
MESQUITE SMOKED BABY BACK RIBS OVER BEER
Bold, Smoky BBQ Perfection
If you love deep smoke flavor, fall-off-the-bone tenderness, and bold barbecue aroma, these Mesquite Smoked Baby Back Ribs Over Beer deliver everything a true BBQ lover craves. Slow-smoked with mesquite wood and gently steamed over beer, these ribs develop layers of smoky richness, savory depth, and mouthwatering juiciness that rival any championship pitmaster’s ribs.
This method combines traditional smoking with beer-infused moisture, creating ribs that are smoky on the outside and irresistibly tender inside.
Why You’ll Love These Ribs
-
Deep Mesquite Smoke Flavor – Bold, authentic BBQ taste
-
Fall-Off-the-Bone Tender – Beer steaming keeps ribs juicy
-
Perfect for Backyard BBQs – A true crowd-pleaser
-
No Fancy Equipment Required – Works on smokers or grill setups
Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
-
2 racks baby back ribs
-
2 tbsp yellow mustard (binder)
-
1/4 cup BBQ dry rub (sweet-smoky preferred)
-
2 cups beer (lager or amber works best)
-
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
-
Mesquite wood chunks or chips (soaked if using chips)
-
Aluminum foil
Optional Mop or Glaze
-
1/2 cup BBQ sauce
-
2 tbsp beer
-
1 tbsp honey or brown sugar
Preparing the Ribs
1. Remove the Membrane
Flip ribs bone-side up and remove the silver skin membrane for better tenderness and smoke penetration.
2. Season
Lightly coat ribs with mustard, then generously apply BBQ dry rub. Let rest 30–60 minutes (or refrigerate overnight for deeper flavor).
Smoking the Ribs Over Beer
Step 1: Preheat the Smoker
Preheat smoker or grill to 225–250°F (107–120°C). Add mesquite wood for steady smoke.
Step 2: Smoke the Ribs
Place ribs bone-side down on the grate. Smoke uncovered for 2 hours, maintaining steady mesquite smoke.
Step 3: Beer Steam (The Tenderizing Phase)
Place ribs on heavy-duty foil. Add beer and apple cider vinegar. Seal tightly and return to smoker.
Smoke for 1.5–2 hours, allowing the beer to gently steam and tenderize the ribs.
Step 4: Unwrap & Glaze
Carefully unwrap ribs and place back on the smoker. Brush with BBQ glaze (optional). Smoke uncovered for 30–45 minutes until bark forms and sauce tightens.
How to Know When Ribs Are Done
-
Internal temp: 195–203°F (90–95°C)
-
Meat pulls back from bones
-
Rack bends easily without breaking
Pro Tips for Perfect Mesquite Ribs
-
Go easy on mesquite—it’s strong; balance with beer moisture
-
Use lager or amber beer—avoid overly bitter IPAs
-
Wrap tightly to trap steam during the beer phase
-
Rest ribs 10–15 minutes before slicing
Best Side Dishes for Smoked Ribs
-
Creamy coleslaw
-
Smoked baked beans
-
Cornbread or grilled corn
-
Potato salad
-
Pickles and onions
SEO-Friendly Keywords
-
Mesquite smoked baby back ribs
-
Smoked ribs over beer
-
Baby back ribs smoker recipe
-
Mesquite BBQ ribs
-
Beer smoked ribs
Final Thoughts
These Mesquite Smoked Baby Back Ribs Over Beer are bold, smoky, juicy, and unforgettable. The mesquite delivers authentic BBQ character, while the beer steaming step ensures unbeatable tenderness. Whether you’re hosting a backyard cookout or perfecting your smoking skills, this recipe is a guaranteed showstopper.
Fire up the smoker, crack open a cold beer, and enjoy ribs done the right way.
- 3 slabs baby back ribs
- rib rub (your preference)
- 6 or 12 pack beer
- mesquite chips
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 1 1/3 cups cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 cans (about 16 oz) tomato sauce
- hot sauce
- salt
- fresh pepper
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- yellow mustard
- dash cayenne pepper
- 2 sweet onions
- 2 green peppers
Gas Grill Recipes INSTRUCTIONS
Note: Good smoked ribs require tender loving care, and while not overly difficult, are time consuming.
The Sauce:
Heat olive oil in a medium sauce pan on medium heat, then sauté onion and garlic 2-3 minutes. Add the vinegar and cook for 3 minutes. Add remaining ingredients, per your taste and bring to a low boil; then reduce to a simmer for one hour.
Cool; then serve or refrigerate, as this may be made a few days ahead to allow you to relax while the ribs cook.
Depending on the amount of "bite" you like, adjust the amount of salt (approximately 2 teaspoons) hot sauce (approximately 3 teaspoons) and mustard (3 or 4 good squirts) and cayenne (a few dashes)
The ribs:
1 Day ahead - liberally rub the ribs with your favorite rub (store bought or homemade). Wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap, and then in aluminum foil. Refrigerate for one day.
Soak chips in water for about 30 minutes, then dry. Heat one side of the gas grill, and add the chips. When they start smoking, add the ribs, cut in half slabs, to the opposite side of the gas grill, preferably on a top rack. You may stack them if needed.
Pour one can beer into a disposable aluminum pan, and place over the heat at the back of the gas grill (this will create some moisture inside to self-baste ribs).
Cook on a low heat. Use a gas grill thermometer to ensure a temperature of 200-225°F degrees. Close the lid to allow the ribs to soak the smoke flavor up, but monitor the temperature, and add chips as needed to keep the smoke billowing.
Every 15 minutes or so baste the ribs - I boil a mix of cider vinegar, lemon juice, hot sauce, pepper, Worcestershire and a little mustard for this.
When the ribs are close to being done, but not quite, I pull them. Rib cook times vary - at this temperature about 3-4 hours would be a good time to check.
When the meat has cooked down from the bone, and the ribs sag on the ends when picked up in the middle by tongs, remove them from the gas grill.
Preheat the oven to 200°F.
Cut into slices sweet onion and green pepper Place these into the bottom of a baking pan. Cover with beer and water. Slather the ribs with BBQ sauce - then place into the pan Seal tight with aluminum foil and bake for 1-1 1/2 hours.
Remove - Open - Serve!! Remaining beers may be consumed anytime at chef's discretion! The Gas Grill recipe of smoked baby back ribs is ready to serve..enjoy it !
gas-grilled-la-redfish recipe

.jpeg)


.jpeg)