Johnny Trigg Rib Recipe

Stewart Martha

8 Jun, 2023

Get Smokin' with Johnny Trigg's Rib Recipe: A Mouthwatering Guide to the Best Smoked Pork Spare Ribs You'll Ever Taste!

Johnny Trigg Rib

Publisher: Lofty Recipes
Cuisine: American
Category: Barbecue, Main dish, Pork
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 houre
Servings: 6
Calories: 500 calories

About this recipe

Johnny Trigg is a legendary barbecue pitmaster known for his incredible ribs. His recipe has become famous in the barbecue community and is highly sought after by fans and competitors alike.

Trigg's ribs are known for being tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. The recipe uses a dry rub made from a blend of spices such as paprika, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, cumin, and cayenne pepper. This dry rub is generously applied to both sides of the racks of pork spare ribs before they are slow-smoked over hickory or oak wood for three hours.

After three hours of smoking, the ribs are wrapped tightly in foil with a mixture of apple juice and brown sugar. This helps to infuse the ribs with even more flavor and moisture. The ribs are then smoked for an additional two hours, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Finally, the ribs are unwrapped from the foil and brushed with a mixture of honey and melted butter. This adds a touch of sweetness and richness to the already flavorful ribs. The ribs are smoked for an additional 30 minutes to allow the honey-butter mixture to caramelize and create a sticky, delicious crust.

The result is a mouthwatering plate of ribs that are both tender and succulent, with a perfectly balanced flavor profile. While Trigg's recipe may require some time and effort, the end result is certainly worth it for any barbecue enthusiast.

Recipe origin and background

Johnny Trigg is a legendary barbecue pitmaster who has won numerous competitions and awards for his ribs. He first began competing in barbecue competitions in the 1990s and quickly made a name for himself with his delicious ribs.

Trigg's rib recipe is a product of years of experimentation and refinement. He has tried various techniques and ingredients to perfect his recipe, and it has become one of the most highly regarded rib recipes in the barbecue world.

Trigg's recipe has been shared and adapted by many other pitmasters and home cooks over the years, and it has become a classic and iconic recipe in the world of barbecue. Today, you can find many variations of Trigg's rib recipe online and in cookbooks, but the essence of the recipe remains the same: tender, juicy ribs with a smoky, sweet and savory flavor profile.

Why make this Johnny Trigg Rib recipe?

Delicious flavor: Trigg's recipe uses a blend of spices and a combination of apple juice, brown sugar, honey, and butter to create a complex and delicious flavor that will make your taste buds sing.
Tender, juicy meat: The slow smoking process and the addition of the apple juice and brown sugar help to keep the meat moist and tender, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Perfect for entertaining: Ribs are a great option for a barbecue or gathering with friends and family. They're easy to share and always a crowd-pleaser.
Competition-worthy: Johnny Trigg is a highly regarded pitmaster who has won numerous competitions with this rib recipe. By trying his recipe, you'll be able to see why it's so highly regarded in the barbecue world.
Satisfaction: Cooking and enjoying Trigg's recipe is a satisfying experience, whether you're a beginner or an experienced pitmaster. You'll be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor and the satisfaction of knowing that you've created a delicious dish that your friends and family will love.

What does Johnny Trigg Rib taste like?

The taste of Johnny Trigg's rib recipe is a perfect balance of smoky, savory, and slightly sweet flavors. The dry rub used on the ribs includes a blend of spices such as paprika, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, cumin, and cayenne pepper, which creates a warm and complex flavor profile with a hint of spiciness.

The ribs are slow-smoked over hickory or oak wood, which imparts a rich and smoky flavor to the meat. The addition of apple juice and brown sugar in the foil wrap helps to create a caramelized and slightly sweet glaze on the meat.

Finally, the honey and butter mixture brushed onto the ribs during the final stage of smoking creates a sticky and delicious crust on the outside of the ribs, adding a touch of sweetness and richness to the already flavorful meat.

The end result is a plate of ribs that are tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor. The taste of Johnny Trigg's rib recipe is often described as a mouth-watering combination of smoky, spicy, sweet, and savory, making it a favorite among barbecue enthusiasts and fans of delicious, flavorful meat.

What is in Johnny Trigg Rib?

Pork ribs: You'll need 2 racks of pork spare ribs, about 3-4 pounds total.
Yellow mustard: Used as a binder to help the dry rub adhere to the ribs.
Dry rub: The dry rub is made with a blend of spices, including brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cumin, and black pepper. This adds flavor and helps to create a caramelized crust on the ribs.
Apple juice: Used as a spritz to keep the ribs moist and add flavor.
Butter: Melted butter is added to the apple juice spritz for extra richness and flavor.
Barbecue sauce: Optional, but many people like to serve their ribs with a side of barbecue sauce for dipping.

Equipment required for this recipe

Smoker: The ribs are smoked over low heat, so you'll need a smoker to cook them properly. You can use a charcoal smoker, an electric smoker, or a pellet smoker, depending on your preference and experience level. Possible substitutes: If you don't have a smoker, you can try cooking the ribs on a grill over indirect heat or in an oven using a low and slow cooking method. However, the final product may have a different flavor and texture.
Wood chips: Wood chips are added to the smoker to create smoke, which adds flavor to the ribs. You can use any type of wood chips you like, such as hickory, apple, or cherry. Possible substitutes: If you don't have wood chips, you can try using wood chunks, wood pellets, or even dried herbs or tea leaves to create smoke.
Aluminum foil: The ribs are wrapped in aluminum foil during the cooking process to help keep them moist and tender. Possible substitutes: If you don't have aluminum foil, you can try using parchment paper or butcher paper instead.
Digital thermometer: It's important to monitor the temperature of the ribs to ensure they're cooked to perfection. A digital thermometer will help you keep track of the temperature. Possible substitutes: If you don't have a digital thermometer, you can use an instant-read thermometer or a meat thermometer to check the temperature.

