Carnivore Smoked Beef Ribs

Prep: 5 min Cook: 360 min Total: 365 min Servings: 4
Annie Lampella @ Ketofocus

By Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Published August 15, 2020 • Updated February 1, 2026

Reader Rating
5 Stars (5 Reviews)
5 Ingredients or LessCarnivoreDairy FreeEasyKid Friendly

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

After years of experimenting with my Traeger, I've landed on this dead-simple method for smoked beef ribs that my family now requests every time we fire up the grill. No complicated rubs, no fancy techniques - just salt, smoke, and a little patience. These come out fall-off-the-bone tender with a beautiful bark every single time.

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Carnivore Smoked Beef Ribs

5 (5) Prep 5m Cook 360m Total 365m 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds beef ribs (I get mine from the meat counter, not pre-packaged—ask for beef back ribs with good marbling. The fat is what makes them tender.)
  • generous amount of salt for seasoning (option to use garlic salt and pepper)
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Step by Step Instructions

Step by Step Instructions

1
Season the ribs

Season the ribs generously with salt on all sides. I do this right before they go on the smoker, but if you have time, salting them an hour ahead and letting them sit uncovered in the fridge gives you an even better bark.

beef ribs covered in a dry rub of salt
2
Smoke ribs

Turn pellet grill to smoke and let run with the door open until the initial heavy smoke clears- this usually takes about 5 minutes.

pepper and garlic salt
Tip That first burst of smoke can leave a bitter, acrid taste on your meat (it's called creosote), so I always wait for clean, thin blue smoke before adding my ribs. Once the smoke is running clean, add your beef ribs bone-side down.
3
Slow cook

After 30 minutes, turn the heat to 250 degrees and let cook for 2 hours.

beef ribs racks on a traeger grill
Tip This temperature is the sweet spot for beef ribs. It's hot enough to render the fat and break down the tough collagen into gelatin (that's what gives you that melt-in-your-mouth texture), but low enough that the meat won't dry out or toughen up.
4
Spray with apple cider vinegar and beef broth mixture

Combine the beef broth and apple cider vinegar in a spray bottle or a small bowl. After 2 hours, spray or baste the ribs with the beef vinegar mixture until coated.

traeger grill temperature knob set at 250 degrees
Tip This will help keep the ribs from drying out, but it does more than that - the vinegar helps tenderize and contributes to building that gorgeous dark bark on the outside. The beef broth adds another layer of savory flavor that complements the smoke. I spray every hour on the hour; set a timer so you don't forget.
5
Cook until tender

Continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 195-203°F and the meat pulls away from the bones easily.

spraying beef ribs with a bone broth and apple cider vinegar mixture while they are cooking
Tip This usually takes about 6 hours total, but I always go by temperature rather than time. Insert your probe into the thickest part of the meat between the bones. When the probe slides in like butter with almost no resistance, they're done. If you feel any tug, give them another 30 minutes.
Nutrition Per Serving
660 Calories
45g Fat
63g Protein
0g Net Carbs
0g Total Carbs
4 Servings
Nutrition disclaimer

The nutrition information provided is an estimate and is for informational purposes only. I am a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); however, this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before making any lifestyle changes or beginning a new nutrition program.

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Keto Smoked Beef Ribs Recipe

picking up a cooked short rib by the fingers The Traeger grill was made for beef ribs. It creates a smoky flavor that is unbeatable when it comes to grilled ribs. This recipe starts with a simple dry rub of salt, garlic salt and pepper. The beef ribs are smoked on the pellet grill for thirty minutes then slow cooked over several hours. The collagen breaks down and the meat falls off the bone. These ribs disappear fast so make sure you snag a couple before the rest of your family gets them!

What’s the Difference Between Beef Ribs and Short Ribs?

