Traeger Baby Back Ribs
Published May 22, 2022 Updated Jul 11, 2023
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
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!
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!
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!
Recipe Step by Step
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.
See the Recipe card below for Oven Method!
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.
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.
FAQs
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.
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.
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!
I have the Traeger Pro Series 574 and I absolutely love it!
More BBQ Recipes
Hawaiian Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Traeger Baby Back Ribs
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
Equipment
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
These are fabulous.. do you think they would work on the instant pot & then a quick grill under the flames ??
Oh my gosh, yes! That would be amazing.