Description

These Smoky Honey Garlic BBQ Ribs are a forgiving, flavorful, and beginner-proof recipe perfect for summer cookouts. They feature a tender, fall-off-the-bone texture achieved through a low-and-slow smoking method and a sticky, sweet-savory honey garlic glaze.

Ingredients

Scale

2 full racks pork spare ribs (about 4–5 lbs)
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon freshly cracked black pepper
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1 cup wood chips or chunks (hickory or applewood)
Heavy duty aluminum foil
Paper towels

Instructions

Remove ribs from fridge and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Remove the silver skin membrane from the back of the ribs using a knife and paper towel for grip. Pat ribs completely dry.
In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle generously over both sides of the ribs and massage the rub in. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight if possible.
Prepare a charcoal or gas grill for indirect heat at 275°F (135°C). For charcoal, pile coals on one side; for gas, light only one side. Place a drip pan on the empty side. Add soaked wood chips to coals or smoker box.
Place ribs bone-side down on the grill grate over the indirect heat zone. Close the lid and smoke for 1.5 to 2 hours until a dark color forms.
Remove ribs and wrap them tightly in two large sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil (Texas Crutch method). Place back on the grill bone-side down over indirect heat and cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour until tender.
While ribs wrap, combine honey, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened.
Unwrap ribs carefully (watch for steam) and place back on the grill bone-side down. Brush generously with glaze. Cook for 5-10 minutes, brush with another layer of glaze, and cook for another 5 minutes until sticky and slightly charred.
Remove ribs from grill and let rest on a cutting board for 10 minutes. Cut between the bones and serve with extra glaze.

Notes

Ensure the grill temperature stays around 275°F to prevent burning the sugar in the rub and glaze. The silver skin membrane must be removed for tender ribs. Ribs can be made ahead and refrigerated, or frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven wrapped in foil with a splash of liquid to maintain moisture.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 rack cut into 6 pi
Calories: 650
Sugar: 24
Sodium: 850
Fat: 42
Saturated Fat: 14
Carbohydrates: 28
Fiber: 1
Protein: 45

Keywords: BBQ ribs, honey garlic ribs, labor day meal, grilled ribs, pork spare ribs, easy bbq recipe, summer cookout, smoky ribs