Also called beef spare ribs and beef back ribs, beef ribs are cut from the rib section of a cow. They are the long ribs most often connected with BBQ beef ribs. They are cut from the upper section of the ribs. There are 13 ribs to each side of a steer. They are different from the short ribs which are cut from the plate of the cow. The two require different ways of cooking. Short ribs cook faster than beef back ribs, which require a low temperature and slow cooking time. I recommend braising short ribs to maximize their flavor and produce the most tender meat. Ribs cut from the loin are meatier. a rack of beef spare ribs on a cutting board

How To Buy Beef Back Ribs?

Unless you live in the Midwest or Texas, you may not be able to readily find beef spare ribs at your grocery store. I live in the Pacific Northwest and we only have them in at our local market around Summer time when everyone is grilling their meats. If you can’t find them pre-packaged, you will have to talk to your butcher about cutting you some special. Beef ribs can be trimmed to any size. Dino cut ribs are about 18 inches long or you can opt for the typical size of beef ribs which are 6 to 8 inches long. check rib temperature with a meat thermometer on a traeger grill

Beef Ribs on the Traeger

The best way to cook beef spare ribs is to cook them on a pellet grill. We have a Traeger Grill. It uses flavored wood pellets to create smoke which provides flavor to the meat while it cooks. It’s be best way to slow cook these ribs.

Importance of Keeping Ribs Moist While Cooking

Since the ribs will be slow roasting for a long period of time, it’s important to keep them moist to prevent them from drying out. Every hour you will want to spray or baste your beef back ribs with a mixture of beef broth and apple cider vinegar. This will also contribute to a delicious flavor. basting beef back ribs with a beef broth and vinegar mixture using a red rubber brush

Keto BBQ Sauce

While this beef back ribs recipe just uses a dry rub to season the meat, you can smother the ribs with a tangy sugar-free BBQ sauce after the ribs are done cooking. Dipping your ribs in sauce works just as good. If you don’t want to make your own BBQ sauce, there are some keto approved BBQ sauces commercially available. Primal Kitchens and Lillie’s Q both make sugar free BBQ sauces.
Carnivore Smoked Beef Ribs

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of grill if I don't have a Traeger pellet grill?

Yes, any smoker or grill that holds low temps works. Keep it around 225-250°F and add wood chips or chunks for smoke. A charcoal grill with indirect heat works great. The main thing is maintaining a steady low temperature for the full cook.

What can I substitute for beef broth in this recipe?

Chicken broth works fine. You can also use water with a splash of Worcestershire sauce. I keep the spray simple since the beef itself has so much flavor already.

How should I store leftover smoked beef ribs?

Wrap them tightly in foil and refrigerate for up to 4 days. They freeze well too - wrap in foil, then put in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Reheat low and slow in the oven at 250°F so they don't dry out.

What if I want to add more flavor to the ribs?

I keep it simple with salt, but garlic powder, black pepper, and a little paprika are nice additions. Skip the brown sugar since we're keeping this low carb. A mustard slather before the salt also helps the seasoning stick.

Are smoked beef ribs healthy?

Beef ribs are high in protein and fat with zero carbs, which makes them perfect for keto and carnivore diets. The fat keeps you full for hours. I serve them with a simple side salad or grilled veggies.

About the Author
Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Annie is a Doctor of Pharmacy, mom, and the recipe creator behind KetoFocus. With a B.S. in Genetics from UC Davis, she has over 14 years of experience developing family-friendly keto recipes based on the science of human metabolism.

Learn more about Annie View My Cookbook

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  1. Annie Lampella
    Annie Jun 2, 2025

    Thank you, Emma! Yes, I have a cookbook available for pre-order: https://www.amazon.com/Protein-Packed-Low-Carb-High-Protein-Longevity/dp/1628605642. It's full of simple, protein-rich, low-carb recipes (including smoked favorites!) all designed with longevity and flavor in mind. Hope you love it!

    Reply
  2. C
    Cynthia May 22, 2025

    I followed the recipe exactly and the ribs came out really juicy and tender. The smoky flavor after hours on the pellet grill was so good. Definitely worth the wait.

    Reply
  3. M
    Marcus T. Apr 10, 2025

    The ribs turned out super tender and flavorful. I used garlic salt and black pepper like someone in the comments suggested and it added a nice touch.

    Reply

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