In North and South Carolina, barbecued ribs are traditionally rubbed with a dry spice rub, then slow-smoked for several hours. Carolina-style barbecued ribs are juicy and succulent with a tangy flavor from being basted with Carolina barbecue sauce. Baby back ribs are small pork ribs. Pork ribs are not low in fat or calories, but by choosing healthier cooking ingredients such as healthy oils and homemade barbecue sauce without preservatives, Carolina-style ribs can be an indulgence that won't do too much damage to a healthy eating plan.
Step 1
Peel the silver skin membrane off of the bone side of a rack of baby back ribs, using a sharp knife to help loosen the skin.
Step 2
Brush the ribs with olive oil using a pastry brush, then rub your favorite spice rub mixture into the meat. Use a prepared rub blend or make your own to cut back on the preservatives and large amounts of salt found in prepared rubs.
Step 3
Cover the ribs in plastic wrap and place them in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours.
Step 4
Pull the ribs from the refrigerator 45 minutes before you start cooking them so the meat can come to room temperature.
Step 5
Preheat a gas or charcoal smoker until the inside temperature reaches 220 F. Add applewood or hickory chips to the chip tray in the smoker.
Step 6
Place the ribs on the smoker's grates and close the lid. Smoke the ribs for six hours, keeping the temperature in the smoker between 200 and 250 F.
Step 7
Baste the ribs with apple cider vinegar every hour during the first five hours of smoking time. Add more wood smoking chips or charcoal as needed to keep the smoker cooking. Baste the ribs every 10 minutes during the last hour of cooking.
Step 8
Check the internal temperature of the ribs with a meat thermometer to test for doneness. Pull the ribs from the smoker when the internal temperature of the meat reaches 160 F.
Step 9
Serve the ribs warm with Carolina-style barbecue sauce, either purchased or homemade.
Tips and Warnings
- Make your own healthier spice rub by combining chili powder, paprika, black pepper, dry mustard, kosher salt, dried oregano, ground cumin and ground coriander.
- Cut back on the fat and calories in the dish by eating the ribs plain, without extra barbecue sauce.
Things You'll Need
- Sharp knife
- Pastry brush
- Olive oil
- Dry spice blend
- Plastic wrap
- Applewood or hickory smoking chips
- Apple cider vinegar
- Meat thermometer
- Barbecue sauce
