Cooking pork ribs can be a bit overwhelming, from deciding what kind of ribs you want to prepare to the slew of different cooking methods. One of the best approaches is the 3-2-1 method, a formula (rather than a specific recipe) that's adaptable based on what kind of ribs you're cooking and how you like them done.

In the 3-2-1 method, pork ribs get a flavorful rub and go into the smoker for three hours of low-and-slow heat. The smoked ribs are then wrapped in peach butcher paper or aluminum foil and returned to the heat for another two hours, then unwrapped, slathered in barbecue sauce, and returned to the smoker for one final hour.

The combination of smoke, wrapping the ribs so they don't dry out, and finishing with sauce is a winning method for turning out perfectly tender pork ribs, but the 3-2-1 formula can also be adapted. For example, a "2-2-1" method may be better for baby back ribs, since they're smaller and leaner than spare ribs or St. Louis style ribs.