Traeger Baby Back Ribs

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The weather is warming up, which means it’s time to smoke my favorite meats on my Traeger Grill! I love waking up early on a summer morning to throw some meat on the smoker to cook all day. The result? Delicious, amazing meat, with my Traeger doing most of the work! This Traeger Baby Back Ribs recipe is no exception.

These Traeger ribs are not only delicious, but they’re also Whole30, Keto, and Paleo! Smothered in a homemade dry rub and served alongside my homemade BBQ sauce, you will be back for seconds in no time!

an over head shot of traeger baby back ribs, pickles, white onions, and a jar of bbq sauce with a wooden brush next to it.

What Makes This Recipe Great

These Traeger ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender and incredibly juicy and satisfying. My homemade dry rub is simple and doesn’t include any kind of sugar or sweetener. Best part? This rub can be used on pork chops or even chicken, so save your leftovers for the next bbq!

I grew up close to Memphis TN, so we take our BBQ very seriously. Anytime I make something on the Traeger, I always serve it with fresh pickles, homemade BBQ sauce, and thinly sliced white onions. Serve with your favorite sides, or with mine, you just can’t go wrong!

labeled ingredients for traeger ribs

Ingredient Notes

Ribs

Baby Back Ribs: I love going to the meat counter to get my ribs, but feel free to use ribs you have on hand from your freezer, or wherever you buy your meat!

Apple Juice: Make sure to choose no sugar added apple juice if you are on a Whole30 or eating Keto.

Coconut Aminos: These are easy to find at local grocery stores like Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, Aldi’s, etc. They are Whole30 compliant!

Rib Dry Rub

This dry rub is super easy! Simply combine chili powder, garlic powder, pepper, ground mustard, salt, cayenne pepper, cumin, & onion powder! That’s it!

labeled step by step photos for how to make this recipe

Recipe Step by Step

Traeger Smoker Method

  1. Combine all the dry rub ingredients in a mixing bowl. Mix together until combined.
  2. Add the apple juice and coconut aminos to a bowl and mix them together. Brush half of the juice mixture all over the ribs, front and back. (Leave the remaining juice for later)
  3. Once the juice is on, sprinkle both sides liberally with the rub mixture. ( I leave some extra for later)
  4. The following is how Traeger recommends cooking the ribs: Start the Traeger on Smoke with the lid open until a fire is established (4-5 minutes). Turn temperature to 275 degrees F and preheat, lid closed, for 10 to 15 minutes. Place ribs on grill; close lid and cook for 45 minutes.
  5. Remove the Traeger ribs from the grill and place them bone-side down on a large sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Pour the rest of the juice mixture over the ribs. Sprinkle a little more of the spices over the ribs. Wrap up the ribs completely with the foil and seal the edges.
  6. Return the ribs to the grill and cook for 1 hour. Remove your Traeger ribs from the foil and place them directly on the grill grate. Turn the heat up to 350 degrees F and cook for 30 additional minutes.
  7. Remove ribs from the grill and let rest for 10 minutes. Serve with my homemade BBQ sauce, pickles, and onions.

See the Recipe card below for Oven Method!

a close up of cooked bbq ribs

Homemade BBQ Sauce

I usually prefer these Traeger ribs with a dry rub and not slathered in BBQ sauce, however, I have found that my homemade BBQ sauce adds great flavor on top of the dry rub. While it is perfect without adding any additional BBQ sauce, this does give it a burst of flavor that spices it up a bit.

a closeup photo of traeger ribs, white onions, whole dill pickles and a jar of bbq sauce

Mac’s Pro Tips

Homemade BBQ Sauce:  CLICK HERE for my homemade Whole30 BBQ Sauce

Cook time: Cooking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of your ribs. 

Dry Rub: You may or may not use all of the dry rub seasoning on your Traeger ribs. This will vary in how much seasoning you like on your ribs. 

Spice Level: If you want your ribs to be milder, cut the cayenne pepper to ½ tsp.

a wooden handled brush with bbq sauce next to a glass jar of bbq sauce, ribs, and white onions

FAQs

Can I make a big batch of the dry rub and the BBQ sauce?

Yes! Feel free to double or triple the batch. The recipe below is enough to cover your Traeger baby back ribs slabs with a pretty thick layer. If I want to keep some on hand so it’s easy to grab, I will make a triple batch and store it in my Weck Jars.

