Party ribs are the way to go when you want that juicy, smoky rib flavor without waiting forever. Since they’re cut into individual ribs, they cook much faster than a whole rack and taste just as good. Toss them in your favorite seasoning and sauce, and boom—you’ve got a finger-licking meal that’s perfect when hanging out with friends and family.
Table of Contents
In this recipe, we're going to discuss:
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How to make party ribs
To make party ribs, you cut the raw rack into individual ribs, season them, and then smoke them. This method became popular in 2024 and is a fun twist on traditional ribs. This is now my preferred way to make pork ribs!
The difference between party ribs and a rack of ribs
A rack of ribs is a whole set of ribs cooked together and then sliced into individual ribs once finished. Party ribs are when each rib is cut apart in the beginning and cooked separately. This makes them cook faster and have more flavor all around.
How long do party ribs take to cook?
Party ribs cook quicker than a whole rack. Instead of taking 5-6 hours, they can be ready in just over 2 hours.
How many ribs per person for a party
It depends on the type of ribs and what else you're serving with them. Here’s a quick guide to help:
- Baby Back Ribs – These are bigger and meatier, so 4 to 5 ribs per person should be enough.
- Pork Spare Ribs – These are smaller, so plan for about 6 ribs per person.
If ribs are the main food, people might eat more. But if you have lots of sides or other meats, they will most likely eat less. Some guests love ribs and will eat a ton, while others won’t eat as many. Just keep these things in mind, and you’ll have the right amount for your party!
Party Ribs Recipe
Ingredients
Main
- 1 Racks of St. Louis Ribs or Baby Back Ribs
- 1/2 cup BBQ Sauce
- 4 tablespoons Rump Shaker All-Purpose BBQ Rub, or more to taste, substitute favorite BBQ rub
- 1 Sheet of aluminum foil
- 1 Aluminum pan, optional
BBQ Tools
- ThermoPro Instant Read Thermometer - a must-have for any BBQer
Steps
Preheat the smoker to 275°F
Preheat your smoker to 275°F. Most pellet grills don’t need it, but you can add a pan of water in the corner of the smoker to keep moisture inside.
Prep the party ribs
As an optional step, remove the membrane from the bottom of the ribs and any silver skin, or ask your butcher to remove it for you. Slice the ribs between each bone and discard any small ribs with little meat from the smaller end.
Season the ribs
Sprinkle the rub over the ribs and toss to evenly coat. I like to place the ribs in a deep dish or aluminum pan to make it easier to toss the party ribs in the seasoning.
Smoke the party ribs
Place the ribs on the smoker bone side down and smoke for 1 1/2 hours or until the ribs reach an internal temperature of around 170°F. I highly recommend using a meat thermometer.
Coat the party ribs in BBQ sauce
Once they reach 170°F, place the ribs in an aluminum pan and pour in the BBQ sauce. Toss the ribs until the ribs are evenly coated in the sauce. For added favor, add a few tablespoons of butter, 2-3 tablespoons of brown sugar, and a drizzle of honey. Place a sheet of aluminum foil over the top and crimp tightly to seal the edges.
Continue cooking the party ribs
Place the pan on the smoker and continue cooking for 1 hour. The internal temperature of the ribs should be around 205°F-207°F. If not in this range, continue cooking and check the temperature every 15 minutes.
Let the party ribs rest
Remove the ribs from the smoker and let rest for 10-20 minutes.
Toss the ribs and serve
After the party ribs have finished resting, remove the aluminum foil and toss them a few times in the sauce mixture at the bottom of the pan. Place the ribs on a serving plate and pour the remaining sauce evenly over them. Enjoy!
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