Smoked beef ribs are the newest (and most glorious) meat trend to hit the BBQ scene. The best BBQ platters have these huge chunks of meat on them. They are made of beef and are full of delicious flavor.
Smoking beef ribs results in finger-licking, fall-off-the-bone meat with an incredible depth of flavor. However, the prolonged cooking time required to properly smoke ribs can cause them to dry out. This is where spritzing comes in handy. Spritzing is the process of using a spray bottle to frequently coat the ribs with a liquid as they smoke. This helps keep the ribs moist and adds another layer of flavor.
But what exactly should you spritz beef ribs with? There are numerous options, ranging from fruity juices to vinegars, that will take your ribs to the next level. In this article, we’ll explore the top spritz mixtures to use when smoking beef ribs along with tips on technique. Let’s get saucy!
Why Spritz Beef Ribs?
Spritzing serves two key purposes:
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Moisture: Frequently coating the ribs helps prevent moisture loss during the long smoking time. This keeps them tender and juicy.
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Flavor: Spritzes infuse the meat with more taste as the liquid permeates the surface.
Spritzing every 30-60 minutes is recommended Don’t wait until the ribs look dry – stay ahead of moisture loss
Best Spritzes for Beef Ribs
Here are the most popular options for spritzing ribs
Apple Juice
Sweet apple juice adds a kiss of fruity flavor. It also contains sugars that will caramelize into a beautiful bark.
Apple Cider Vinegar
The classic choice. Apple cider vinegar provides a bright tang that cuts through rich, fatty ribs. It also tenderizes.
Beer or Wine
For boozy ribs, use a light beer or white wine. The alcohol will evaporate, leaving behind flavor.
Fruit Juice Blends
Get creative with combinations like grapefruit-pineapple or cranberry-orange juice.
Brines or Marinades
Using leftover brine or marinade provides a flavor boost. Avoid sugary sauces which can burn.
Beef Broth
Savory beef broth amps up the meaty taste and keeps ribs supple.
Oil or Melted Butter
Oil or butter help retain moisture and promote browning without added flavor.
Water
Plain water will keep ribs from drying out without altering flavor.
Spritz Recipes for Beef Ribs
Here are a few specific spritz recipes to try:
Apple Cider Spritz
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup apple juice
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp salt
Beer Spritz
- 12 oz beer
- 1⁄4 cup olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp chili powder
Wine Spritz
- 1 cup white wine
- 1⁄4 cup lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp minced herbs like rosemary or thyme
Fruit Juice Spritz
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1⁄4 cup honey
Savory Spritz
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1⁄4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbsp smoked paprika
Spritzing Technique and Tips
Follow these best practices when spritzing your smoked beef ribs:
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Use a clean spray bottle to apply the spritz. Misting the ribs allows even coverage without over-saturating.
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Spritz every 30 minutes to an hour throughout the smoking process. Set a timer to remember.
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Lightly coat both sides of the racks. Take care not to wash off the rub.
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Use the spritz at room temperature. Cold liquids can shock the meat.
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Spritz with smoker lid closed to distribute moisture evenly.
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Let the spritz sit for 2-3 minutes before closing lid to allow absorption.
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Refrigerate and reuse leftover spritz up to 5 days. Discard if it smells spoiled.
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Avoid sugary sauces and marinades as spritzes since these can burn.
Achieve Perfectly Cooked Ribs Every Time
Smoking tender, juicy beef ribs requires patience, but the reward is well worth it. A flavorful spritz will keep your ribs from drying out while adding another layer of taste. Experiment with apple juice, vinegar, broths and more to find your favorite. Spritz generously every half hour or so for finger-licking results.
With the right cut of ribs and a killer dry rub, a moisturizing spritz is the final step to smoked beef rib perfection. Your patience will pay off in tender, fall-off-the-bone meat with a caramelized crust that will have everyone begging for more. Fire up the smoker, mix up a batch of spritz and enjoy incredible beef ribs!
