verde sauce and BBQ Ribs. The ribs were delicious an were the best ribs I have made to date. The green chile ribs were my favorite. The spicy sweet flavor or the green chile paired well with the smoke and pork. The habanero oil added a nice bite to the chile, it was very nice. The BBQ rice ware also very good, the sweet rub created a nice spicy and sweet bark on the rib, it was similar to the bark on a pork butt.
![]() |
BBQ & Green Chile Ribs |
My only complaint is they were a little too tender and they were falling of the bone. I wanted them to be a little firmer and stick to the bone. To get the ribs firm i think they only need 1 1/2 hours in the foil wrap. I guess I’ll just have to cook up another rack or two until I get it right.
I hope you all enjoyed my real time blog. It was fun and I learned a lot about writing and cooking ribs. Besides what fun would it be if I my blog and ribs were perfect every time??
Good job, we enjoy green Chile with our ribs too, try honey for a sweetener and an apple juice mop, that with your green Chile rub should be just right.
BSG
I enjoyed reading this “real time” style post.
And this is a great primer for first-time rib smokers!
I”m sorry you left out the salsa verde sauce recipe tho. Us East Coasters could use some guidance there.
Excellent post! Love the step by step! Most folks really don't know what to do with a full slab bought at their grocer. This post goes a long way to getting most folks up and running with their own ribs at home! Nicely done!
I started off as a 3-2-1 guy for spares but these days I am more along 2.5-1-1. The ribs really don't need too much time braising. But for someone who wants “fall off the bone”, 2 hours would be perfect, don't you think?