The perfect sugar-free dry rub to coat your St. Louis Style Ribs with tossing on the grill! These ribs are how you celebrate summer!
I’m not really sure how, but we’ve been in the new (to us) house almost a year now. Last year, I envisioned many shindigs at Casa de Crews…until I remembered I have a husband in law school, and the summer semester blows.
…but this year, Jason is taking a summer break! And while we have many a house project, we also plan to have our friends over as often as possible.
And what better way to celebrate summer than with a Backyard BBQ! Jason bought a new grill a few weeks back and has been itching to use it. The first thing to make its way to the new grill were a rack of Smithfield St. Louis Style Pork Spareribs. I had never had St. Louis Style ribs, but after seeing all the comments on my Instagram photo while I was in Walmart, it was obvious St. Louis Style was the way to go!
I love throwing parties in our home, but something like a BBQ shouldn’t cause stress, and should be a laid back event. We’re eating meat off the bone, after all. No need for much fuss, right?
I told friends we would provide the meat (and Pineapple Salsa – because I am obsessed), and asked everyone to bring a side. I wrote out the menu beforehand on an inexpensive chalkboard that I found for under $5 last year.
While I like the whole BBQ theme, I don’t want it to look like gingham threw up in our house, so I had a lace overlay from a previous party that I threw over a gingham tablecloth.
…and though I wouldn’t usually give guests a party favor after eating at Casa de Crews, I thought a fun way to unofficially kick of summer would be to give everyone their own spice rub to take home. The same spice recipe that we used on our Smithfield Spareribs. That way our friends can not only enjoy their own Smithfield Spareribs this summer, but might remember to invite us when the make them too!
The rub, and ribs were both very easy to make (and this rub recipe is sugar-free!). If you think you’d also like to give a spice rub to friends this summer, double up the recipe (below) that way you have enough for your own rack of ribs, and enough to gift to guests.
st. louis ribs with a dry rub recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup paprika
- 3 tablespoons garlic powder
- 3 tablespoons Kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons black pepper - fresh cracked, suggested
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 rack St. Louis-Style Spareribs
Instructions
- About one hour before you plan to start grilling, make the rub: In a bowl, combine all dry spices. Pat the ribs dry with paper towels. Remove the thin membrane attached to the underside of the ribs. Sprinkle both sides ribs with the rub. Set aside at room temperature for one hour.
- Preheat the grill for indirect cooking at 250 to 300 degrees F.
- Place the ribs, meaty side down, over a drip pan, close the grill, and cook for 2 hours.
- Remove ribs from the grill. Double-wrap rack of ribs in heavy-duty aluminum foil. Return wrapped ribs to the grill and cook until very tender, 2½ to 3 hours more.
- Remove from grill, and allow to cool. Cut into slabs of 3-4 and serve.
Nutrition
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Is there a way to make these in the oven? We tried them on the grill and they were great! But we no longer have access to a grill and I would love to make them again!
Hi Katherine! I am so glad you enjoyed. We make ribs in the oven as well sometimes (or slow-cooker) and cook them low and slow. I’d still follow prep instructions from this original recipe (with the rub), and then bake at 300F in either a shallow baking dish or large baking sheet with baking rack – to keep crisp (I’d recommend a baking dish, but if you don’t have one big enough, baking sheet is fine). Bake 1 1/2 to 2 hours for baby back ribs. Halfway through cooking, cover the ribs with aluminum foil to protect them from drying out. Feel free to email me ([email protected]) with questions/feedback!
When I do my ribs in the oven, I use my broiler pan and fill the bottom of the pan with water. It keeps the ribs moist and very tender.
Is it possible to cook the ribs in the oven? We live where it’s going to be below freezing for the game Sunday….any suggestions?
Hi Diane! Yes, of course! I will email you a separate recipe for making these ribs in the oven – thanks!
I’ve never tried a dry rub with ribs before but this is inspiring me to do it. They look sooo good!
They were so so easy, Krista!
Yum, these look so good!! I haven’t had a lot of dry rubbed ribs in my life, but I could definitely handle making these. Have a great weekend, Nichole!
Meg, these are SO easy! Let me know if you try em’ – Happy Weekend!
Ribs are on my summer bucket list, but I haven’t taken the plunge yet. Thanks for the inspiration!
This was actually my first attempt at grilling ribs for summer and I was surprised how easy they were to make! I can imagine you could come up with some amazing spice or sauce, Erin!
Yum!! These ribs look so good.
Yum! I’m just going to come visit you so I can eat all of this delish food you’re always blogging about 😉
Haha, come on down – we’re always eating well 😉
As a St. Louisan, I have to say that St. Louis style is always the way to go! 🙂 Thanks for the recipe.
Oh Yes!! I am heating up the Green Egg this weekend!
This whole post has me drooling! Def using that rub recipe next time we make ribs. My mom and brother are the rib masters in the family!
This rub is so easy! I wish I was better at grilling, but at least Jason is 🙂
I love ribs! They are the perfect summer time dish!
I’m glad you agree, friend!
I am making this rub this afternoon! I am always looking for recipes like this so it’s perfect! 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
What a great idea to give them as gifts! Ribs are a must at BBQ’s!
These ribs were sooo good!