Introduce your taste buds to a hearty adventure with our Smoked Bison Ribs recipe. Beginning with a simple yet flavorful dry rub, each rib is coated generously, enhancing its natural richness. Through a gentle two-hour smoke, the bison meat absorbs the flavours of the grill, developing a tender texture while preserving its earthy taste. After that, wrapped snugly in foil and bathed in beer, the ribs are returned to the grill for an additional two hours, where the bison meat tenderizes to perfection, intensifying their savory character. A final step is a baste with your preferred BBQ sauce adds a sweet and tangy note, complementing the bison's bold flavor profile without overwhelming it.
Sweet & Savory Smoked Bison Back Ribs
Rated 5.0 stars by 2 users
Category
Bison
Cuisine
American
Author:
Courtney Johnston
Servings
2
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
2 hours 5 minutes
The final result is a meaty feast that showcases all the glory of outdoor cooking – juicy ribs infused with smoky goodness and balanced by the hearty flavor of bison meat. With each bite, you'll enjoy the perfect blend of flavors, cooked to perfection on the smoker. This dish will impress your guests and satisfy even the most discerning palate.
Ingredients
-
2 racks of bison ribs
- Dry rub - ingredients below
- 1 can or bottle of beer
- BBQ sauce of your choice
-
¼ cup of brown sugar
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp Smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp ground mustard
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon - (trust us on this one- it works with the bold taste of the bison)
- ½ tsp celery salt
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
Dry Rub
Directions
Prep the Ribs: Start by removing the membrane from the back of the ribs. This helps the rub penetrate the meat better. TIP: use a small knife to pry up a piece of it, then grip it with a paper towel and pull it off.
- Apply the Rub: Generously apply the dry rub to both sides of the ribs, ensuring an even coating. You can adjust the amount of rub based on your personal preference.
- Preheat the Smoker: Preheat your smoker to 225°F (107°C). Use wood chips or chunks of your choice for smoke flavor. See the notes at the bottom of the recipe for popular wood options for cooking Bison
- Smoke the Ribs: Once the smoker is at the right temperature, place the ribs directly on the grate, bone side down. Close the lid and let them smoke for about 2 hours. Maintain a steady temperature throughout the smoking process.
- Wrap in Foil: After 2 hours of smoking, remove the ribs from the smoker. Lay out two sheets of aluminum foil large enough to wrap each rack individually. Place each rack on a sheet of foil, fold up the edges and pour in some beer, then wrap them tightly.
Return to the Smoker: Place the wrapped ribs back on the smoker and continue cooking for an additional 2 hours. This helps tenderize the meat and infuse more flavor. After the wrap, the meat will be soft and pulling away from the bones.
- Apply BBQ Sauce: After 2 hours of being wrapped, carefully unwrap the ribs. Brush BBQ sauce generously over both sides of the ribs.
- Finish on the Smoker: Place the sauced ribs back on the smoker, unwrapped, for another 10-15 minutes. This allows the sauce to caramelize slightly and enhances the flavor.
- Check for Doneness: The ribs are done when they reach an internal temperature of about 200°F (93°C) and the meat is tender. You can also check for tenderness by gently probing the meat with a fork.
- Rest and Serve: Once done, remove the ribs from the smoker and let them rest for a few minutes before slicing. Serve with your favorite sides and enjoy!