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Pitmaster-Style Smoked Ribs

Want to know a few of the secrets pitmasters use to make tender, juicy, flavor-packed ribs? Our award-winning Texas pitmasters are putting two methods to the test—from a simple seasoned rack to injected ribs with layers of flavor—to show you how to make incredible smoked ribs at home.

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Prep Time 30

Cook Time 4 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Ingredients

For Both Racks

2 racks pork ribs
Yellow mustard for binder
BBQUE TEXAS Here Piggy Piggy Seasoning
BBQUE TEXAS OG + SP Seasoning for Kyle's method

Kyle's Pitmaster Injection

Prepared pork injection*
BBQUE TEXAS OG + SP Seasoning
BBQUE TEXAS Here Piggy Piggy Seasoning
Goya ham-flavored seasoning

Kyle's Sweet & Savory Wrap

Brown sugar
Butter sliced
Maple syrup
Cherry jalapeño BBQ sauce
BBQUE TEXAS Here Piggy Piggy Seasoning

Kyle's Final Glaze

Apple bacon jam
Cherry jalapeño BBQ sauce
BBQUE TEXAS Here Piggy Piggy Seasoning

Abram's Raspberry Chipotle Wrap

Brown sugar
Butter sliced
Fischer & Wieser Roasted Raspberry Chipotle Sauce

Abram's Final Glaze

Fischer & Wieser Roasted Raspberry Chipotle Sauce
Original BBQ sauce
*The video demonstrates Kyle's homemade injection technique rather than giving a strict measured formula. Use your favorite pork injection as the liquid base and season to taste.

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Video

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Pitmaster Secret: Should You Inject Ribs?

That's exactly what we wanted to find out.

We cooked one rack with injection and one without, then put them to a taste test.

The verdict? The injected ribs had noticeably more moisture and a stronger flavor throughout the meat. But the simpler, non-injected rack still turned out tender and packed with flavor—and the raspberry chipotle glaze was a standout.

So do you have to inject ribs?

No.

But if you're chasing extra moisture and layers of competition-style flavor, injection is one more pitmaster trick worth trying.

Simple or Competition-Style? You Decide.

That's the beauty of ribs.

You can keep them simple with a great pork seasoning, butter and your favorite glaze and make an incredible rack. Or you can go all-in—injecting, layering seasonings, building a flavorful wrap and finishing with a custom glaze.

Both methods work.

Our advice? Cook two racks, try them both and let your own tailgate crew pick the winner.