Smoked Beef Back Ribs with Coffee-Infused Dry Rub
Slow-smoked beef back ribs seasoned with a robust coffee and spice dry rub, delivering deep smoky flavor and tender meat. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 340 minutes pairs beef back ribs, ground coffee, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs beef back ribs
- 2 tbsp ground coffee
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 cup apple juice
- for smoking wood chips (hickory or oak)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp ground coffee, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp chili powder, and 1 tsp smoked paprika to make the dry rub.
- Step 2: Pat dry 3 lbs beef back ribs and rub the dry mixture evenly over all sides. Let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Step 3: Preheat smoker to 225°F and add hickory or oak wood chips to produce smoke.
- Step 4: Place the ribs bone-side down on the smoker rack and smoke for about 5 hours, spritzing every hour with 1 cup apple juice to keep the meat moist.
- Step 5: After 5 hours, check for tenderness; ribs should be tender and pulling back from the bone. Remove from smoker and let rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smoked Beef Back Ribs with Coffee-Infused Dry Rub take to make?
Total time is about 340 minutes (40 min prep + 300 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 Smoked Beef Back Ribs with Coffee-Infused 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 back ribs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Smoked Beef Back Ribs with Coffee-Infused 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 Smoked Beef Back Ribs with Coffee-Infused 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 Smoked Beef Back Ribs with Coffee-Infused 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.