How Long to Smoke Beef Ribs
It will take about 8-10 hours to fully smoke beef ribs. This time can be different for each rack of ribs, so give yourself a lot of room to move if yours takes longer or shorter than this guide.
Rather than smoking based off cooking time, go off the internal temperature of the meat. The temperature of the meat will guarantee your food is cooked to the perfect doneness.
What are Beef Ribs?
To begin, let’s talk about the cut of beef you’re looking for when smoking beef ribs. I know that sometimes that sea of meats at the grocery store can be intimidating. Skip the pre-packaged stuff and simply ask your butcher for beef ribs. These beefy, beautiful ribs are from the bottom end of the ribs. There is usually about 1 to 2 inches of meat on top of the bone.
There is no need for back ribs in this recipe. If you want to make this cut, I have a recipe for Beef Back Ribs. Those have hardly any meat on the bone and only about an inch of meat between bones. These ribs are often called “shiners” because there isn’t much meat on top. Instead, the bones show through while they’re cooking.
The thick cuts that are the best for smoking come in two different varieties.
- Chuck ribs. They usually come in a 4-bone beef rib section. The bones are usually a little shorter and have a little less meat on them.
- Plate ribs. The beef rib should have three big bones and more meat on top of them.
Different pitmasters prefer different cuts, but either one works perfectly with this recipe. Because that’s what my butcher had in stock, I used a 4-bone section of chuck ribs for this, but plate ribs would work just as well!
When I made this recipe on the second episode of Food Network’s BBQ Brawl, it went over really well. I used my awesome Homemade Coffee Rub for that challenge, and the judges loved it. But my Hey Grill Hey Beef Rub tastes even better on these ribs.
Also, I was under a time crunch on BBQ Brawl, so I smoked between 275 and 325 degrees F to have these ribs done in under 5 hours. When you have the time, definitely cook at 250 degrees F for a longer period of time. 
When it comes to big, beefy cuts like these smoked beef ribs, I like to keep the seasonings pretty simple. You gotta just let the meat and the smoke do the talking. I did add a little element of heat by using Dijon mustard to keep everybody on their toes. It’s not spicy, rather a warm and amazing melt-in-your-mouth bit of smoked beef rib goodness.
All you need to season these ribs is my Beef Rub. This is a great dry rub made with salt and pepper that goes well with grilled and smoked beef. You can purchase this from the Hey Grill Hey Store. You can use Kosher salt, coarse black pepper, and garlic powder in equal amounts if you don’t have any on hand.
Competition Style ribs experiment: Spritzing vs no spritz| Does Spritzing matter? | Lone Star Grillz
FAQ
What do you spritz beef ribs with when smoking?
What is the best spritz for ribs?
What do you spray on smoked beef ribs?
What can you spray on ribs besides apple juice?
What is a good spritz for ribs?
However, as the spritz must be sprayed in a fine mist, this sugary element is often a fruit juice rather than solid sugar. Apple juice and white grape juice are popular favorites, and both work well with the flavor of ribs. You will also find that a lot of spritz recipes include some form of acid, such as vinegar or lemon juice.
What is the treatment for pain in the ribs?
Rib pain could be due to an inflammatory condition; anti-inflammatory medication and analgesics can bring down the pain. Home remedies include applying a cold compress on the area of pain.
How do you Spritz ribs?
Spritzing involves spraying the ribs with a flavored liquid during the cooking process, either on a grill or in a smoker. This is a great way to add flavor to your ribs, as well as giving you plump, moist, and perfectly tender meat that falls off the bone. Are you feeling inspired to try out spritz for ribs at your next summer barbeque?
Do you need a spritz when cooking ribs?
This means that the cooking time could increase by as much as 20%. So if you normally smoke your rack of ribs for 5 hours, you will need to add on an extra hour when a spritz is used. So, when do we start using the spritz if you’re cooking ribs?