Smoked Rack of Pork

Declare your master of the grill status with this incredibly juicy Smoked Rack of Pork that will instantly activate drooling with the first dripping slice. Smoky, meaty, savory, and impossibly tender, this impressive bone-in pork rib roast will have you skipping the fork and knife and gnawing straight from the bone. Just be warned, you might need a bib.

Smoked pork roast sliced and on a blue plate

Say goodbye to the sad, gray, and tough pork that traumatized a few childhoods. This simple method combines the low-and-slow magic of smoking with a quick sear, delivering tender, juicy pork rib roast every time.

Serve this up alongside Grilled Acorn Squash, Smoked Baked Potatoes and Fennel Apple Slaw, or with a spoonful of Cranberry Chimichurri.

Why This Process Works

  • Super Simple. Season, smoke, sear, and you’re done. As long as you’re paying attention to the internal temperature, this is a fool-proof way to smoke a pork roast.
  • Leftovers are Amazing. Even if you’re cooking for 2, this recipe is worth it. The smoked pork chops taste incredible the next day, and stay extremely juicy.
  • Juicy Meat. Did I mention this is a juicy recipe? Try it and you’ll see, there will be no overcooked pork on the plate.
Blue plate with smoked slices of pork

Key Ingredients

  • Pork Roast (3-5 pounds)
  • BBQ Seasoning – Recommendations below, but use what will complement the overall meal.
  • Binder – Mustard or hot sauce can be used, but this is optional.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar for spritzing

Pork can carry any flavor that you throw at it, very similar to chicken. Use your favorite seasoning, or try one of my recommendations below:

  • Sedona Sand All-Purpose – Use this for deep, smoky flavors from the chiles, layered with garlic and herbs. This rub has southwest flavors and is sugar-free.
  • Smoked Ham Rub – This recipe has classic flavors for smoked pork, including plenty of brown sugar for a delicious crust. Make sure to lightly salt the pork roast before applying this rub, as the recipe itself doesn’t have salt (designed for cured ham).
  • Nashville Hot Seasoning – Lean into the spicy life with this rub. It’s more sweet than Scorching Sun All-Purpose, filled with classic flavors and plenty of cayenne.
This is a large trimmed rack of pork, unseasoned.

Variations

Preparing The Pork Roast

  1. Trim the rack of pork to prevent flare-ups. Remove excess fat, little bits of uneven meat, and silver skin. If your pork rib roast has a fat cap, slice a crosshatch or diamond pattern into it. This will allow the seasoning to permeate the meat while also preventing the fat cap from splitting during the cooking process.
  2. Remove the excess meat and cartilage from the between the bones. This term is called Frenching. Many roasts will come already Frenched but it doesn’t take long just to clean up the bones a little. This will allow for a gorgeous presentation and let the meat cook evenly. Plus once sliced your chops will have a built-in handle. We won’t judge if you use it.
This rack of pork is dry brining with the seasoning.
  1. Season the pork generouslymaking sure that all sides are evenly coated in seasoning. This is a large roast, so feel free to use extra seasoning to cover all of the surface area.
  2. Allow the pork to rest. Place the pork on a baking sheet or wire rack fit into a baking sheet and let it refrigerate for at least two hours. If you have the time it’s best to allow it to refrigerate overnight. This will not only deeply season the meat but will also allow the rub to set and adhere to the pork.

The process of dry brining also gives you that juicy bite as the salt in the rub draws the juices out of the pork before the pork reabsorbs it, allowing it to retain its natural moisture during the cooking process.

Smoked rack of pork is ready to come off and rest.
  1. Smoke the pork roast. Preheat the smoker to 250°F. This process will be the same for a pellet grill or a charcoal grill, just make sure the pork is cooking indirectly, away from the coals. Close the lid and allow the pork to cook undisturbed for an hour.

Spritzing is optional but can prevent dry spots. Check the rack of pork after the first house and spritz the edges lightly with apple cider vinegar. You may need to do this twice.

  1. Remove the pork when it reaches 125°F. Depending on the size of your bone in pork roast it should take a couple of hours. Make sure that you check the internal temperature from the center and thickest portion of the roast, not touching the bones.
Rest the smoked rack of pork before slicing in, for at least 10-15 minutes.
  1. Sear the rack of pork to finish. If using a charcoal grill adjust the vents and let the grate heat up. If using a pellet grill increase the temperature of your grill to between 400-450°F.

