Competition-Style Smoked Beef Ribs with Spiced Dry Rub

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Beef ribs seasoned with a bold, spiced dry rub and smoked slowly to tender perfection, ideal for serious BBQ lovers. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 445 minutes pairs beef ribs (flanken cut), kosher salt, coarse black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 700 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 420 min Serves 6 American cuisine 700 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your smoker to 225°F and soak 3 cups dry apple wood chips in water for 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: In a bowl, combine 3 tbsp kosher salt, 2 tbsp coarse black pepper, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, and 1 tsp cumin to make the dry rub.
  3. Step 3: Lightly coat 5 lbs beef ribs with 2 tbsp yellow mustard to help the rub adhere, then generously apply the dry rub all over the ribs.
  4. Step 4: Place the ribs on the smoker grate, add the soaked apple wood chips to the smoker box, and smoke for 6-7 hours until the ribs are tender and have a deep mahogany bark.
  5. Step 5: Remove ribs from the smoker and let rest for 15 minutes before slicing between the bones.
  6. Step 6: Serve the smoked beef ribs hot with your favorite BBQ sides for a flavorful and hearty meal.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Competition-Style Smoked Beef Ribs with Spiced Dry Rub take to make?

Total time is about 445 minutes (25 min prep + 420 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Competition-Style Smoked Beef Ribs with Spiced Dry Rub?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep beef ribs (flanken cut) from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Competition-Style Smoked Beef Ribs with Spiced Dry Rub?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Competition-Style Smoked Beef Ribs with Spiced Dry Rub for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Competition-Style Smoked Beef Ribs with Spiced Dry Rub?

American bbq & smoked like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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