This Cooking With Friends rib recipe proves that great backyard ribs don’t require complicated techniques or competition-only processes — they come from smart seasoning, steady heat, and understanding how tenderness develops over time. Built on well-marbled St. Louis–style ribs, layered seasoning, and a balanced wrap featuring sweet heat and fruit-forward glaze, this cook delivers ribs that eat clean, stay juicy, and finish with just enough bite.

This recipe comes from a Cooking With Friends episode featuring Mike Starr of Blazing Star BBQ, where the focus wasn’t on chasing perfection but on cooking ribs the way most people actually want to eat them at home. The goal was simple: take quality ribs, season them intentionally, cook them at the right temperature, and finish them in a way that enhances the meat instead of masking it.

Spicy Peach St. Louis Style Ribs w/ Mike Starr of Blazing Star BBQ | Heath Riles BBQ

Mike’s approach to barbecue has always centered on efficiency, flavor balance, and repeatable results. Rather than adding unnecessary steps, he focuses on what matters — understanding how heat affects texture, how seasonings layer, and when ribs are actually done. That mindset carries through this cook, producing ribs that are approachable, flexible, and built for real backyard cooking.

By seasoning the ribs properly, cooking them at 275°F, and wrapping them with a balanced sweet-and-savory glaze, this recipe delivers ribs that are tender without falling apart and flavorful without being overwhelming. They’re built for weeknight cooks, weekend gatherings, and anyone who wants ribs that simply eat right.

If you’re looking for ribs that prioritize texture, moisture, and clean barbecue flavor over rigid rules, these Cooking With Friends ribs deliver.

Why These Ribs Work

A lot of rib recipes fail because they focus too much on one element — sauce, smoke, or tenderness — while ignoring how everything works together. This cook builds flavor in layers and lets the ribs tell you when they’re ready.

The seasoning goes on early and is allowed to sweat into the meat, creating a strong flavor foundation before the ribs ever hit the smoker. Cooking at 275°F renders fat efficiently while keeping the meat juicy. The wrap adds sweetness and moisture without drowning the ribs, and the finish prioritizes texture over fall-off-the-bone softness.

The result is a rib that slices clean, pulls easily from the bone, and delivers balanced barbecue flavor in every bite.

The Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need for these Cooking With Friends ribs and why each ingredient matters.

• St. Louis–style pork ribs. These ribs offer consistent thickness, good marbling, and a texture that benefits from higher finishing temperatures.
• Heath Riles BBQ Garlic Jalapeño Rub. This serves as the base layer. Garlic-forward with controlled jalapeño heat, it builds savory depth without overpowering the pork.
• Blazing Star BBQ Pork’n Rub. Used as the second layer, this rub brings raw cane sugar for caramelization and cumin for depth. The cumin adds warmth and complexity without pushing the ribs into heavy spice territory.
• Brown sugar. Added during the wrap to help create a natural glaze and support tenderness.
• Blazing Star BBQ Original BBQ Sauce. Brings balanced sweetness, light vinegar, and smoke to the wrap without dominating the ribs.
• Heath Riles BBQ Hot Honey Peach BBQ Glaze. Adds fruit-forward sweetness and mild heat that pairs especially well with pork and cumin-based rubs.

Smoker Setup

These ribs were cooked on the Smokin Brothers “30” Premier Plus Pellet Grill.

• Fuel: Royal Oak Charcoal and Hickory Blended Pellets
• Cooking temperature: 275°F

Pellet grills perform best when the lid stays closed. Once the ribs go on, let the cooker maintain steady heat and resist the urge to check too often.

The Process for Cooking With Friends Ribs

Prep and season

Trim excess fat and thin flap meat from the ribs. Instead of removing the membrane, lightly score it. This allows it to tighten and break down during the cook without affecting texture.

Season the meat side first with Heath Riles BBQ Garlic Jalapeño Rub, followed by Blazing Star BBQ Pork’n Rub. Let the ribs rest for 15–20 minutes to sweat. Flip and repeat the seasoning process on the bone side, then rest again.

Smoke the ribs

Place the ribs bone-side down on the smoker and cook at 275°F for about 1 hour and 30–45 minutes. Look for good color, light bone pullback, and a surface that passes the smear test.

Wrap for tenderness

Prepare a wrap using approximately ¼ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup Blazing Star BBQ Original Sauce, and ¼ cup Heath Riles BBQ Hot Honey Peach BBQ Glaze per rack.

Place the ribs meat-side down into the wrap and return them to the smoker.

Finish to tenderness

After about 45 minutes, begin checking internal temperature and feel. The ribs should finish between 200–208°F, probing with little resistance. When the meat relaxes and the probe slides in smoothly, they’re ready.

Remove the ribs and let them rest for about 20 minutes before slicing.

The Results

These Cooking With Friends ribs come off the smoker juicy, evenly cooked, and full of layered flavor. The garlic and pork rubs build a savory base, the wrap adds just enough sweetness, and the peach hot honey brings a subtle fruit note that doesn’t overpower the meat.

They’re tender without falling apart, slice cleanly, and deliver a classic barbecue bite that works for nearly everyone.

Serving Suggestions

These ribs are rich, balanced, and built around classic barbecue flavors, so they pair best with familiar sides that complement rather than compete.

For a complete backyard spread, serve them alongside proven Heath Riles BBQ favorites:

• Maple Honey BBQ Baked Beans | Heath Riles BBQ — sweet, smoky, and hearty, these beans echo the brown sugar and peach notes used in the rib wrap.
• Easy Classic Coleslaw | Heath Riles BBQ — crisp and refreshing, this slaw cuts through the richness of the ribs and resets the palate between bites.
• Classic Southern Potato Salad | Heath Riles BBQ — creamy, tangy, and familiar, this is a natural pairing for ribs cooked low and steady.
• Honey Hot Jalapeño Cornbread | Heath Riles BBQ — slightly sweet with a gentle jalapeño kick, this cornbread complements the garlic, cumin, and peach flavors in the ribs.

Together, these sides create a balanced plate that keeps the ribs front and center while rounding out the meal with classic barbecue comfort.

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover ribs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheat gently on the grill or in the oven, wrapped loosely in foil. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it softens the bark and can dry out the meat.

Final Thoughts

These Cooking With Friends ribs are a perfect example of how understanding seasoning, temperature, and tenderness can elevate a simple backyard cook.

They don’t rely on gimmicks or rigid rules — just solid technique, good ingredients, and letting the ribs tell you when they’re done. If you’re looking for ribs that are easy to replicate and consistently satisfying, this recipe belongs in your rotation.

Equipment and Tools

Smokin Brothers “30” Premier Plus Pellet Grill, Royal Oak Charcoal and Hickory Blended Pellets, Tongs, Aluminum Foil, ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE, Cutting Board, Heat Resistant Gloves, Sharp Knife