Tag: How to Inject Ribs

  • Dry Rub Seasoning for Ribs

    Dry Rub Seasoning for Ribs

    Dry Rub Seasoning for Ribs is what comes to mind as we now officially enter BBQ season! This is a rib rub that was rated Best Rub On the Planet in 2022. When it comes to color, taste, and eye appeal, this pork rib rub just works for ribs!

    Dry Rub Seasoning for Ribs – What Makes It Different?

    The dry rub seasoning for ribs we are referring to is Butcher BBQ Honey Rub. It is a sugar and honey-based BBQ rub that was voted “Best Rub On the Planet” in 2022.

    This honey BBQ rub was crafted by David Bouska, pitmaster and founder of Butcher BBQ. David has been in the meat business for 34 years. With that amount of knowledge, it has allowed him to formulate flavor combinations that are a spot-on match for BBQ ribs.

    David has used this rib rub to win numerous competitions. Two championships in particular are the World Champion BBQ Pitmaster of 2012 and 2018. So, David knows what he is talking about when it comes to BBQ.

    Dry Rub Seasoning for Ribs - Rib Rub - Smoker

    May 2025 – We Are Officially in BBQ Season!

    Ok, so back to dry rub seasoning for ribs. As I write this, it is May 2025, and it is officially BBQ season. The weather is finally warming up for most of the country. It’s time to dust off that smoker and start cooking some ribs!

    The birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, “April Showers” have passed and “May Flowers” are blooming!  

    What’s that, you received a new smoker for Christmas? Well, what perfect timing to fire it up and smoke some ribs.

    If you are new to BBQ, we have a blog that explains the “Difference between Ribs and Spare Ribs”.

    Dry Rub for Ribs

    This dry rub for ribs is amazing by itself, but you could use it as a base layer when creating a flavor profile.

    But to be honest, I have smoked ribs with only this rub. I did not add any BBQ sauce or glaze and it is perfect by itself. 

    The brown sugar and honey notes are an amazing compliment for pork ribs! I can see why it was voted Best Rub On the Planet.

    How Many Racks of Ribs Will It Dust?

    You may be wondering, “How many racks of ribs will this dry rub seasoning for ribs coat?” Well, if you were not thinking about it, you are now!

    Each bottle will cover 4-5 racks of ribs. Now don’t hold me to that number exactly. It, of course, is only a “ballpark” estimate because it depends on how heavy you coat each rack of ribs.

    Dry Rub Seasoning for Ribs – Pro Tips

    Here, so this is geared for new pitmasters, I wanted to include a few pro tips for our pork rib rub: 

    1. Let the rib rub rest.
      • After dusting the ribs, we suggest letting the rub sit for 30-45 minutes before smoking.
    2. Low and slow is best
      • Get the pit grate temp around 225-250 degrees, and you are good to go!
    3. Don’t cook by time, cook by temp.
      • This is one we cannot stress enough. Cooking by time will get you in trouble.
      • If you have heard of the 3-2-1 rib method, toss that out the door.
      • Cook your ribs to around 165 degrees before wrapping. Then cook them to 195-203 degrees.
      • All ribs are different, so this could take 3 hours or 5 hours.

    Mistakes to Avoid

    1. Overcooking the ribs
      • This goes back to cooking by temp and not time.
      • Check doneness with a probe thermometer.
      • Overcooked ribs turn mushy, and the rub’s crust can become soggy.
    2. Undercooking the ribs
      • Undercooked ribs are chewy and tough.
      • Use that probe thermometer and ensure they hit the 195–203 degree sweet spot.
    3. Too Much Dry Rub for Ribs
      • Butcher BBQ Honey Rub can be strong, so start with about ¼ cup per rack of ribs.
      • Piling on too much pork rib rub can overpower the meat.
    4. Skipping the Rest
      • After cooking, let the ribs rest for 10–15 minutes and tent in foil.
      • This locks in juices and keeps the rib rub’s flavors intact.

    In Conclusion

    Ok, so there you have it. An award-winning dry rub seasoning for ribs at your fingertips and some pro tips. Why wait any longer? Grab a bottle and start cooking! We would love to hear about your cooks, so please leave us a comment below!

    Also, before I forget, take a minute to look at our blog “How to Inject Ribs”. This process complements Butcher BBQ Honey Rub for your rib cooks!

  • How to Inject Ribs

    How to Inject Ribs

    BBQ ribs are a go-to meat for any pitmaster. When you learn how to inject ribs, it changes everything! Your St. Louis ribs, babyback ribs, and spare ribs will be bursting with moisture and flavor!

    BBQ Ribs That Squeeze Out the Moisture

    Let’s be honest: sometimes ribs come out a little dry. I’ve done it, you’ve done it, and if you haven’t, you will. It’s inevitable.

    Now imagine biting into a juicy, flavorful pork rib! A St. Louis rib so full of moisture you can literally squeeze the juices out! That’s what I’m talking about!

    Why Inject Pork Ribs?

    Why inject ribs? It’s simple: to add moisture and flavor. Injecting ribs changes the flavor profile internally and complements your BBQ rub.

    What Do You Inject Ribs With?

    You can inject ribs with anything from apple juice to BBQ phosphates. We recommend using Butcher BBQ Phosphate and Butcher BBQ Pork Injection. These are what the pros use for injecting ribs in competition!

    The phosphates lock in moisture at the cellular level, and the pork injection adds an amazing flavor that has won championships!

    How to Inject Ribs - Inject Pork Ribs - BBQ Injector

    What Are BBQ Phosphates?

    BBQ phosphates are a type of salt that “grab” water and hold onto it when you inject your ribs. Learn more in our blog post on “What is BBQ Phosphate Injection?”

    What You Need to Inject Ribs

    When you plan to inject ribs, you only need a few tools:

    The Rib Injection Process

    Now to the fun part! Measure out the recommended quantity of BBQ Phosphate and Pork Injection. Slowly add the dry ingredients to water and mix thoroughly to remove clumps.

    Many pitmasters inject ribs from the top, but we suggest injecting from the side. In our experience, this results in better bark formation.

    Inject one side of the ribs, spin it around, and inject the other side. Piece of cake!

    How Much to Inject?

    Pork ribs aren’t the thickest meat, so you don’t need much—about 2-3 cc of injection per side. Our BBQ Injector lets you dial in specific amounts! Using the smaller needle, set the chrome circular dial to 2 or 3 cc. Each pull injects that exact amount.

    How to Inject Ribs - Inject Pork Ribs - BBQ Injector Dial

    Pull the trigger as you remove the needle, and you’re done! Each rib should hold about 50 cc of fluid total. You’ll know it’s full when fluid starts shooting out the top or sides.

    How to Inject Ribs - Injecting Ribs for Competition

    In Conclusion

    Now you know how to inject ribs! You have the tools and the knowledge, all that’s left is to take action!

    How to Inject Ribs - Inject Pork Ribs - BBQ Rub

    We’d love to hear about your process! Please leave us a comment below!