What is the apple juice for in smoking ribs?

[johncoby]

I have see the 3-2-1 method of cooking ribs. It calls to splash the ribs with apple juice and wrap with foil for 2 hours.

What does the apple juice do? Can I use other juices?

 

[pineywoods]

The apple juice is the moisture the ribs will use to kinda baste themselves while in the foil. I think you could use a different juice but you may get a different flavor with it

 

[ronp]

What Jerry said.

It is called braising.

http://www.reluctantgourmet.com/braising.htm

 

[diesel fanatic]

I use 2 parts apple juice to 1 part beer. Put in the fridge over night, with onion slices, smashed garlic cloves, whole jalapenos, and black peppercorns to soak. Next day when I smoke then foil, use to braise.
After they're done, drain the juices from the foil, and mix in to my BBQ sauce.
DON'T WASTE THE JUICE!!!!! Especially after pulling apart a butt. Mix the juice with vinegar from pickled jalapenos, and use as a finishing sauce for pulled pork.

 

[graybeard]

Apple juice to pork is like cake is to ice cream! Apple juice really compliments the Pork flavor.

beard

 

[desertlites]

with this apple juice smoke-it's time to play-smokin is fun

 

[mulepackin]

I've used apple, cherry and orange all with good success, and different effect! It's good to experiment, I usually play with only one variable at a time though, to try to keep track of the results.

 

[nomorecoop]

Apple juice & Jack Daniels works great!

So does apple juice & Jim Beam!!

 

[flash]

And apple juice and Makers Mark

 

[earache_my_eye]

Or apple juice and Captain Morgan......

Guinness Draught is very interesting with brisket, too...

 

[smoking gun]

I knew there had to be something Jack Daniels was good for.

I'll save the beam for drinking.

 

[smokin_tarheel]

I like apple juice and rum. If I don't have rum I use beer.

 

[alx]

I spritz with apple juice when ribs sweat, as well as braise.If you like sticky sweet add honey and sugar to foil pouch.

 

[nomorecoop]

You & me both. People keep giving me fifths of JD as gifts (cause I like to drink). Little do they know that most of the JD goes to spritzing meat.

Can't beat Jim Beam for drinking. Course Early Times & coke is my fav.

 

[mikeh]

The last time I smoked ribs, I used a combination of Dr Pepper, apple juice, rum, and some apple cide vinegar for my braising fluid and it came out great. I had read about the Dr Pepper on here awhile back and decided to try it.

mike

 

[bmudd14474]

I like using Pineapple Orange Juice.