How to make Johnny Trigg Rib

Looking for the best Johnny Trigg rib recipe? Learn how to make mouthwatering smoked pork spare ribs with a secret dry rub and spritz.

Ingredients

2 racks of pork spare ribs
1/2 cup of granulated sugar
1/4 cup of kosher salt
1/4 cup of paprika
1 tablespoon of chili powder
1 tablespoon of onion powder
1 tablespoon of garlic powder
1 tablespoon of black pepper
1 tablespoon of cumin
1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
1/2 cup of apple juice
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1/4 cup of honey
1/4 cup of butter

Instructions

Combine the sugar, salt, paprika, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, cumin, and cayenne pepper in a bowl to make the dry rub.
Rub the dry rub onto both sides of the racks of ribs, and let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
Preheat your smoker to 225°F. Smoke the ribs for 3 hours, using hickory or oak wood for smoke flavor.
After 3 hours, remove the ribs from the smoker and place them on a sheet of aluminum foil. Pour the apple juice over the ribs, and then sprinkle them with brown sugar. Wrap the ribs tightly in the foil and return them to the smoker.
Smoke the ribs for an additional 2 hours.
Remove the ribs from the foil and brush them with a mixture of honey and melted butter. Return the ribs to the smoker and smoke for an additional 30 minutes.
Remove the ribs from the smoker and let them rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

How to serve Johnny Trigg Rib

Let the ribs rest: Once the ribs are finished cooking, it's important to let them rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful final product.
Slice the ribs: Use a sharp knife to slice the ribs into individual portions, with two or three ribs per portion. Make sure to cut between the bones to avoid shredding the meat.
Serve with barbecue sauce: While Trigg's rib recipe is delicious on its own, many people like to serve their ribs with a side of barbecue sauce for dipping. You can use your favorite store-bought barbecue sauce or make your own from scratch.
Add sides: Ribs pair well with a variety of sides, such as corn on the cob, coleslaw, baked beans, mac and cheese, or potato salad. Choose sides that complement the smoky, savory flavors of the ribs.
Serve and enjoy: Once you have everything ready, it's time to serve the ribs to your guests. Arrange the ribs on a platter or individual plates and serve with the sides and barbecue sauce. Enjoy the delicious flavors of Johnny Trigg's rib recipe!

Rated: 5.0 of 5.0 from 94 reviews.

Recipe Tags: Johnny Trigg Rib, Johnny Trigg Rib Recipe, Recipe, Top rated

What to serve Johnny Trigg Rib with

Coleslaw: A classic side dish that complements the savory and slightly sweet flavors of the ribs. You can make a simple coleslaw with cabbage, carrots, and a vinegar-based dressing.
Baked beans: Another classic barbecue side dish, baked beans are rich and flavorful and can be made with bacon, onions, molasses, and other delicious ingredients.
Corn on the cob: Grilled or boiled corn on the cob is a perfect side dish for ribs. The sweetness of the corn pairs well with the savory and smoky flavors of the meat.
Mac and cheese: Creamy and indulgent, mac and cheese is a crowd-pleaser that everyone will love.
Potato salad: A cold and refreshing potato salad is a great side dish for hot summer days. You can make it with boiled potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, and herbs.
Grilled vegetables: Grilled vegetables such as zucchini, bell peppers, and onions are a healthy and delicious side dish that adds some color and variety to the meal.

My recommendations and tips

Use quality ingredients: To get the best possible flavor from your ribs, it's important to use high-quality ingredients. Choose fresh, meaty pork ribs and high-quality spices and seasonings for the dry rub.
Invest in a good smoker: Smoking the ribs is a critical step in the recipe, so investing in a good smoker is key. You can use a traditional charcoal smoker, an electric smoker, or a pellet smoker, depending on your preference and experience level.
Don't rush the cooking process: To get tender, juicy ribs, it's important to take your time with the cooking process. Low and slow is the key to success, so plan to cook the ribs for several hours at a low temperature, allowing the smoke and heat to work their magic.
Keep an eye on the temperature: Temperature control is important when smoking ribs, so make sure to monitor the temperature of your smoker throughout the cooking process. You can use a digital thermometer to keep track of the temperature of the meat as well.
Let the ribs rest before slicing: Allowing the ribs to rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving helps to ensure that the juices are evenly distributed throughout the meat. This makes for more tender and flavorful ribs.
Experiment with different sides: While there are many classic sides that pair well with ribs, don't be afraid to get creative and try something new. You may discover a new favorite combination!

Potential ingredients substitutes

Pork ribs: If you can't find pork spare ribs, you can use baby back ribs or beef ribs instead.
Yellow mustard: If you don't have yellow mustard, you can use any other type of mustard as a binder for the dry rub. Alternatively, you can skip the mustard and apply the dry rub directly to the ribs.
Dry rub: You can customize the dry rub to your taste by adjusting the amounts of each spice or using different spices altogether. For example, you can add smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, or mustard powder for extra flavor. You can also use a pre-made rub from the store.
Apple juice: If you don't have apple juice, you can use pineapple juice, orange juice, or even beer as a spritz for the ribs.
Butter: If you're looking for a healthier alternative to butter, you can use olive oil or coconut oil instead.
Barbecue sauce: If you don't have barbecue sauce, you can use hot sauce, ketchup, or honey mustard as a dipping sauce for the ribs. Or, you can skip the sauce altogether and let the flavor of the dry rub and smoke shine through.