As far as my homemade BBQ sauce, I usually say it will last in the fridge for up to 3 weeks. It is a great condiment to have on hand to spice up any protein option during the week. Click here for my homemade BBQ recipe.

What pellets are the best to use for smoking?

Depending on the meat you are cooking will depend on what pellets you will use. When cooking pork, I always use cherry pellets and find that it gives pork an incredible flavor, including these Traeger baby back ribs. If you are unsure of what pellets to choose, click here to see the chart Traeger has that breaks down their pellets and how to use them.

What if I don’t have a Traeger, can I cook these ribs in the oven?

Absolutely! I have a great oven recipe that I have included in the instruction below. Although the oven method is tasty, I still highly suggest splurging and investing in a Traeger Grill. It will change your BBQ game! Once you’ve had Traeger ribs, you’ll never go back!

Which Traeger grill do you have?

I have the Traeger Pro Series 574 and I absolutely love it!

a cloesup of a hand holding one bbq rib with bbq sauce smothered on top

More BBQ Recipes

Hawaiian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

BBQ Sheet Pan

Healthy Memorial Day Recipes

Traeger Baby Back Ribs

By: Ashley McCrary
These juicy Traeger baby back ribs are fall-off-the-bone amazing! Featuring homemade dry rub & BBQ sauce, my Keto & Whole30Traeger ribs are simply perfect!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4 -6 servings

Ingredients  

Ribs

  • 2 slabs Baby Back Ribs
  • 1/2 cup apple juice (no sugar added)
  • 2 tbsp coconut aminos

Rib Rub

  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp ground mustard
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper (cut to ½ tsp if you don’t like it spicy)
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp onion powder

Instructions 

Traeger Smoker Method

  • Combine all the dry rub ingredients in a mixing bowl. Mix together until combined.
  • Add the apple juice and coconut aminos to a bowl and mix them together. Brush half of the juice mixture all over the ribs, front and back. (Leave the remaining juice for later)
  • Once the juice is on, sprinkle both sides liberally with the rub mixture. ( I leave some extra for later)
  • The following is how Traeger recommends cooking the ribs: Start the Traeger on Smoke with the lid open until a fire is established (4-5 minutes). Turn temperature to 275 degrees F and preheat, lid closed, for 10 to 15 minutes. Place ribs on grill; close lid and cook for 45 minutes.
  • Remove the Traeger ribs from the grill and place them bone-side down on a large sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Pour the rest of the juice mixture over the ribs. Sprinkle a little more of the spices over the ribs. Wrap up the ribs completely with the foil and seal the edges.
  • Return the ribs to the grill and cook for 1 hour. Remove your Traeger ribs from the foil and place them directly on the grill grate. Turn the heat up to 350 degrees F and cook for 30 additional minutes.
  • Remove ribs from the grill and let rest for 10 minutes. Serve with my homemade BBQ sauce, pickles, and onions.

Oven Method

  • Preheat oven to 250 F. Cover a baking pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
  • Combine all the dry rub ingredients in mixing bowl. Mix together until combined.
  • Add the apple juice and coconut aminos to a bowl and ix together. Brush half of the juice mixture all over the ribs, front and back. (Leave the remaining juice for later). Once the juice is on the ribs, sprinkle both sides liberally with the rub mixture. (Leave some extra for later).
  • Add both slabs of ribs onto the pan bone side down. Bake for 2 1/2 to 3 hours depending on the size of your ribs. Remove the ribs halfway and add a little more juice along with seasoning.
  • Remove from grill and let rest 10 minutes. Serve with my homemade BBQ sauce, pickles, and onions.

Notes

 CLICK HERE for my homemade Whole30 BBQ Sauce
Cooking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of your ribs. 
You may or may not use all of the seasoning. This will vary in how much seasoning you like on your ribs.
Remove the brown swerve for the whole30 
You can also sub Worcestershire sauce for the coconut aminos. This is not whole30

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe?Mention @healthylittlepeach or tag #healthylittlepeach!

About Me

Mother, wife, cookbook author, recipe creator an open book

Welcome to Healthy Little Peach. I’m Mac, the lady behind the recipes. I believe in living a healthy lifestyle that consists of a mix of healthy whole foods, and full-fat comfort meals. Life is too short not to enjoy good food while maintaining a healthy body and mind. Here you will find gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, keto, and even full-fat comfort recipes. Let’s have fun in the kitchen together!

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2 Comments

  1. These are fabulous.. do you think they would work on the instant pot & then a quick grill under the flames ??