    Place the roast back on the grill and allow it to sear on all sides. When it reaches 140°F internally remove it from the grill. Make sure you’re checking with an instant-read thermometer!
  2. Rest the meat. The pork will continue to cook as it rests. You’ve worked hard to ensure you’re serving up a succulent bite of pork, so let those juices redistribute into the meat. You’ll want to let it rest for at least 10-15 minutes. Then slice up your chops and enjoy! You’ve earned it!
Use Sedona Sand All-Purpose Seasoning on your smoked rack of pork.

Important Tips

  • Not all racks of pork will have a fat cap. If yours does, make sure to score it so your seasoning can penetrate the meat. This will also prevent it from splitting during the cooking process. If your pork doesn’t have a fat cap, no worries, it will still be incredibly flavorful and juicy, and the seasoning will more evenly permeate the meat.
  • Use wood that compliments the mild, delicate, lightly sweet flavor of pork. Fruit woods are exceptionally perfect for pork. Applewood and cherry are classic options. Other woods such as pecan and maple will also give a slightly sweet note. For a bolder smoke flavor, hickory is a great option. Think hickory smoked bacon. Oak would is also a great option and falls in the middle flavorwise, bolder than a fruit wood, but not as bold as hickory.
  • The longer you can allow your roast to dry brine, the better. Allow for at least two hours but you can let it go up to 24 hours, especially for a larger 8-10 bone roast. There are three benefits to dry brining your pork rib roast. It allows the seasoning to adhere and set. It deeply seasons the meat, and it keeps the meat juicy.
  • This same method can also be used on a gas grill. Preheat your gas grill to 250°F, not lighting all of the burners. Place a foil pack with wood chips over the direct heat and allow it to begin smoldering before placing the pork on the indirect side. The rest of the instructions will be the same.
  • If you decide to glaze your pork, do it towards the end of the cooking process to prevent any sugars from burning and becoming acrid.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to smoke a rack of pork?

Always cook to temperature, not necessarily time. It depends on how large your roast is. A larger roast such as a 4-5 bone roast should take over two hours. For a larger roast like a 8-10 rib roast plan on at least four hours. You want to pull the roast off when it hits 140°F.

Can you smoke a rack of pork at 225°F?

Yes, however smoking at 250°F will not only cut down on the cooking time but give you the best results for both flavor and texture. Smoking at a lower temperature will leave the fat more gelatinous and doesn’t render it as well. Smoking the pork at 250°F will still give you a great smoke flavor while also helping to render the fat. Plus, you’re on your way to that Fred Flinstone gnawing-on-the-bone bite a little faster.

What size rack of pork should I buy?

You will want to allow at least one bone per person.

Do I need to use a binder for a smoked rack of pork?

No. If you allow the seasoning to refrigerate, or dry brine, on the pork chop a binder isn’t necessary. However, you can use one if you like. It will add a slight layer of flavor but not be the predominant flavor.

What is the difference between a rack of pork and a crown roast of pork?

They are both the same cut of pork. A crown roast of pork is made up of pork racks of ribs that have been tied together to stand upright, forming a crown.

Thank You For Trying Our Recipe!

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Featuring this juicy smoked rack of pork.

Smoked Rack of Pork

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Declare your master of the grill status with this incredibly juicy Smoked Rack of Pork that will instantly activate drooling with the first dripping slice. Smoky, meaty, savory, and impossibly tender, this impressive bone-in pork rib roast will have you skipping the fork and knife and gnawing straight from the bone. Just be warned, you might need a bib.

  • Total Time: 4-6 hours
  • Yield: Serves 5-10

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pork roast, about 35 pounds
  • 2 tablespoons Sedona Sand Seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons mustard or hot sauce, used as a binder
  • Apple cider vinegar for spritzing

Instructions

Notes

  • Timing of cook will depend on the size of the roast. It will at least take 90 minutes on a smaller roast to reach the target temperature, and at least 2 hours for the larger roast.
  • Author: Brad Prose
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4-6 hours
  • Category: Pork
  • Method: Smoking
  • Cuisine: Dinner, Holiday Meal

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 335
  • Sugar: 0 g
  • Sodium: 1890.4 mg
  • Fat: 6.6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 0 g
  • Protein: 63.4 g
  • Cholesterol: 196.6 mg
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